Mp3bullet.ng presents Secular Musicians Who Have Become Preachers.
Over the years, musicians in Nigeria’s music industry have abandoned secular music in response to what they claim is a divine call to become preachers of the gospel.
While some of these artists dominated the gospel music industry and made a fortune, others struggled. Some went on to become evangelists and even pastors, and are now living their most fulfilling lives.
When a musician moves from doing secular music to being a preacher, their listeners are typically taken aback. While some fans may claim they saw it coming, others may question whether they made the correct choice.
Here are the Secular Musicians who took the bold step of venturing into the gospel as preachers.
Chidinma
One artiste who surprised fans with the sudden news that she would be departing from her very successful secular music career is Nigerian powerhouse singer, Chidinma.
Ekile who is a pastor’s daughter years ago joined the race for fame in search of a better life.
She first won the 3rd season of the MTN Project Fame West African singing competition in 2010 and went straight into the Nigerian music industry. It didn’t take long for her to drop her first hit song “Jankoliko”. She became a force to reckon with, dropping “Emini Baller” and “Kedike”.
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In return, they cheered her up for her incredible vocals and success, something no winner of the MTN project fame was able to achieve.
Years later, she dropped a shocker for her fans by asking them to call her Mummy G.O or Endtime Soldier, explaining that the old Chidimma has turned a new leaf after a call from God.
Chidinma while talking about the decision during a musical ministration said:
“I’m not here because I want fame. I’ve had all of that and I think I’ve had enough of all of that. So, right now is the time to work for my father. He is the one who has called me I did not bring myself here. As a matter of fact, I did not want to be here but I’m going into ministry in full force.”
She is signed to Eeezee Record Label, the home to other Gospel artists like Mercy Chinwo, Juidkay and others.
Soul E
Soul E, also known as Soul E Baba, is another musician who left secular music to seek a career as a minister. Soul E is currently a preacher in South Africa, where he organizes crusades and revivals.
Speaking to Encomium magazine, Soul E said:
I don’t like talking about myself but by the grace of God, I would say I was called into the office of a prophet
Kas
Kas, who is well known for his smash single Fi Mi Le (which I still love), startled fans by announcing that he would no longer be pursuing secular music and would instead become a preacher.
He said about the surprising revelation in an interview with Vanguard,
I don’t know when people will believe I’m saying the truth. The thing is when you have been called people find it hard to believe. I’m an ashawo musician, I’m not an afro-beat artiste; I always say it that I’m an ashawo musician. When I was 7-years old I made a covenant with God that if He can make me a popular musician, in return I will serve Him. God did his part and I became a popular musician but in return I was running. Six pastors at six different times told me that I’m supposed to be a pastor. After a while my mom told me that if God really called me He would reveal Himself to me in a dream. It was like a joke but God later revealed Himself to me and I saw everything from the beginning of the ministry to what it would end up being
He has now done a Fi Mi Le (Gospel Remix).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWaPOk-KQq0
Kenny Saint Brown
Kenny Saint Brown has an elder brother who is an entertainment mogul and co-owner of the then top record label Kennis music.
In the mid-1990s, Kenny Saint Brown, better known to her fans as simply KSB, had a lot of success with secular music. KSB then converted to gospel music in the 2000s and has now become a minister and life coach.
With growing suspicion about her sudden move to the gospel, KSB emphasized in an interview that her switch was not because secular music wasn’t lucrative anymore but because she had a divine calling to do so.
Banky W
Another very popular musician who now does pastorial work is actor/singer, Banky W.
Olubankole Wellington, better known as Banky W, started EME records in 2002, releasing some of the best Rnb songs including “Yes/No”, “Jasi”, “Jaiye ori mi” and even “Ebute metta”, a cover of Rihanna’s “Umbrella”.
But in 2020, Rnb lovers were sad to witness him dump secular music for gospel music following his ordination as a pastor.
He is a minister in The Waterbrook Church where he delivers messages from time to time.
According to Banky, he was also shocked when the senior pastor of his church told him that God wants him to be a preacher.
Banky has released some gospel songs including “Final say” and “Testimony”.
Obiwon
Popular singer Obiwon gave us some of the best music in the 2000s. His 2005 debut album “Overture” featuring his hit single “Onyinye” remains one of Nigeria’s best classic ballad.
Unfortunately or maybe fortunately, Obiwon rebranded into an urban contemporary singer in 2008, changing his stage name to Obiora Obiwon. He said he has undergone a spiritual experience and he’s sure gospel music is what God wants him to do.
Since his rebrand, Obiwon has not been doing bad at all. His album “The Rebirth” featuring songs like “Father”, “Victorious” and “Obimuo” and others, helped seal his place as an evangelist of God.
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Sunny Okosun
Late Sunny Okosun who died of Colon Cancer in 2008, equally rebranded into a gospel musician during his lifetime. He started his career in secular music in the 1970s, blessing Nigeria with good music.
But in the 1990s, he rebranded into gospel music, dishing songs that many Christians still cannot get over to this day.