Modola Cites Michael Jackson As Her Biggest Music Inspiration

Italian-based Nigerian singer, songwriter, and dancer Modola, has revealed that late pop icon Michael Jackson was her biggest inspiration.

She said she was inspired not only by his stage performances but also by how he handled pressure and approached his creative process.

Speaking on the Culture Daily show on 3Music TV on Thursday, Modola said she spent time studying some of music’s greatest performers online after deciding to pursue music professionally last year.

She said she likes spending time on YouTube and on social media to learn from music icons, whom she described as the best, such as Michael Jackson.  

“I learned everything. I like spending time on YouTube and on social media to learn from the icons, the best,” she said.

Modola said what drew her most to Michael Jackson was not just his performances on stage but the discipline behind his artistry.

According to her, studying Jackson helped her understand her emotions and become more comfortable with herself as an artiste.

“I don’t think it is the energy, which is what we see on stage. I think it is process. The way he handles pressure as well,” she said.

Modola also mentioned Louis Armstrong, James Brown, and Aretha Franklin as artists she admired.

The singer also described herself as naturally stubborn and driven, saying she has always believed she would become successful despite resistance from others, including her parents.

“I’ve always told myself I’m going to be big. Whenever you tell me this is not possible, that’s when I want to make everything possible,” she said.

Modola, who grew up in Italy, said her love for entertainment started at a young age through dancing and singing in school.

She recounted how classmates and teachers encouraged her talent, leading to the creation of a student entertainment platform called Monkey Radio.

According to her, students from other classes would gather during breaks to watch her perform.