TY Bello: I wrote ‘Greenland’ during the darkest days of my life

TY Bello, the Nigerian singer, has opened up about the inspiration behind her hit song ‘Greenland’.

‘Greenland’ was released in 2008 as part of TY Bello’s debut album with the same title.

Contrary to popular interpretations that “Greenland” represents Nigeria’s potential as a fertile land, the photographer explained that the song was born out of her darkest moments.

“I wrote ‘Greenland’ on one of the darkest days of my life,” she confessed in a recent Instagram post.

Bello said then, she faced challenges in her photography career. She said after marrying and returning from a six-month residency with the South London Gallery, she encountered discouragement from people.

The songstress said she felt uncertain and defeated and questioned her future. She said it was during the moment of despair while driving across the Third Mainland Bridge that the lyrics of ‘Greenland’ came to her.

“As I was going home, heading towards the Third Mainland Bridge, everywhere looked dry. It looked like there was no green, no opportunity for me, that my idea was dead on arrival. So as I looked around me, I could not see an opportunity and this song came to me. I then sang it over and over, the more I sang it the more my spirit lifted,” she said.

“After that, I forgot the song for two weeks. I kept telling everyone I wrote this song about green and I can not remember it. Then one day after prayer, the song came back.

“I stood in the rain as the clouds went grey. I got this pic of that chaos that unleashed just before heavy rain. Everything is everywhere, the clouds are grey, and everything is dark. It did not look like a promise and it was God saying when it gets dark don’t get scared because my heavens are open to bless you.

“…I know there is no way on earth I could have written this song. Everything came to me in verses 1, 2, chorus, and bridge without me having to think about it or try to be creative. Because those were words I needed to put on my mouth to encourage me when I was starting something that seemed impossible.

“I did not have the finance, support, the right people yet I had a dream. Looking back now, I am realising that by next year this will have been 20 years ago and the truth is that I still maintain that the land is green. Not because I have it easy, flawless, and effortless but because God is the God of harvest. So when I sow in prayer I must reap in answers, when I sow in tears, I must reap in joy.”

Born Toyin Sokefun-Bello, TY Bello also released hits like ‘Ekundayo’, ‘This Man’, ‘Freedom’ and ‘Funmise’.