Gone are the days gospel artistes were seen as failures – Mirabel

Mirabel Uchechi Ani was a child singer. At 11 she was opportune to close a service with a song ministration and that was it! She became a regular face and lead vocalist in her local Church among  older choir members. In this interview, she told DAYO EMMANUEL how the journey began and how she has written numerous songs. According to her, the days are over when gospel artistes were seen as failures. Excerpts:

 When did you start music?

I started singing in Church at the age of eleven in a Church band where I started singing as a chief vocalist due to the grace of God which made the audience request for Uchechi after my first ministration in Church. My age was never a barrier… I grew up singing in the house of God but professionally I started music in 2014. Officially I started releasing songs in 2015.

Chief vocalist at 11? How did it come about?

I think it is inborn because I never trained to be a chief vocalist or singer. It is a gift from God. It was a Catholic charismatic band. I joined the band rehearsal though they were going to send me to junior team after the first rehearsal but at the last minute I was asked to close the meeting. Then I started with praise and worship and that changed it all. I led worship at the prayer meeting then Praise in Sunday service of over a hundred people, it continued.

How did you manage the ‘fame’ among older choir members?

It wasn’t that easy because the reigning female chief vocalist then was 20 years of age. So she felt so bad because Church members and even the Reverend was singing the name of 11 year old girl instead of hers. Several gangs came up against me but the Lord overcame so she left the charismatic and even stopped coming to that Church branch.

Give a brief of your background; childhood, family and education.

I hail from a Christian family of six. I have three siblings. I had more comfortable childhood but things changed that my childhood wasn’t one with a silver spoon. But to God be the glory we’re still standing. I had my primary, secondary education and tertiary to the glory of God. I studied Business Education (Accounting) at the Enugu State College of Education Technical ESCET. Presently studying Resource Management in National Open University Nigeria (NOUN).

Have you left the Catholic Church?

Yes I have. Presently a praise and worship leader in Christ Embassy BLW International.

Christ Embassy is reputed for supporting their in-house gospel artistes. Have you enjoyed such support?

Considering the fact I am officially new in music, my songs will soon be on the ministry platforms and in the media which process I have started. I talked about the coming of Omemma by Mirabel on Love World plus TV morning show. As for the global stage, all I await is the next music audition and the Holy Spirit will take care of the rest. They await my first video for promo.

So they said, I even signed autograph for two of their staffs and had testimony of a listener who called to say he got a call he has been expecting for long as he was listening and meditating on the song Omemma’s lyrics. He was so excited and that was a memorable day for me…my first time on a TV show.

Can you advise other Church leaders on support for gospel artistes?

My advice to other Church leaders on support for gospel artistes is this: You can never make a good leader in the house of God if you don’t promote the things of God. How can you win souls? The fastest and massive soul winning is done through music.

Promote gospel music, win souls and promote peace. I pity those Church leaders, media house owners, DJs, workers etc. who are Christians but would rather promote or prefer to play and push secular music rather than gospel music. Instead of doing both equally or even more of gospel, yet they say they love God. It’s a mockery of our Father, God Almighty. They have to know that there’s no special day or place to play a gospel song because God’s love and protection for mankind is everyday not only Sundays.

What do you call your genre of music?

I do urban and contemporary gospel music because I write different kind of songs. I love praise and worship.

You started as a little child, what is your advice for parents of children with such passion for gospel music?

My advice for parents of young children with passion for gospel music is: They should be proud of their children and support them for being on the right track. Gone are the days gospel artistes were seen as unsuccessful. The word of God makes rich and adds no sorrow. There are riches, peace and Joy. So they should encourage and support their children spiritually and financially.

How many albums have you brought out?

I have one album presently “Happy Day” but I have been ministering in Churches on invitations. My second album which I am working on presently is officially my first album because it is the only one the media recognizes. I never released any song from the first except for Omemma which is now on CTC platform.

How Many songs have you written and do you play any instrument?

Writing songs is like a daily thing for me because I don’t prepare to write songs, they come to me. It can be in the restroom or the kitchen. I even received a new worship song on the road. I kept singing till I got home and voice recorded it. It’s now a complete track. I have written uncountable songs but I have produced twelve songs. I used to play drums but stopped. I’m interested in keyboards.

Do you think of going secular someday?

That’s impossible, too late to think of that because the gospel is already part of me.