Before Stardom With… Temitope Racheal Eniola (Tope Peculiar)
August 8, 2026 12:00 am
Photo: Temitope Eniola, popularly known as Tope Peculiar
Could you briefly introduce yourself?
My name is Temitope Eniola, popularly known as Tope Peculiar. I received the call of God into the music ministry in 2004 and was given the name Peculiar.
Was being a musician a childhood dream?
Actually, being a musician wasn’t a childhood dream, though I had a passion for music right from childhood. However, I never thought of making a career out of it.
So what inspired you?
I wasn’t inspired by anyone. As I said earlier, I only had a passion for music, not a career in it. I listened to songs a lot. I led praise and worship in my local church. As a matter of fact, I wrote a book on praise and worship songs in 2003 before God called me into the music ministry in 2004, which was confirmed by different men of God. Even my boss at the time confirmed it because I joined a musical band in 2001 and served under him for three years before receiving the call in 2004.
Since then, how has the music ministry been?
I have faced a lot of challenges, and they are numerous. Let me start this way: In 2004, after I received the call into the ministry, I composed some songs and decided to go to the studio, but there was no money and no support coming from anywhere.
So I went to meet Evang. Dare Melody in his office at Palmgrove to help me actualise my dream. He introduced me to a producer, and the producer said I should go and raise a certain amount for both the studio session fee and his own fee as a producer.
I was at Olabisi Onabanjo University then. I went back to school, saved, and borrowed money here and there just to release the album.
Initially, the producer assured me that he would get a marketer for me, but as time went on, before production, he said he wanted to date me. I disagreed, so he became angry and frustrated me throughout the production.
I paid double the studio fees because the producer would intentionally not show up for booked sessions. Then, once the session we had booked expired, the money was gone. So, when we finally produced the songs, he gave me the master copy and told me to go and look for a marketer by myself, which wasn’t our initial agreement.
I walked the streets of Lagos looking for marketers, but they all refused to market my album. They said they don’t market upcoming artistes. Another marketer said he would only market it if I recorded a prayer song (orin adura). Because of this, I went back to the studio to record a prayer song. When I returned to the marketer, he still said he couldn’t market an upcoming gospel singer.
I was discouraged, so I stopped music production for two years.
In 2007, I decided to go to the studio again in Abeokuta and recorded two tracks. I didn’t have enough money to complete the album. After some months, having saved some money, I went back to the studio only to discover that the system used to record the songs had crashed.
There were a lot of challenges. My major challenge has been a lack of financial support, which also stopped the concerts I organised yearly – ARA NIGHT, a praise and prophetic night usually held in August, and DAVIDIC PRAISE, my annual music concert usually held in December.
But, to the glory of God, today I have released four albums: ILE OLOGO, JA SOPE, I AM PECULIAR, and OGO TON BORI OGUN.
What type of music do you really make?
I sing all genres of music. I am a versatile music minister.
How do you manage being a gospel singer and song producer?
There is actually no difference between being a gospel singer and a song producer. The only difference is that, as a song producer, you should be able to compose songs frequently, while, as a gospel singer, whatever song you sing should align with Scripture.
Has your journey to stardom deprived you of anything?
Well, stardom hasn’t deprived me of anything. Things have remained the same as they were even before stardom. I have always been a reserved person, even before stardom, and there are places I simply can’t go or be seen in as a Christian. This is still applicable even after stardom.
Do you still keep in touch with your old friends?
I don’t really make friends, right from childhood. So I won’t say I secluded myself from my old friends. Regardless of stardom, as a gospel singer, we should learn humility. Our current status should not make us feel better than those with whom we started life.
How have you been managing the advances from male fans?
It has been a very big challenge, especially in cyberspace. One needs the spirit of discernment. The majority come with ulterior motives, so I ignore them. Some even promise to sponsor my music career, but when they discover that I am not enticed by any of their offers, they give up.
What project are you working on currently?
I’m working on the celebration of my 22 years in the music ministry and the launch of my fourth and fifth albums.
Finally, what is your advice to others seeking to get into the music industry?
To every up-and-coming musician out there, my advice is: Don’t give up. Challenges are inevitable in the music ministry, except if you are not called by God. Hold on to God’s promises. More importantly, stay in your lane; don’t join the crowd; there is more to fame, and wait for God’s timing.
Chijioke Iremeka is a Senior Correspondent at Punch Newspapers with 19 years of professional experience. He has reported across multiple media houses in Nigeria, covering beats such as health, features, real estate, and insurance, and has received numerous journalism awards for his work. Chijioke’s reporting demonstrates extensive newsroom expertise, editorial judgment, and a dedication to truth, integrity, and excellence in journalism.
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