FIDO SPEAKS (secular vs gospel)

Testifying of how Pastor Chris Oyakhilome has been a blessing to him and other gospel music ministers in Believers’ Love World (Christ Embassy), Emmanuel Komolafe otherwise known as Fido Cleff, spoke exclusively withChinyere Abiaziem on his music career and why some artistes are ashamed of being called gospel artistes. Excerpts:

What makes a gospel music minister?
It is not about the song you sing but about meeting people’s needs. God’s word has told us that God has called us to make disciples of all men; which alone is the great commission. So a gospel music minister is one that spreads the good news of God via the kind of songs he or she does.

Does it matter if an artiste does both secular and gospel music?
It does. The Bible says my sheep recognises my voice. You cannot be cold and hot at the same time. It is either you are hot or you are cold. It is important that you know where you belong. So it matters. If you are a gospel musician let the world know and if you are a mainstream let the world know you for that. Some trends have been going on where you find many of the mainstream artistes doing gospel. I have heard some songs sounding like gospel but not gospel. We have the devil and we have God. God is not claiming to be a devil and he cannot be, never. And the devil does not even have opportunity to be God. Some gospel artistes do not want to come out openly to say they are gospel artistes but prefer to be called reality/moral/mainstream singers.

Why is this so?
We have so many people in gospel music who see it as a business. Though it is business even as salvation is not free, Jesus had to pay for it. Some people see it as a means of feeding their families. They believe some churches won’t pay you the way some clubs will pay them. This is why they shy away from that name gospel.

How long have you been in the music industry?
I have been doing music at about the age of five. I remember then, my neigbours would call me to come and sing for them and would give me money. So I have been singing right from my childhood. But professionally I started on January 8, 2002; the very day I released a single titled ’Fire them’ that went viral. This is what I do on full time basis for eight years now. I have a band called ‘Enthroned’ and I have guys who work with me.

How many singles do you have to your credit?
I have like seven singles right now; Fire Them, Na You, Jesus Is The Answer, Only You, Your Name, Testfy And Halleluyah.

Are you of the opinion that churches should pay their music ministers?
I said something earlier that the gospel is free but not cheap. It costs God his son to save the whole world. Some producers will bluntly tell you how much they will take to produce a song. You will not let that stop you because you have a message to tell the world. I do not want to say the word pay but will tell churches to celebrate the anointing and sow seed in the lives of the music ministers. You can celebrate the anointing by sowing seed to the ministry. They should encourage us.

When you talk about encouragement, do you mean churches are not encouraging their music ministers enough?
I can only talk about my church. I am a member of Christ Embassy. Pastor Chris is trying so much. He is really helping us by doing everything possible to ensure talents are not wasted. More churches should imbibe what he is doing. We have so many talented persons that want to break forth.

A music minister did say recently that it is ungodly to dab.
You know this is end time and a lot of people tend to attach meanings to some things, which is why you have to know God by studying his word so as to know the right thing to do. To me I do not see anything wrong with it. If you look at the Bible, David was described to be a man after God’s own heart despite the atrocities he committed. When David danced do you think he would not have danced ‘Azonto’ or dabbed. Additionally I think it has to do with revelation and do not want to condemn his opinion.

There seems to be a culture of hair curling by male members in Christ Embassy or do you think otherwise?
It is not a culture but just a means of looking good. Infact I do not care if someone says I’m copying Pastor Chris hair cut/style. As long as my name is attached to him, I still don’t care because he is a world changer. If what you want to say about me is that I am curling my hair like him then it is fine.

How do you cope with the opposite sex?
That you are tongue speaking does not mean they won’t come but you have to know who you are and stand your ground. The devil is going to and fro looking for whom to devour. So it is not by one’s power. This brings me to recall my experience with a woman I met in a church where I went to minister. She came to me after the service and asked why I have not done the video of one of my songs, then I told her I needed N1.5million. To cut the story short she invited me to her office and offered me a cheque with the amount I needed only if I go home with her. I had to look for a way to flee her presence.

Do you see yourself being around with gospel music for a long time or switching to secular music sometime in the future?
I will never switch to being a secular artiste. I am a gospel artiste and I am proud to say it anywhere. The revelation of God that you have determines your action. So I will never switch. I see myself waxing stronger by God’s grace.