The Sickle Sound of Hope – Excel Praiseworth

Excel Praiseworth’s mission to Educate and Inspire.

The Sickle Sound’—a symphony of hope, resilience, and triumph that will inspire, educate, and uplift you: https://fanlink.tv/SickleSong

Most sickle cell warriors have issues with relationships.

A lot of people are scared of dating people with sickle cell disease, and we are trying to break all those myths,

letting them know that sickle cell disease is not transmittable;

a child can only get it by birth if the parents have sickle cell genes.

Meet Excel Praiseworth, founder of ‘The Sickle Sound’ NGO.

Through ‘The Sickle Sound,’ Excel harnesses his musical prowess to educate people about sickle cell disease, dispelling misconceptions and stigma,

inspire hope and resilience among sickle cell warriors and their families, and foster a community of support, understanding, and empowerment

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His music, a soul-stirring blend of genres, echoes with the authenticity of someone who has walked the path of pain and emerged triumphant.

Each note, each lyric, and each melody conveys the message that sickle cell disease may shape our experiences but does not define our worth.

In this exclusive interview, Excel opens up about his life, art, and advocacy, sharing more insights into his vision for ‘The Sickle Sound’,

and its impact on the global sickle cell community, the challenges and triumphs of living with sickle cell disease,

the power of music in his life and advocacy, and the role of society and faith-based communities in supporting Sickle cell warriors.

Join us as we explore the remarkable story of Excel Praiseworth and ‘The Sickle Sound’—

a symphony of hope, resilience, and triumph that will inspire, educate, and uplift you.

The Sickle Sound of Hope – Excel Praiseworth

DCM: Can we meet you?

Excel: My name is Toyin Kola-praiseworth, popularly known as

“Excel Praiseworth.”

I am a dynamic music producer, excellent singer/songwriter, multi-talented instrumentalist,

and I also function in the capacity of a music director.

Furthermore, I am the founder of ‘THE SICKLE SOUND,’

a non-profit organisation committed to promoting public awareness of preventive measures against the spread and replication of sickle cell disease through music.

Also, I am an educationist by discipline,

and I began my creative journey long before I graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 2016, where I was well-known for my musical prowess.

And I am passionate about helping people and delivering world-class creativity and excellence in my entire body of work.

The Sickle Sound of Hope – Excel Praiseworth

DCM: What inspired you to start ‘The Sickle Sound’ NGO, and what is the organisation’s mission and vision?

Excel: The Sickle Sound was inspired by the passion I have for warriors.

Whenever I see sickle-cell warriors, I just have this passion to carry their burden; to share their experience.

Also, I felt like, in the past, most sickle cell challenges were caused by ignorance;

however, in our generation today, we have a lot of information going around, and you can’t really use ignorance as an excuse anymore.

The idea behind ‘The Sickle Sound’ is to pass out information about the sickle cell disease—breaking myths about it and offering ways to prevent it.

At The Sickle Sound, we use music to promote public awareness of preventive measures against the replication of sickle cell disease.

Music is a universal language at every point in your life.

Whatever you are going through—a happy time, a bad time, or when you are moody—you can always attach that to music.

Music goes with every vibe and feeling.

Isaiah 30:29 KJV
[29] Ye shall have a song, as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goeth with a pipe to come into the mountain of the LORD, to the mighty One of Israel.
https://bible.com/bible/1/isa.30.29.KJV

So, I thought, since music is a universal language and I am a musician, why not make music my strong point of advocacy?

That is what inspired ‘The Sickle Sound’.

We want to take care of Warriors, teaching them how to navigate their body and understand how their bodies work, so they can live healthier lives.

And We want to educate parents; particularly young couples before they get married on how to go about their genotype check to prevent giving birth to sickle cell warriors.

Also, We also want to talk to children and teens to make them understand their genotype before getting into any relationship,

so they can prevent the replication of sickle cell disease.

In our advocacy, aside from the physical health aspect, we also want to cover the emotional, well-being, and relationship aspects.

Most sickle cell warriors have issues with relationships.

A lot of people are scared of dating people with sickle cell disease, and we are trying to break all those myths,

letting them know that sickle cell disease is not transmittable; a child can only get it by birth if the parents have sickle cell genes.

So, in sum, using music, since it’s a universal language, we put out the right information out there about sickle cell disease.

The Sickle Sound of Hope – Excel Praiseworth

DCM: How do you use your platform as a musician to educate people about sickle-cell anaemia and its effects?

Excel: Basically, I am a singer, songwriter, music producer, etc.

I harness all my skills, putting them together to create something beautiful.

For instance, ‘Sickle Song’, which is the first project at ‘The Sickle Sound’. It’s a song about my story and experience.

And that’s like my highest-streamed song so far.

So, with my wealth of knowledge and experience, I create music that contains timely information about sickle cell disease.

and, as you listen to the song, you are not just vibing to the tune; you are also learning in the process.

We put out a couple of tracks on our Instagram,

like the trigger songs, which educate the sickle cell warriors on what triggers their crises and how they can stay away from them.

Aside from sickle cell warriors, people who are also going through other chronic illnesses can relate to ‘Sickle Song.’

Listen to ‘Sickle Song’ here >>> https://fanlink.tv/SickleSong

So, I put all my skills together to create beautiful musical content that can educate and strengthen people.

DCM: Can you share a specific experience or Testimony of how your NGO has impacted someone’s life?

Excel: There has been a lot of feedback on our Instagram page, ‘The Sickle Sound.’.

Right now, all we’ve been doing is ‘virtual advocacy’—writing songs and creating videos to pass out the right information.

I remember a few people have reached out to me, sharing how through ‘The Sickle Sound,’ they now understand what sickle cell disease is.

So, this shows that a lot of people go about with misconceptions about sickle cell disease.

But, from our work on Instagram, we’ve been able to pass on the right information, and people appreciate us for it.

Even fellow warriors, through our good works on Instagram,

appreciate us for enlightening them better on the kind of lifestyle they should lead and the kind of drugs they should use and not use.

So, there have been a lot of testimonies.

And through ‘Sickle Song’, I can’t count the number of people who have reached out to me, saying the song is a song of strength.

You see when you are stranded on an island, for instance, and you just feel like you are the only one there, you will feel helpless and hopeless.

But, just imagine one day, you decide to shout for help, and then, from the other end of the island, you hear another person shouting for help.

Just that feeling when you realise that you are not alone in a particular situation is a form of comfort, and that’s what ‘Sickle Song’ does.

When fellow warriors listen to the song, they realise that they are not alone,

because it’s a ‘crazy’ feeling if you are going through something alone—you try to explain, nobody understands,

but once you know there is somebody out there that understands what you are going through,

that has already given you a form of comfort, and this is some of the ways ‘Sickle Song’ has impacted warriors around the world.

The Sickle Sound of Hope – Excel Praiseworth

DCM: What are some common misconceptions about sickle-cell anaemia that you hope to dispel through your work?

Excel: There are a lot, but let me just mention a few.

Firstly, saying sickle cell warriors don’t live beyond 20 is a very serious misconception.

If you live right—take care of yourself, take proper medication and diet—you will live a very long, healthy life.

Take me, for example. I am 30 years old, and I am living my best life.

I also know of a warrior who is 35. And I have even heard of warriors who are up to 60+ years old.

So, it’s a serious misconception to say sickle cell warriors don’t live beyond 20.

Secondly, some people think that when we get to a point in our lives, we will outgrow sickle cell disease.

Sickle cells are your red blood cells that are sickle-shaped. It is not something like a habit you outgrow. It’s your gene.

You can’t outgrow it. You can only manage it properly to a point where you can live a very healthy and stable life.

Another misconception is the one that says sickle cell disease is transmitted through contact.

So, some people feel like they cannot go close to a warrior so as not to contract sickle cell disease.

All these various forms of misconceptions are things I intend to clear using my platform.

DCM: How do you handle the emotional and physical demands of touring and performing while living with sickle-cell anaemia?

Excel: So, as a sickle cell warrior, one thing that will help you go far is understanding your body system.

Listen to your body—the signs of your body.

Most sickle cell warriors can’t really handle a 9-5 job,

not because of its long hours but because most 9-5 job structures don’t have favourable or flexible conditions for a sickle cell warrior.

I have a 9-5 job where I work remotely, but I do music full-time.

My job is amazing and flexible, but not every sickle cell warrior has the opportunity to get such a job.

So, most sickle cell warriors have to find a way of managing their own time and their source of income, and working remotely seems to be the best.

This brings me back to understanding your body.

One thing that has helped me maintain the balance of doing music independently is understanding my body.

A crisis wouldn’t just hit you, and you are like, “Oh my God, I didn’t see this coming.”

As a sickle cell warrior, you will know; your body will tell you.

You will feel the signs in your body if you are about to break down, and then you know that is the time you take the necessary precautions.

So, whenever I get those signs, I listen to them.

Once my body is giving me some signs when I’m about to embark on a project, I cancel it and rest or go for treatment.

I don’t wait to break down completely or have a crisis before I start the necessary treatment.

For someone like me, malaria is my major trigger.

So, once I get that sign, I go for treatment immediately.

That way, I am able to prevent the pain from starting.

And That way, I am able to create a balance in touring, musical performances, etc.

Also, I am not stubborn. And I don’t over-push myself when I should be resting.

I am also grateful for the flexible structure of my 9-5 job. That has helped a lot.

The Sickle Sound of Hope – Excel Praiseworth

DCM: What advice would you give to other artists who want to use their platform to raise awareness about social or health issues?

Excel: One piece of advice I will give to you is a general life hack: ‘Consistency’.

Just be consistent.

You might not have the ‘reach’ you want to have yet, but there is nothing you do in life that you are better at that does not involve consistency.

Just keep doing it.

Consistency builds prowess. You get better when you continue doing it.

It’s not until ‘200 billion’ people listen to your work before you can make a change.

One person can listen to your song, and that person’s life will be changed positively through it. That is what counts.

You may not have all the fame or spotlight, but you are impacting life.

Don’t let the structure of social media make you think you are not doing enough.

Just continue doing the good work you are doing.

Keep at it!

DCM: How do you think the church and faith communities can better support talented individuals living with sickle-cell anaemia?

Excel: This is a very amazing question. I think you should just encourage them by giving them platforms.

For example, when you spot talent, don’t subdue it.

Give them a chance to express, themselves because Christian creatives’ expression starts in the church.

Churches and faith-based communities should give them a platform.

If you are having programs and events, call them to share their story or perform their arts, be it in songs, dance, etc.

Let them showcase their gifts.

You may not need to give them all the money in the world; just give them a platform. Through that platform, they can receive more support.

Although I know sickle cell warriors’ drugs are very expensive, and they will also need financial support, I believe churches have a welfare system.

So, they can be more intentional about warriors.

However, if you spot talents, give them a platform to express them, because they may not find that platform out there.

Society has a lot of stereotypes about sickle cell warriors, so they just want to keep them behind the scenes.

But as a church or faith-based community, encourage their gifts, and they will get better at it.

The Sickle Sound of Hope – Excel Praiseworth

DCM: Could you also share with us your unforgettable testimony of God’s faithfulness and grace in your life and ministry?

Excel: So, I had my first music event this year for my 30th birthday, where I shared my major health testimony.

It’s a whole lot, but I will try and summarise it.

When I was 9 months old, I was diagnosed with Osteomyelitis, where the bone in my right leg was rotten.

It was my parents who told me all this, but I still see the scar on my leg.

So, as a 9-month-old baby, having a lot of health complications, the bones in my right leg were rotten,

and then they had to do surgery to remove the bone and fix metal in my leg to clean out the rotten bone.

On the day of the operation, as they opened my leg to clean the rotten bone, the doctor discovered something like a broomstick that ran from my knee to my ankle.

Having examined it, they realised that it was a new bone that was growing.

Now, that defiled every law of science, making the doctors wonder, “How come a new bone is growing beside the rotten bone?”

And so, instead of putting metal in my leg, they just took off the rotten bone and closed my leg up.

They said I might never be able to walk or go to school as a result, but I am thankful for the kind of parents I have.

My parents are the most amazing parents you can ever ask for.

My parents are strong in faith. I know they were the ones who gave me the strong faith foundation I have now.

My parents didn’t agree with the doctor’s conclusion.

They kept on praying and trusting God.

And guess what? Although I started walking a bit late, right now I am walking with my two legs; there is no metal in my leg.

I went to nursery, primary, and secondary school. I also went to the university and did my NYSC.

So, I lived my best life. I had an amazing childhood.

All through my primary school to early secondary school, I was fine. Then, at the age of 15, I started having crises, but that’s not what I am talking about.