Since gospel artistes sing or minister for or to God, the argument has always been, whether they should be paid for the services rendered. This has sharply divided clerics and artistes.
While a great number of clerics believe that Gospel artistes should not charge fees since it is the work of God that they are doing, some Gospel musicians argue that a lot of time or better still money goes into composing songs and rehearsals for performances to be perfected and like pastors who are paid to preach in some churches, they deserve to be paid commensurately, as well.
Fast forward, the frequently asked question has been answered by Rev. Mc Abraham, Ghana’s most celebrated gospel musician and founder of Christal Life Chapel. In an exclusive interview with Nana Yaw Poku affectionately called DJ Roar in Kumasi based Kessben FM’s “Weekend Gruuv” show on September 29, 2017 has nullify all the arguments that seek to support the cry of some contemporary gospel musicians.
According to the ace and inspirational gospel artist, it’s ungodly for a true gospel musician to ask for payment before mounting Church organised event. Although, he accepted the fact that the cost incurred before, during and after the production of a gospel song is synonymous to the secular ones. Therefore, until the churches start producing their members who’re gifted in singing, some gospel musicians will always demand money before their performance.
“As far as the various churches can boast of unsung talented gospel musicians, there’s no need for an outside and ‘popular’ gospel artist to be invited for performance. Before the gospel singer became Ghana’s favourite, someone invested in his or her craft. So, to invite such person to perform to the satisfaction of the congregation, the gospel artist is right to perform for fee.
Simply put, Ghanaian gospel musicians are mostly produced by unbelievers! To the extent that some of the gospel musicians are produced by Muslims. To curb this, the church must start producing their members who can sing so they can give back to the church accordingly for free”, Rev Mac Abraham stated.
Rev Mc Abraham concluded that he has never performed for fee because he produces himself. To him, the churches where these musicians serve should support and create platforms that empower them. He added that, some of the contemporary gospel musicians would’ve wished to perform for free but production cost keeps on rising. That’s is why he’s appealing to churches to invest in their unsung musicians so they can give back to the church freely.
