I Have Not Seen The Gospel Music Industry Of My Dream — fast rising gospel artiste, Aduke Gold shared her take on Nigeria gospel music industry

Her steady rise is not only an inspiration; even her
story from cradle is also a motivation, especially for
the younger generation. Gospel singer, Aduke Ajayi,
popularly known as Aduke Gold, in this interview by
SEYI SOKOYA, speaks about life and the industry,
among other things.


You have had a steady rise in the industry. How
has the experience been so far?

It is at the average level. I thank God I am no
more where I used to be, but I have not gotten to
where I am going. It was a bad and bitter
experience as a struggling singer. We are just
hoping that very soon the sweetness of God will
clear up all the bad experiences I have had in the
industry. In all, I thank God.


Can you share some of your bitter experiences?
Getting to a destination in life, especially a
successful one is never easy. When I started,
there were many people who did not believe that
it could get to this stage, except my uncle, Mr
Ajayi Aderohunmu, stood by me and my choir
master, Pastor Akin Akinola. They stood and
encouraged me when the crisis started. I cannot
thank them enough for their effort and impact on
my career. I am beginning to see what they
discovered in me back then. I was mocked and
neglected by many others when the challenges
became tough and I thought it would swallow me
and my career up as a young girl, but these two
people stood by me and I will be eternally grateful
to them. Nobody would want to believe in an
orphan’s dream, but God sent angels in human
form to help interpret my dream better.


You had the opportunity to choose between
secular music and gospel; what gave you the
conviction that gospel was your calling?

I have always been a church girl from the
beginning of my life. I was a member of the
drama group and prayer warrior group. I did
morning cry every 5 a.m. for four days in a week
and I was in the junior and senior choir; I led the
choreography group, even at eight. I was also
part of the sanctuary keepers. I did a lot in the
church when I was young and I am still
committed to the work of God. I have never in my
life thought about delving into the secular and
mind you, those who sing secular songs are not
worldly. They are only fulfilling their destinies in
another field. I know most of the secular artistes
that have good homes and are well cultured. The
word ‘secular’ to me is just a brand and genre of
music and it has nothing to do with an individual’s
personal life. There are some gospel artistes
whose ways of life are nothing to write home
about. Personally, I have never considered the
secular option, but I can satisfy my clients with
varieties at parties, hence I don’t go beyond my
boundary. I always remember I am a child of God,
so, I won’t do what people will see and question
the fact that I am a gospel artiste.

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What is the distinctive thing you think you have
brought into the industry?

I was not defined eight years ago when I took up
music professionally. I went through the learning
process, hearing and scoring songs. I also
attended several conferences, seminars, concerts
as well as music school. But I became defined
five years ago when I waxed my second album,
which didn’t even do well. It was a good song yet
it didn’t sell. The bulk of the albums I sold were
the ones sold in churches. It was my third album
entitled ‘Mighty Mercy’ that brought me into
limelight. It has even become my trademark. The
work is doing well. In fact, I am not after the
money, but getting the momentum and by this I
am already evangelising to the world. People
think making money is the central thing, but no, it
is all about having the audience, people that will
vouch for your song when you are not there.
Also, I have just completed a work entitled ‘Glory’,
which has redefined my brand. I am not there yet.
I am resolute to change the system as well as
revive the original philosophy of gospel music. I
know I may face a lot of challenges in trying to
achieve this, but I know I have God’s backing. I
may not be rich because I am still a big time
struggler, but the truth is I know if I have
something special to give to the world, I will get a
special value in return.


Don’t you feel the challenges you experienced
while trying to get your footing, even as an
orphan at your tender age, were too big for you
and how were you able to overcome them?

If you are not ready to face industrial challenges
forget about greatness. Someone told me recently
that I was too young for the challenges I was
facing. I have been an orphan from age four. It
was a serious experience one can hardly forget in
life. I never had anyone to call my real father or
mother. Meanwhile, having parents does not
mean one will have a fulfilled life. In my own
case, I had a bad case of vertigo (fainting every
time) and whenever I had this, people would
wonder why I did that. If my parents were to be
alive they would not have been able to do one
percent of what God has done in my life. I may
not be rich, but I have God. I use my life to
appreciate God because without Him I am
nothing. I have been through several bitter
experiences in life I was abused, raped,
emotionally abused, physically and mentally
abused and yet, here I am still waxing stronger
for God and I am still praying to please God. I am
not ready to please any man. I also hawked
slippers, fried fish and yam. I did many things to
survive. I was a teacher; I was already teaching at
16.

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What is your assessment of the gospel music
industry?

I have never seen the gospel industry of my
dream. Everybody is running a personal race,
including myself. We are all running for our
personal interests and gains. We shouldn’t be
shocked that no gospel artiste may be seen in the
kingdom of God if the rapture takes place.
Though there are people that serve God in spirit
and in truth, the investment side of gospel songs
is higher than the evangelistic part. I want to
make my album sell to make money and get more
church performances and become famous, so,
that I can drive a jeep in the midst of my
contemporaries. But we have forgotten the
important goal. What seed are we planting in the
hearts of people? To me, I am yet to see the
gospel music industry of my dream. I am not
talking about the season of Mama Bola Are,
Mama Funmi Aragbaye, Baba Ayewa, ECWA, and
a host of others; I mean the so-called millennium
era of ours. We have dropped originality. We are
all craving for fame. Most of our songs only last
for few months and we rush to the studio in order
to refresh people’s minds with another shoddy
work. Mama Bola Are has been singing for over
40 years; Baba [Ebenezer] Obey’s songs have
been relevant for more than 50 years now, even
before my mother was born. That is the tradition I
want to take after.
How did you become educated despite the fact
that there were no parents to support you?
Education is not about going to a good school. I
know people who went to good schools but are
not as learned as some illiterates. For me, I
attended a public school, Ayanleye Memorial
Primary School, School 4, Ọgba, Agege, Lagos
State. Then, I was leaving with my stepmum. The
truth is that it is all about your personal will to
improve every day. I read books, listened to good
documentaries, read newspapers, attended
conferences and to the glory of God I am a child
psychologist. I have a degree in History from the
Lagos State University and I have not used any of
my certificates to work. After my degree
programme, I realised that Nigeria is a special
country and one needs to seize the opportunity.
So, instead of going for a master’s degree, I went
for a professional course; I had a diploma in
Montessori method of education. I did special
education with children with specialties and
deformities. I am an expert in dealing with
children who have autism, cerebral palsy, dyslexia
and so on.
I have another diploma in child care in order to
have theory-based experience coupled with the
practical experience we have in Nigeria. So, I am
a certified nanny and expert in teaching
elementary pupils. I am hoping that God will help
me to establish a very good school to accomplish
all my dreams. At present, I am undergoing a
seminary degree in Christian education, which I
believe will boost my career and spiritual life.

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Which caucus do you belong to in the industry?
I am ‘caucus less’ and that is why I don’t have
any friend, but I have people I respect. I am not
lonely, yet I am not isolated. I would say that I am
somehow secluded. I can be in a room with a
keyboard or writing songs.

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