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Aralola Olumuyiwa, popularly known as Ara Thunder, is a Nigerian female drummer, singer, and cultural ambassador. She was born on May 8, 1979, in Lagos State, Nigeria. Her parents, Chief and Mrs Gbadebo Olumuyiwa, are both from Ondo State, Nigeria.
Early Life
Ara Thunder was raised in a polygamous family with several siblings. She attended Aje Comprehensive High School in Lagos State for her secondary education. At a very young age, she began drumming at church and quickly developed it as a passion. Ara’s love for drumming made her stand out amongst her peers, and she started performing in various church concerts and events.
Career Beginnings
After secondary school, Ara Thunder decided to pursue her passion for drumming professionally. Her first interaction with renowned Nigerian percussionist, Babatunde Olatunji, whose music she had admired from childhood, was the beginning of her journey to her dream career.
Ara Thunder began combining traditional African drums with various musical genres, such as jazz, hip hop, and rock. This fusion created a unique sound that caught the attention of music lovers across Nigeria. She quickly became a sensation in the music industry, and in 2006, she became Nigeria’s first female talking-drummer to perform at the Nigerian House in New York City.
Music Discography
| Album | Year |
|---|---|
| Ara Thunder | 2004 |
| Imoore | 2006 |
| Osun Segese | 2008 |
| Ara Akube | 2014 |
Ara Thunder has also had collaborations with popular Nigerian artists such as Tuface Idibia, Olu Maintain, and Yinka Davies.
She has won several awards for her outstanding performances and cultural contributions, including the African Achievers’ Award for Excellence in the Culture and Music category in 2015. Her music has also been featured in numerous Hollywood films and TV series, such as ‘Sex and the City 2’ and ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’.
Personal Life
Ara Thunder is currently single and has not been publicly known to have been married. She is a private person and prefers to keep her personal life away from the spotlight.
She obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Lagos, Nigeria, and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology.
Ara Thunder’s Residence and Cars
Ara Thunder is reported to have a luxurious home in Lagos state and drives a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon SUV.
Net Worth
Ara Thunder’s net worth is estimated at over $2 million. In naira, her net worth is over NGN 800 million, CAD 2.6 million in Canadian dollars, GHS 13.1 million in Ghana cedis, KES 217 million in Kenyan shilling, ZAR 28.5 million in South African Rand, UGX 7.4 billion in Ugandan Shilling, and INR 145.8 crore in Indian rupees.
Ara Thunder’s net worth has been acquired through her successful music career and her various endorsements from brands such as Globacom, Coca-Cola, and PZ Cussons.
Connect with Ara Thunder
To listen to Ara Thunder’s music, visit her page on Boomplay. You can also follow her on her social media accounts:
- Facebook: Ara Thunder
- Twitter: @arathunderr
- Instagram: @arathunder
Overall, Ara Thunder’s contribution to Nigerian music and culture has been significant. Her unique sound and style have brought her international recognition, and she continues to inspire young people in Nigeria and beyond to embrace tradition while creating something new.