Meet Mariel Awoniyi | Creative

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mariel Awoniyi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mariel, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind any of my success is GOD. I am a living testament of the scripture John 15:5, because I can‘t do anything good without him. Everything good that I have done can be attributed to power higher than myself.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have overcome many challenges as they are part of life. One challenge that I have faced has been embracing my authenticity in a church-setting. I other words, sometimes I rap and I do it church. To my knowledge I am one of, if not the first person, to rap on Oakwood University Church’s stage. I delivered a Christian rap song at AYM (Adventist Youth Movement) my freshman year. While it seemed as if many were blessed by the song—one student even came to me claiming the rap verse touched him so much, he was in tears—- some also seemed to be offended, even enraged, by the rap, as HipHop is a genre that people sometimes frown upon in the church. While it was challenging to see myself being negatively referred to on social media, I have found that these things don’t bother me as long I am secure in my identity in Christ.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am simple man and Huntsville is a simple place. There’s not much to do. It’s not about what you do but who you do it with, in a place like Huntsville. So if my friend was visiting me in Huntsville, I must say, on Saturday afternoon, after we visit church, I would take them to my house for Sabbath dinner. Some of the best dialogue I have heard in my life was at my place of residence! I cannot describe it in words, it’s something you have to experience for yourself.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I dedicate this shoutout to my big Nigerian family: both of my parents, all three of my living grandparents, my aunts and uncles, my 5 siblings and all 21 of my cousins! I am a living testament of the phrase “it takes a village…”, I have been raised in an environment that not only epitomizes black-excellence, but keeps GOD at the center of all they do!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariawoniyi/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0UNQGNcfJ-VV-U9HOgAgaw

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mariawoniyi2 The link to my newest song, “Find Yourself” https://findyourself.8b.io/

Image Credits
Joshua Simpson Darryl Josiah