Ghanaian gospel singer, Carl Clottey has disclosed that he used to be a secular artist before becoming a gospel musician.

Speaking in an interview with an Accra-based radio station, the artist explained that due to some peer pressure from friends, he used to perform secular songs especially on some reality shows he auditioned. However, he was quick to add that starting as a secular artist helped him learn how to put music together.

“I write a lot of love songs and I didn’t start off doing gospel music. I had a lot of peer pressure in the beginning. After secondary school, I had a friend called Derrick and we used to roll a lot. We auditioned a lot and I was performing secular music. So, when I decided to be a gospel artist, I decided to channel all the love into it. Starting from that background actually helped me a lot. Arranging music, understanding music psychology and all that”.

Carl as a full-time gospel artist

Carl who is born into a family of singers, mentioned that he is the only one who has taken it up as a full-time profession. He noted that being a full-time artist is quite tough as what you invest into your music is not what you always get back.

“How you get paid when you go to churches depends on where you are now. I remember I drove all the way from Accra to somewhere in Cape Coast to perform. I was given a cheque for GHS 200 after I performed. The cheque bounced when I went to make the withdrawal. It took about three months before they later had to send me the money via MoMo.

“I went into a deep depression when all of my family left for America and I kept wondering what will be my fate if I had also left. But I am glad that I am here and fulfilling my purpose in life”.

Unhealthy competition in the gospel music fratenity

Carl in an earlier interview with The Vaultz Media (TVM) posited that there is no unity in the gospel music fraternity in Ghana. He iterated his position when he was asked about unity among the gospel artist in the country.

“The unity is not there in the gospel music scene. Everybody is looking [out] for themselves. It’s difficult for someone to click their fellow artiste’s work on their page. It is not like that in Nigeria. These are the truth that are on the street”.

He also mentioned that if it is the will of God, he will collaborate with a secular artist since they are also human like himself.

“If I am led by God to collaborate with a secular musician, I would. There’s nothing wrong with collaborating with them. They are humans. Their calling may be different from yours but let’s not judge them”.

When asked if he has been nominated in any music award scheme, he answered saying: “Yes, I was nominated in five categories of the Ghana gospel music awards. Unfortunately, VGMA didn’t nominate me. But hopefully soon I [will] get that recognition”.