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Some Pastors are showing more support for gospel music —Chris Shalom, gospel singer

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Shalom A music producer and songwriter, Christopher Shalom simply known as Chris Shalom is one of Nigeria’s leading gospel artistes. He was introduced to music at the tender age of nine by his mother who was a member of the choir. Following her footsteps, Chris joined the Christ Embassy choir and has been leading worship song and making music for 23 years, with the likes of Sinach, Eben, Frank Edwards, Ada, among others. He has released over six albums wit hit singles such as “You’re The Reason,” “Power Belongs to You”, “God of Miracle and Wonders.” In this interview, Shalom speaks with Newton-Ray Ukuwoma among other things how Pastor Chris’s endorsement has shaped his music career. Excerpts:

 

There has been a significant improvement in the quality of gospel music over the years. What in your opinion is responsible for this quality shift?

Support. The support for gospel music has increased. Before now, it was pretty difficult to record a good song, not because you didn’t have the talent, but because the finances weren’t just there. Somehow, we have been able to deal with that. I think that the support and our exposure to new tools are two out of the many reasons gospel music in Nigeria has improved significantly in quality.

 

What has been the support system for you because people still feel that gospel music is grossly under-funded?

More pastors are showing great support and are helping to create enabling environment for singers. This goes a long way. Before now, we didn’t have this opportunity. You were left on your own, sort of.  And that was why most of the now great secular singers, when they could not find a support base, grabbed any offer from the secular music. We all know that most of the singers in the secular music started from the church. This was the reason. Support. But now we have a few pastors who have taken the responsibility of supporting gospel singers and are major patrons of what we do. And with that kind of support base, it has become very possible to improve our craft in terms of quality and inspiration.

 

Which pastor contributed to your music?

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome. Pastor Chris is my pastor. I have been in Christ Embassy for 23 years. He has been a major support for me. We also have people like Sinach, Buchi, Frank Edwards, Eben, Ada, Testimony among others benefiting from the support of Pastor Chris and Christ Embassy generally.

 

Can you tell us a specific example of your first financial support by Pastor Chris?

You see, support comes in different shades and shapes. We have a platform that commands global attention. The minute you step onto the Christ Embassy platform, the world begins to notice the gift that you have and before you realise, people begin to invite you for their programmes. That comes with an honour too. You have Sinach, who has been in major platforms around the world. How did it start? It didn’t start with money support. It was the platform given to her that made the whole world demand for her and so many other things began to align after that, I mean in terms of finances, fame and recognitions. Having said that, I cannot deny that my pastor hasn’t given me money.

 

ShalomHow much did he give you?

I may not want to state it here, but he does that every single year. Christ Embassy holds an award event for artistes who have shown exceptional talents every year. Winners get as much as $50,000, $100,000 and so many other gifts. I mean with that kind of support system any musician should do well. For me, particularly in December 2013, while the whole world was watching, I mean over 100 countries connected, local stations in Nigeria as well as on the internet platform, Pastor Chris held my hand and told the world that I have an incredible gift, he called me “the man with the golden voice”. That was a major endorsement for me.

 

How did that transform your music career?

That single statement has transformed into many local and international trips. Because of that endorsements major platforms started giving me attention, started looking my way. People began to realise my talent and my voice. Invitations started coming from different places. It gave me the opportunity to exhibit the things that I am endowed with. By doing that many people have been impacted, many lives have been changed during my ministrations. I have ministered in many countries in the world in America, Europe and so many countries in Africa because of that single endorsement. It opened so many doors all around the world.

 

How do you couch your type of music?

I am a worshipper. Worship music is naturally known for being slow. But I think that that is where my strength lies. I also do other genres of music. If you listen to my album you will hear pop, afro beats all of which revolve around worship.

How do you get inspired?

My inspiration is diverse; God is nevertheless the ultimate inspiration. I represent Him, I sing His words. The things I see around me also form my music. I read the Bible and I see a picture of God’s intention for man, so if I see anyone living contrary to that plan and because of what I know that they could become I get inspired to want to write a song, perhaps, they might get to listen to the song and it may change their minds back to the plan of God for them.

 

Do you suggest that gospel music has a major advantage over secular music?

The Bible said that “the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life”. Gospel music is life giving. That is it. Gospel music has the ability to lift you from a lowly place and brighten you up. Gospel music inspires and assures you that God is for you. Gospel music has power.

 

How can we verify any of these claims?

They are really verifiable. If you go to my Youtube channel on the comment section you will find thousands of testimonies, not written by me, but written by people I have never met before save that they listened to my songs. And I am not the only gospel singer with testimonies like these; most of my colleagues have similar confessions. Gospel music is life-giving, and we cannot say the same thing for secular music. Secular music only excites the mind and flesh. That is the most it can do.

 

Do you then think that authorities like the government should look towards supporting gospel music, looking at the therapeutic values?

The potential of gospel music to heal our land is not in question. The value in gospel music is high, so the sponsorship should also be maximum. We value doctors because we feel that they have the knowledge and expertise to get a sick person cured, how about gospel music that can do that and much more? Doctors cannot raise the dead, but gospel music, because it is God’s word, can raise the dead. Gospel music can meet anybody at the point of their needs because of the spirit of God that is in it. When we find something like this we should consider it, we should value it as gold and we should support it because even if we don’t want it now, we may want it tomorrow.

 

But this is just music. How do we guarantee these resurrecting and other powers you have attributed all to gospel music?

It may just be music to the ordinary man, but the words that our music carry are life-giving.

 

Life-giving?

Yes, because it is the word of God, and the word of God is life. The Bible says His word is truth, His word is life. As a matter of fact, even the world we live in today came as a result of spoken words. The Bible says, “In the beginning was the word…and all things were made by the word”. So, as gospel singers, we speak the words of God and those who hear them receive life into their spirit which leads to diverse healings and resurrecting powers. Gospel music is one of the most powerful forces in the world.

 

You talk about people naturally supporting gospel singers, but what do you say of gospel singers who charge for their service? Are you equally in support of charging?

I don’t have anything against them. The reason you find people charging is because many haven’t learnt how to appreciate gospel music well. They feel if I have to do this for free and allow people to do what they please, not many people will do it right. How do you go to a place that cost you N10,000 only to receive N4000 in an envelope? How will you offset the rest bills? So, if you find people charging they are actually justified because it is expensive to put good music out there, it is expensive to find a good place where you can concentrate and write a song that will make impact in the lives of other people. A whole lot is involved in this. Support should be natural. And people should support as well.

 

Which song gave you the break?

“You’re the Reason”. In 2010, I recorded an album entitled, “Second Chance”. The song “You’re the Reason” rose to become a global break from that album.

 

Growing up, did you ever know you will become a singer?

Yes, I knew as early as nine years that I would become a gospel singer. My mother was in the choir and I was always with her, being the last child. She sowed the seed of music into me.

 

What is your trajectory in music?

I started music professionally about 23 years ago. My first album was released about 17 years ago. My music career started fully when I became a member of Christ Embassy. This was where I got the opportunity to experiment with sounds. We had a few challenges especially with finances, recording songs and distribution, but it is a lot better now. The music is spreading all around the world. I have recorded six albums, but my most current work is called My Beautifier. It is on iTunes. Amazon, Youtube and every online platform.

 

How did you get the money for your first album?

The money for the first album came as result of months of saving. I got few support from some people, but it was largely from many months of saving.

 

What did you do?

I had to work in a business centre. I was typing and making photocopies for people. At the end of the month, I saved up some of my salary.

The post Some Pastors are showing more support for gospel music —Chris Shalom, gospel singer appeared first on Tribune.

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