If united, Nigerian Church can bring corporate world to its kneels-Paul Play

 

If united, Nigerian Church can bring corporate world to its kneels-Paul Play

Dayo Emmanuel

 

 

Popular musician, Paul Play Dairo has identified poor marketing and distribution network as challenges in marketing Christian music in Nigeria.

Answering questions recently on a social media group of Christian Talent Community (CTC); a group comprising of over 200 talents, Dairo revealed that, “The challenges of gospel music are many. One of them is poor marketing and distribution network which is dependent on the general music market.”

Giving insight into his musical career, son of iconic juju maestro, the late IK Dairo said, “My journey into music began at age 11 when I joined a six-man choir group called Calvary Singers then in my father’s Church.”

Explaining reasons for exodus of gospel ministers into the secular stage where most artistes from the Church lose their original identity, Paul Play said, “The Church needs to groom and sustain it’s own. Gospel music industry needs to function as a stand-alone entity.”

The artiste also gave reasons for the hardship and obstacles to breakthrough of gospel artistes. According to him, “Lack of structure, inability to woo corporate support and sponsorship and lack of internal support from the Church organisations are responsible.”

Coordinator of the CTC group, radio personality, comedian and artiste, Obus Zalee Brodor wanted Paul Play to clarify on what he means by ‘Stand Alone Entity.’

The guest artiste was on point to express what he meant when he pointed to “Lack of unity in the Christian community.” “If the Nigerian Church comes under one umbrella, it has the power to bring corporate Nigeria to their knees. The Church community itself is big enough to sustain gospel music artistes. For instance RCCG can boast of about 10million congregation. That is a huge number,” he explained.

To work beyond divisions caused by doctrinal differences, Dairo encouraged gospel artistes to come together and form association that can bind them together. “The gospel music artistes need to come together. Form an association. Force this unity.”

He stated that “FOGMONN is a welcome development,” and a group that can foster unity among the artistes.

On ‘wooing corporate support and sponsorship,’ the guest artiste said, “The Church is recognised as a powerful institution all over the world. If Pa Adeboye approaches MTN to advise them on supporting gospel acts. They know he can advise his huge congregation not to patronise MTN.”

“They will come to the table even without any threat. Because members always listen to the Church leader.”

Advising gospel artistes in terms of audio/video production and promotion, Paul Play said “Gospel acts need to improve on their video production.”

On what structure he has in place to groom upcoming artistes, Dairo explained that he still runs his record label aimed at developing talents in the gospel music industry.

“I still run my record label. And I’ve helped with many projects aimed at developing talents in the kingdom. If this move is replicated by all Church leaders, corporate Nigeria will start endorsing gospel acts,” he said.

As talents keep migrating from the Church to the secular stage for whatever reasons, Dairo sent a word of advice across to those still planning to migrate.

“I will advise any gospel act reading from me right now not to. It’d more blurry than you know,” he warned, warning further that, “If you were already known as a gospel act and decided to go secular, you will lose your fans and the secular fans won’t welcome you. It is going to be a hard sell.”

Dairo, who disclosed he learnt humility and transparency from his father also advised gospel artistes that “You need to perfect your stage performance.  And go out more to showcase your talent. Get involved in any show happening around you. And don’t think about money first.”

About ensuring market acceptance for gospel artistes same way secular artistes are accepted, the guest said, “Marketers are like sharks. They are as clueless as a confused artiste. They like to jump into a moving train. They will never be there to help you to push it to start.”

On the menace of Alaba marketers which have continued to reap the reward of labour of artistes illegally, Paul Play said, “Push your work and get involved in terms of performance. Try and sell yourself on social media and all electronic platform.  It’s not all of them that are money conscious.”

Stating the merits and demerits of uploading songs online, Dairo who runs Playground Entertainment said, “Uploading songs online for free is one of the biggest issues the industry is facing. We have perfected the act of shortchanging ourselves because we are afraid of competition. It’s okay for an upcoming act to upload his music. That should be their platform. But A-list acts will not even give them space to breathe.”

Explaining why the radio stations prefer to air gospel music only on Sundays, Dairo explained that, “Because we are living in a country which considers herself as a secular state, the broadcast laws do not allow religious music. This is why there needs to be online gospel music, TV stations and gospel cable TV platforms.”

He however advised that FOGMONN may need to do something about the law that relegated gospel music to Sundays alone. “FOGMONN needs to fight the laws that restricts it’s members. You will have to go to the National Assembly because laws are made to be reviewed and modified.”