Real reason we broke up KUSH – Lara George

Lara George began her musical journey in her alma-mater choir, Queens’ College, Yaba Lagos.

Years later, George transformed into a professional, whose inspirational style of delivery helped define the new sound and direction of Nigerian gospel music.

While studying Architecture at the University of Lagos, Akoka, George joined the fellowship music team on campus, where she met Ty Bello, Emem Emma and Dapo Torimiro.

Then the musical group called KUSH was born.

But just when the group was about to have a firm grip on the pulse of gospel music in the country, the unexpected happened – they broke up.

It was a shattering experience not only to the trio of Ty, Lara and Emem but also to their fans.

George in her recent interview said: “I was a bit upset about the KUSH break-up. I felt like I had put my whole life on hold just to accommodate KUSH but it ended that way. This made me decide never to do music again (smiles). Of course, as you know, that decision did not exactly last long.”

Ten years down the line, not much has been offered about what actually caused the break-up.

The much any of the four partners has ever let off was saying: “It just happened. We grew apart and it I think it happened for the better.”

But George, the “Ijoba Orun’ crooner, has eventually broken the ice.

She said: “Music at the time when KUSH started was a very difficult thing to do, particularly for three young professionals with so many career options. It was tough keeping things together at that time because the pressure the financial uncertainty brought took its toll on us as a group and everyone started to drift apart until we were no longer able to keep things going.”

However, George re-launched her music career with a solo debut album titled: “Forever In My heart,” and with the hit single: “Ijoba Orun.”

The much-celebrated album earned George several nominations and awards such as “Voice of the Year 2008” from the Nigeria Music Awards, as well as “Song of the Year” and “Female Artiste of the Year” of the Nigeria Gospel Music Awards 2009.