London’s Gospel songbird Olaedo Ibe released her brand new single, ‘Golden Skin’, yesterday (24th August) across various music platforms and the official music video came out today. Wrapped in a smooth Afrobeat vibe and R&B undertones, the single is taken from Olaedo Ibe’s third project, which is also called “Golden Skin”.
Featuring fellow UK gospel singer Rae Rae, ‘Golden Skin’ touches on sensitive topics such as colourism and skin bleaching but ends with a message of love, hope and self-acceptance. The single also makes a comparison between skin and gold, encouraging the listener to be happy the way they are. Olaedo Ibe’s favourite line of the song is the bridge which says:
“Whatever you were born in God has made a way for you to win.”
Initially, ‘Golden Skin’ was a source of self-encouragement for Olaedo and she sang to herself whilst working as a nurse. However, when she started working on Dermatology units, Burns and Plastic surgery, the focus of the single changed as she witnessed men and women use harmful products on their skin to lighten their skin tone. Her passion grew on this topic when she read a report by the World Health Organisation that indicated over 70% of Nigerian women use skin bleaching products, increasing the risk of skin cancer, liver damage, kidney damage and thinning skin.
‘Golden Skin’ is also used to create awareness about the British Skin Foundation to raise funds for skin research. The fundraiser has a target of £1000, where all funds will go directly to the British Skin Foundation which is the only UK charity to fund life-saving research into all types of skin diseases. If you would like to donate, you can do so by clicking here.
“Golden Skin is a special song to me. God used this song in my life to encourage me. I hope it encourages everyone“
Olaedo Ibe
Born in London to Nigerian parents, Olaedo started out singing in church and local events from a young age and quickly found her forte in combining music with words of empowerment that are relatable and touching to people, regardless of race, background and religious beliefs. Her crossover appeal gave her the opportunity to share the stage with Motown legend Peobo Bryson.
Olaedo Ibe released her debut EP, “Shine Like Gold” in 2015, which gained a nomination for the MOBO Premier Gospel Music and Urban Music award later that year. She followed up with her second EP, “Grow to Glow” in 2018 which features ‘Lead Me’, ‘Good Life’, featuring Leke and Becca Folkes, and ‘Fill Us’ (a Children’s song). All three tracks from the EP claimed the top ten spot on the UK Christian Chart.
Check out the lyric video below:
To date, Olaedo Ibe has accumulated over 100,000 combined views on her YouTube channel, over 80,000 combined streams on Spotify and over 53,000 combined streams on Soundcloud. As well as being a Gospel Artist, she is also a registered nurse, is engaged in public health campaigns, creates Christian meditation videos and hosts the IG live show #YourHealthMatters. Stay up to date by following her on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok!
