Versatile singer, songwriter and producer, Gladstorm Kwabena Akwaboah Junior, popularly known as Akwaboah, has revealed that gospel musicians aren’t united as they make it seem in the eye of the public.
Speaking on ‘Simply Showbiz’ on Tv3, the ‘Forget’ singer said, although musicians from the gospel fraternity may seem united, there are cracks within their fold, suggesting back-biting and competition.
When asked the question, whether gospel singers are united, the singer answered in the negative. He further disclosed that several gospel musicians pushed him to record some gospel songs and after recording, just a handful of those gospel artists promoted his song.
“Hell no! I am also in the church and you know I released a gospel song. There were friends [gospel musicians] who pushed me to do gospel songs. I did two or three of them and none of them posted [except for Ohemaa Mercy who claimed to have posted]”.
Akwaboah went on to reveal that aside from writing his secular songs, he has been an instrumentalist for many of these gospel artist, and through that, he gets to know what goes on in their circle. He argued that the Ghanaian gospel fraternity is not united but only look united when they get to stand in the eyes of the public.
“Apart from doing a lot of love [secular] songs, I have been an instrumentalist for most gospel artists, and judging from what I’ve seen, you’ll see them as a united front but get closer to them and you would see division amongst them”.
This revelation comes at the back of some gospel industry players taking a swipe at colleague gospel singer, Celestine Donkor for collaborating with two secular artists on the latest song entitled ‘Yedawase (Thank You)’
It hasn’t been long when Akwaboah emphasized that as a Christian, serving God is a personal affair. The multiple award-winning singer asserted that doing such music[secular music] has nothing to do with one’s closeness to his maker.
Worshipping God or knowing God is a personal affair”.
Akwaboah
According to the singer, songwriter and producer, someone in the industry shared some derogatory remarks on air about him being featured on a gospel song, because he is seen as a secular musician, and this didn’t fare well with him, since according to him, he doesn’t have any personal relationship with the person.
“I started hearing people talking negatively about me and I think a brother talking about Efya and I being on the same song with Celestine Donkor. Some people were saying things that weren’t really cool in my spirit, and I was like, you don’t even know me”.
He disclosed that he is a staunch Christian who has been worshipping with the Parliamentary Chapel International for almost 21 or 22 years. Akwaboah said Apostle Francis Amoako Attah is his pastor and he will attest to his closeness to God. He lamented that it is unfair and judgmental of people to think because someone records secular music, they are of the world and not of God.
“If someone sits back and judge you to be worldly, the person doesn’t know what he or she is saying”
Read also: IT IS WRONG FOR A GOSPEL MUSICIAN TO FEATURE A SECULAR MUSICIAN- OB NARTEY
