Gospel singer Damilare Odunuga, popularly known as Dare Melody, has opened up about the difficult treatment his late wife, Adedoyin, faced from his family.
Known for gospel hits such as “Eru Jeje,” “Ologun Loluwa Ninu Irin Ajo Mi,” and “Stop The Storm,” Dare Melody has had a successful music career since the early 2000s, with Adedoyin standing by his side throughout.
The couple, who had been together for 16 years, officially married in October 2017 at the Ikoyi Registry. Together, they raised three daughters.
Adedoyin, who turned 47 just over a year ago, passed away on October 24 and was laid to rest at Adeyemi Abiona Close, Eruwen Ikorodu, Lagos, on Friday.
Speaking during her Christian wake held at his residence, Dare Melody paid a heartfelt tribute to his wife, describing her as a “pillar of his success” and the “type of woman anyone could ever pray to have.”
In an emotional video shared on Kilarigbo TV’s YouTube page, the singer revealed the challenges Adedoyin endured because of his family’s actions.
“My family frustrated Adedoyin,” he stated. “I’ll hold her and say, ‘Adedoyin, I’m the one you married, and whenever you see me, put your mind at rest.’ She was there for me, whether we had food to eat or not.”
Dare Melody recounted a difficult period in his career when a promoter tried to block his music from being played on the radio for nearly four years.
“I couldn’t do anything, but my late wife stood by me,” he said. “When people celebrated the New Year, I ate biscuits with her and our one-year-old daughter. I told the Lord, ‘If truly you’re the one who called me, let people know you did.’”
The breakthrough came in 2010 with his album Goodness and Mercy, which revitalized his career. “God opened the way for me, and I began building a house. A friend called me and said, ‘This woman stood by you; let’s build a house for her,’ and I said, ‘Everything I have is for her.’”