As you read this, Gospel Star, Lanre Teriba is in a celebration mood. This Sunday, 12th May, 2019 is his birthday and he plans to celebrate it big.
Though his real name is Lanre Teriba, everyone simply calls him Atorise. He is a big name in Gospel music. He is one of the few Gospel artistes who travel all over the world to perform, because his songs are in popular demand.
He was on tour to the US a few months back and he visited over 20 states; the longest trip recorded by any Nigerian artiste.
Recently, he went on another trip to the US and spent over 5 months. He also toured 17 states. A few months back, City People hosted him to a welcome party. The big news right now is that Atorise is celebrating his birthday this Sunday. Below is his interview with City People Online.
Can you tell us a bit about your recent trip?
Generally, I spent 5 months in America and I visited 17 states.
The last time I went on a tour was in 2008. I was in America for 6 months then and I visited 21 states in America. So I would be the only gospel artiste that would go on a tour and visit 21 states in America.
Looking at the states you visited and performances you had, how do you rate this your recent trip?
Yea, it was a unique trip because all the states I visited, I gathered different experiences and that I would use for my music in Nigeria here and I know by the time I started using it on my music it’s going to create different thing in terms of music generally.
A lot of people have spoken to attest to how God has used you for them. Can you tell us more about this?
The only thing I can say about that is, it’s for me to do my own and it’s for people to talk about it. So, a lot of people have been saying I did this, I did that for them but all I want to do in life is to have a good positive impact in human lives generally. That’s my vision and mission. I just want to have a positive impact in people’s lives.
We asked you because you built a prayer mountain and a lot of people are rushing there for prayers?
I only have a Prayer Mountain and it was built for public use. I know I have a vision to be a prophet of God. I have a calling.
How did you discover that?
I have been told right from the time I was born that I would work for God but I’m still contemplating either to be submissive to that or not but lately, God always shows me some powerful messages about people and after telling them it’s always coming to pass. So therefore, a lot of people usually tell me to give it a try but for now, I still want to remain relevant in the music world.
Let’s talk about your music career. How many years now?
I released my first album 1998 and to the glory of God, the first album is 20 years this year. And I have been singing for the past 30 years. After 10 years I started singing, God gave me the opportunity to release the first album which is Atorise.
How did you come up with the name Atorise?
I actually had that from my dream. God gave me that from my dream that go and sing for me because I come from a very poor family. Nobody has ever been rich in my family, the kind of my family I grew up from.
I’m from Isara Remo. Formerly, our family name happened to be Awomosu and God asked me to change that entire family name and I should tell them that they should bow down for him, that He’s going to work in the family. So that is the reason why everybody calls us Teriba.
The full name is Teribafoluwa.
