Prodigal Sons: From Church To The Streets
There is no doubt that the church has produced the finest of artistes, who now ply their trade in the secular world. But as saddening as it is, there seems to be no end to the trend of artistes cutting their teeth in the church and later moving to ‘greener pastures’ in secular music.
This piece x-rays some of such artistes we refer to here as ‘Prodigal Sons.’ Not all of them were born outside Nigeria, but they were all musically tutored in Nigeria and a good number of them are multiple award winners.
Watching Kirk Franklin and his likes gives a glimpse of what gospel music in Nigeria could have been if musicians like D’banj, KC Presh, J Martins, P-Square, Terry G, Ice Prince, MI and co. were still in the vineyard. As it is, the reverse is the case as these highly talented young entertainers are making waves in the secular music world.
For instance, Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo (aka D’banj) recalls that one of his best childhood memories was when he played the harmonica at the Winners Chapel (Living Faith) in Lagos. This was around the same time Segun Obe, who now does a bit of secular music, was leading the youth choir of Today. D’banj is now rocking the secular music and this has even taken him beyond the shores of Nigeria where he is currently rubbing shoulders with artistes of international repute.
One wonders how D’banj would have fared as the ‘Kirk Franklin’ of Nigeria given his verve, energy and charm that would have drawn more ladies to the church than to the nightclubs. And with Bro D’banj on the gospel scene, ‘Koko’ may have turned out to mean evangelism – ‘the Koko’ of Christian calling. With this, Christians may not have to explain to kids that ‘Koko’ is a bad slang.
Take the case of Gabriel Amanyi (aka Terry G), one of the most talented producers cum singers to spring from the church. But you dare not listen to his weird and sometimes lewd lyrics if you still want to be spiritually fit. The talented vocalist, for some years now, has been ruling the airwaves with his crazy lyrics and lifestyle and this would make you dispute that he had ever had any link with the church.
Terry G, who was also a chorister like D’banj in his parent’s church, came into the secular music scene years ago and has been the favourite of collabos ever since.
American-born Nigerian R&B artiste, Olubankole Wellington (Banky W), would have been capable of wowing even the stone-hearted to the Lord with his unique style of singing. At age five he was temporarily uprooted from America, his country of birth, to come have a solid educational foundation here, and at the age of eight he began singing in his church choir. But long gone are those days as his silky smooth voice, which earned him an impressive number of awards, does justice to love songs now.
As for the Senge menge crooners, KC Presh, they were the future of R&B gospel music in Nigeria, because they started their musical career with gospel music. Back then, they were once invited to perform at a church and the whole congregation was charged as a result of their electrifying performance. Little did we know the performance was their last as gospel musicians. One had envisaged the future of a group going to win souls for Christ with their God-given talents and ministry.
These guys, who won the first edition of Star Quest, were not known as choristers but church boys that would have lifted the glory of the church if they had stayed on in gospel music.
Rooftop MCs wouldn’t have been the only gospel rap guys in town if the ‘Chocolate Boys’ MI, Jesse Jagz and Ice Prince had continued to tread the line of gospel music. You wonder why? The Jos-born trio rose from the church. Panshak ‘Ice Prince’ Zamani started his musical career in the church choir alongside ‘Brothers’ MI and Jesse Jagz, whose father was pastor of the church.
While growing up, MI was able to see firsthand gospel musicians such as Panam Percy Paul, the Winners Band and the Footsteps Band. But they surely didn’t turn out to become his role models.
Good or Bad crooner, J Martins’ singing was also influenced by the church, and his mum being a choir mistress saw him travelling a lot which gave him exposure in various church choirs. There, he also learnt to play various musical instruments. One may totally not blame these guys, as so many reasons are adduced to their moving to secular music.
For instance, there is a general impression that there is no money in gospel music. Kehinde of Infinity fame once said that if upcoming acts should see some Christian musicians, they wouldn’t want to venture into the gospel genre. To some, recognition across the board matters a lot.
It is assumed that gospel artistes are not successful. They are not invited to shows and people don’t buy their songs, as they prefer the secular ones (though some gospel music is just a celebration of mediocrity). In Nigeria, artistes mostly make money from shows. You dare not rely on the sale of your albums. You sell one, but the Alaba boys sell 20!
Christian programmes do not help matters either. Helene Johnson, a comedian, once complained jokingly that “churches don’t pay well when artistes are called to perform in the church. All they tell you is that it is God’s work. But these churches pay honorarium to pastors. We often forget that these artistes are also ministers of the gospel.
We have seen people get born again after musical renditions.”
Organizers of awards and record labels hardly nominate gospel artistes for awards or sign-on gospel artistes. This may be another reason artistes do not consider going into gospel music. Nobody wants to do a business without making profit. Rooftop MCs once had their song rejected by an international award organizer because the song had versions of the scriptures in it.
To solve this problem, it is high time Christians started buying more gospel music, because if they don’t support their own, where else would they turn to? You cannot buy secular musicians’ CDs and neglect gospel music only to turn around and say Christianity is losing membership.
Christian artistes also need to up their act and do good music that can compete with their counterparts in the secular world. They shouldn’t do videos that would make viewers hiss. Infinity has shown that gospel musicians can do good videos. Get good producers (ID Cabasa is a born-again Christian), good directors, write good lyrics and do other things that would make Christians proud. It is time gospel musicians imbibed the spirit of excellence. Nobody said gospel music should not be taken high and above secular music.
Award organizers should also nominate gospel musicians. There is no reason Rooftop MCs should not be nominated for best rap, Jahdiel or Tim Godfrey for best vocal, Samsong and Segun Obe for best R&B.
Churches should also pay artistes well. The Bible says “A labourer is worthy of his wages.”
Gospel artistes should also aggressively promote their songs.
source: sunnewsonline.com
