Over the years, musicians in the Nigerian music industry have abandoned secular music to sing Gospel songs in response to what they feel is a divine calling.
While some of these singers dominated the gospel music industry and made a fortune, others suffered. Some went on to become evangelists and even pastors, and are now living their most fulfilling lives.
Secular music is known for its global appeal, with lyrics about women, asses, drugs, partying, and profanity. The lyrics and melodies of gospel music are known for spiritually nurturing the body and soul.
The majority of our secular artists began their musical careers in the choir. Some went into secular music because people like listening to it, while others went into it for the money.
Becoming a gospel singer is being a Christian, being born again, and using your voice and music to win people to Christ. Some secular singers in Nigeria have either reconsidered their lives and professions or responded to a spiritual call.
Chidinma Ekile, a pastor’s daughter, entered the quest for fame ten years ago in search of a better life. In 2010, she won the third season of MTN Project Fame, a West African singing competition, and immediately entered the Nigerian music industry.
It didn’t take her long to release her first hit single, “Jankoliko.” With the releases of “Emini Bola” and “Kedike,” she became a force to be reckoned with.
In exchange, they congratulated her on her wonderful vocals and achievement, which no other MTN project winner had been able to attain.
The talented singer carried herself brilliantly throughout her pop years, from her clothing to her swag to her singing. None of them were excessive or out of hand. Chidinma took her time each year and gradually built a singing career.
The lovely nightingale singer, shocked her followers in May 2021 when she asked them to call her Mummy G.O or Endtime Soldier, stating that the old Chidimma had turned a new leaf after receiving a summons from God.
She highlighted that time is of the essence and that God told her to use her singing gift to win souls, noting that the devil has been winning for far too long. Chidinma shared how she had a spiritual encounter with God and that he has called her to use her gifts for his purposes.
Under this new rebrand, she dropped her first official gospel song, titled “Jehovah Overdo” on her 30th birthday, following the new revelation. She is now signed to the gospel record label Eeezee Concept.https://www.youtube.com/embed/jgcXR4U4kEc?feature=oembed
The Olowogbogboro vocalist began his career as a church singer before discovering jazz music. He went on to perform in jazz shows, including some that featured Louis Armstrong’s songs. Nathaniel Bassey later joined the jazz trio “Spectrum 4” in Lagos.
Despite being a performer, Nathaniel Bassey used to sing in church. Everything changed for Nathaniel Bassey when he was asked to write a song on the day Stella Obasanjo was set to worship and pray at his church; that was the turning point in his life.
After hearing the composition played, he realized that this is what he should be doing with his life.
Some may be surprised to learn that the spirit-filled singer used to perform secular music.
When Mercy Chinwo participated on the 2012 edition of Nigerian Idols, she was known as Mecindo by her admirers. After playing a handful of secular songs, the singer went on to win that edition. Mercy Chinwo did not go on to record any secular singles, but she did star in a movie.
Mercy Chinwo returned years later with a slew of gospel singles like ‘Excess Love”, “Akadimelu”, “Obinasom“.
TY Bello began her career as a photographer. She emerged onto Nigeria’s musical landscape as a member of the defunct group KUSH, an acronym for Kinetically Ushering Salvation into Hearts and Homes.
Other members of the group were Lara George, Dapo Torimiro and rapper Emem Ema. Kush gained popularity in the early 2000s with the single “Let’s Live Together“; the group managed to release an album before disbanding.
Years Later, TY Bello went solo releasing three albums, Greenland in 2008, The Future in 2011, and The Morning Songbook in 2014.
TY Bello began experimenting with spontaneous worship gatherings. The spontaneous worship service served as a springboard for new record releases.
Spontaneous worship is a live recording session in which TY Bello performs alongside another gospel artist. This spontaneous worship series has given rise to some of the gospel community’s most spirit-filled tunes.https://www.youtube.com/embed/YOPvbYd8w7U?feature=oembed
Chief Ebenezer Obey is a major figure in Nigerian music, particularly the juju genre. Chief Ebenezer Obey began his career by dabbling in Yoruba drumming techniques.
Later, the band expanded with the addition of more drum sets, guitars, and talking drums. Obey’s musical expertise comes from his ability to incorporate complicated Yoruba concepts into dance-floor tracks.
As is typical of Nigerian Yoruba social-circle music, the band excelled in praise-singing for affluent Nigerian socialites and business tycoons.
Obey, however, is also renowned for Christian spiritual themes in his music and has since the early-1990s retired into Nigerian gospel music ministry.
He is now known as Evangelist Ebenezer Obey.
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