unDAREted

About unDAREted a.k.a Dare Art Alade



He has hosted a national radio show, sang live in front of millions, starred on a hit reality TV series and signed recording contracts with Sony BMG Africa and Storm Records and all this before he hit 25.

Dare Art Alade, whose full name Oluwadamilare' translates as the Lord has vindicated me', was clearly born to stand out from the pack. But the multi-talented performer insists he has had to work hard for every lucky break. I've had many setbacks in my life but every knock makes you a little stronger and I'm a sucker for turning things around. I realized early in life that if you don't do it for yourself, it won't be done for you. So don't believe the hype!



The Project Fame star, who came third in the singing competition but undoubtedly, stole the show, remains philosophical about missing out on first prize despite the outcry from Nigerian fans and even a few of the South African judges. Project Fame was just three months out of my life, he shrugs, and I think I achieved what I wanted to achieve because I kept my focus right. Ultimately you have to learn how to take rejection in this business and realize you re just one person in the grand scheme of things.



MY FOLKS



Being the offspring of renowned Nigerian entertainer Art Alade, Dare experienced some of the highs and lows of showbiz from an early age. He smiles when he recalls tagging along for some of his dad's gigs. There's this funny picture of me and my dad at a party reception, he's in this Scotch hat I'm in a little French suit. He's frowning at me and so was I, even though I was only knee-high. I guess it hadn't been a good evening to perform!

Dare grew up among three brothers (one set of twins and all the boys are left handed) and on the flipside, three (right-handed) sisters! All in a noisy house in Lagos filled with laughter and music. One of his fondest memories is of Sunday mornings when his parents would play works by classic composers while the kids could clean and vacuum. it was a Sunday ritual, the French windows open, air and light streaming in, listening to records by Handel, Haydn or the Westminster Abbey choir.

Classical Music ranging from church to opera to jazz- remained an integral part of Dare's life even after his father had passed away when he was just on the cusp of adolescence.

The year my father died was the year my voice broke, he reveals. I used to sing soprano in church but two months after he passed I was singing bass. I like to think of it as a metaphysical transition.



MY ACADEMICS



At University, Dare studied music and theatre but just before that he won a scholarship at age 16 to the USIS after playing the Pirate King in the Gilbert & Sullivan operetta Pirates of Penzance' at Queens College and later at Muson to rave reviews. Unfortunately the scholarship deal fell apart and he suffered another blow when he was accepted at Morgan State University in Baltimore, M.D. but was unable to raise the $18,000 admission fee.

Undeterred, dare joined the National Troupe of Nigeria Choir and then the Cathedral Choir at the Marina and started performing simultaneously in clubs. Already living alone at 17, he got a monthly gig singing alongside with the famous Olaitan The Heavwind' Adeniji. A very prolific sax player and African jazz musician at a The Cowry' at BJays Hotel near 1004.

It was just my flow because he used to play jazz and recite folklore, and while I liked pop and R&B my heart belonged to Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie and Louis Armstrong. I loved how jazz could make you feel, if you paid attention.



THE BEGINNING



One night after a show he was approached by a tall fellow called Chris Ubosi who had known of his father and who offered to buy him a drink. During their subsequent conversation, Dare randomly talked about his interest in radio. I had no idea Chris was the Oga' at Cool FM! I really liked that station because it sounded clean and they would mix hip hop and R&B with bands like Savage Garden and The Corrs. Chris invited Dare to try out at Cool Fm on his 18th birthday in February 1999, he joined the station. In less than Two years later he was hosting his own radio show. While being DJ at Cool Fm, Dare was also studying full time at the University of Lagos , doing live gigs, travelling and discovering other cultures. Mostly, he was learning about music.



I learned by listening, just using my ear and taking everything in. I learned the roots of music and also I kept up with the ties, so I can do classic and contemporary. I can vibe in the studio or perform opera on stage. Being versatile is my forte.



THE ULTIMATE (My Music)



Dare shows off this versatility on his debut, From Me 2 U, a flavourful mix of contemporary jazz, classic soul, club- friendly hip-hop R&B, Afro-swingers and even a little dancehall courtesy of Nigerian reggae maverick Blackky'. The mood ranges from rough and ready beats, deeply heartfelt lyrics that take you on a personal journey into the artist's mind and soul. Although the earliest songs were written and/or recorded before 2001, it s an album that he describes as 10 years in the making and he cant wait until it hits peoples homes.



EPILOGUE



I think I've already lived my dream, he says.' I've done the fame and paparazzi thing but that's not the part of the business I like. I don't want the Elvis stuff! I don't hope to get the large business because it comes with problems psychologically. Now I'm just excited for people to hear my album because that's what it's really all about; My love for the music.



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