Why Gospel Musicians Have Problems With Labels

•Godwin Esabame

•Godwin Esabame

Godwin Esabame, gospel artiste and interior decorator, tells NKRUMAH BANKONG-OBI about his debut album, problems with marketing gospel music in Nigeria and how he combines music with interior designing

How would you categorise your music?

I play gospel and inspirational music. When I say gospel, I am talking about music that ministers to someone who is dying or despairing. When he listens to a good song or reads a good piece of writing, he becomes inspired. That is what I do and believe in. And I write when I am inspired. I do not really sit down to write a song. Experiences that I have had determine what I write. The Love Cry, the hit track on my debut album is an example. I woke up one night with tears in my eyes and I heard a voice minister to me about giving people hope. I quickly noted it. And if you listen to it, it is really beautiful.  Another thing is that I have lived a large part of my life as an orphan, so I get inspiration when I am facing difficulties. God made a way for me. By His grace, I never joined any secret society despite temptations to do so. First, my songs minister to me as a person. In using music to motivate people, I also try various styles. I am an eclectic writer and singer; you can hear jazz, hip- hop, R&B, reggae and other genres in my songs. My album, Preacher, contains all of that. The advantage I also have is that I play musical instruments and I work with real professionals, who know their jobs

What instruments do you play?

I play guitar. And you know my favourite? The bass guitar, the one with six strings and it is expensive but I trusted God to provide it for me.  Recently, somebody, a prince really, who just arrived from the United States and was trying to setup a music label listened to my work and he said: “This is nice, it is what I have been looking for. You know what? The Lord has asked me to give you something.” He went into the house and gave me a six-string guitar that is about N450,000.

Since you play reggae, highlife hip-hop and all of those, are you going to do secular music someday?

My songs are not the conventional gospel songs. When you listen to them, you will understand. Like the reggae, I blended it with hip-hop, I featured Buchi, the gospel musician. He sang with excitement. At the end of the recording, he said: “Gee, I like this, it is a brand new style you have here.” Then for the jazz, I play a lot of it myself. Music is not all about the melody and harmony, the message is very important.  Sorry to say, what we have in Nigeria right now in terms of music is noise that has no meaningful content and unfortunately in my view, that is no music. It is not by my power, but I can sometimes write a song, arrange the instrumental, all in ten minutes

•Godwin Esabame
•Godwin Esabame

You spoke to me some time ago about the album you made, but could not get a label to sign you on. What are the problems that upcoming artistes encounter in getting a label? Or is it because you are doing gospel music?

To be candid with you, several interviews I went for at some television and radio stations, the same question came up. Most times, the question they ask me is: Why gospel?  They tell me that with a track of secular music, I can hit it big given the talent that I have. But I am not doing it for the money. Even my work, I just told you I have a company where I do fabrication and design for people, it is not money that motivates what I do there. Most of the people who are like a family to me now were my clients.  I always do not let money be at the motivation in my business. I am the boss, money is secondary. If I was doing music just for money, I know exactly what should be done.  I am doing some lovely instrumental beats right now, they are going to be nice and lovely.  Gospel music for me is a calling; I am a born-again Christian.  I graduated from the children’s choir to the youth choir and then to the senior choir in the Church of God Mission International.  I never knew that I’d ever wax an album despite singing from one church to the other, but it is a reality now.

What exactly is the problem with marketing and getting a label for artistes like you?

Related News

Do we really have labels in Nigeria? My answer is no. I tell you, I am a businessman, I have combed everywhere, trying to do the right thing. I met someone who wanted to sign me on and he said a lot of things. I asked: ‘Sir, what is a label supposed to do for an artiste, given that I have done the music, shot videos and all that?’ The guy could not answer. Most times, what they have here are basically music managers. I have come to realise that it is tough to market gospel music because people expect you to sing things like Omoge shake your buttocks. A renowned designer listened to my work and he sent me to a label owner. The fellow listened to me and he said: “This is not the type of music I want to invest my money in.” I laughed There are many challenges in gospel music. This work has taken a lot from me. It has cost me my car.  By now, I should have been living in my own house. Imagine putting money into a project and you are not getting anything out of it. But I believe God will make a way soon. As a human being, there was a time I wanted to back out, to do other things, not secular music, though. I just wanted to leave the scene. But God encouraged me through some great people who have listened to my work and have liked it and have been nurturing me by following what I do.

Have you performed at seminars, conferences or retreats?

I have been privileged to have been invited to Household of God Church and other places, not really to perform. For the past one year, I have been rebranding, not performing. I want to drop some videos for people to see. The gospel is cheap, but expensive. To the glory of God, I have a friend in New York with Rockers Radio. She listened to my music online and liked it. Each time she is playing my music, she will place my picture on their web page with the inscription “Preacher Gee, preaching the gospel from Africa.” Then there is another woman who, to me, is the best DJ in the world. She is called DJ Raven Martins. Recently, she sent me her postal address so that I can send her the hard copy of my album.  Another, a German woman, who also fell in love with music, has proposed to start marketing it there. By month end, 1000 copies will be leaving Nigeria for Germany and I have not released it here because of logistics.

Are you saying that your work is receiving more attention elsewhere than here?

Yes. The reason is because a large percentage of the people here are illiterates.

But you sing in a language that those people do not understand?

Music is universal. When I was a kid, I used to watch Sunny Ade on television in Europe. White men may not understand the message, but they follow the rhythm. Music is spiritual. It is true that sometimes I use my native Ishan language, but I also fuse other languages like Yoruba, English and  Creole, so that I can reach everybody.

You are a professional interior designer. How do you combine that with music, which requires a lot of attention?

I am somebody who takes time to do what has to be done. I do not go out a lot. If I am not at home, I am in the church.  Interior design is an aspect of creativity. I create my work, which naturally fits into my music. I have done jobs for Mudi, the famous designer, and many other people. That is why when people ask me why I don’t dress like a musician, I tell them that I work.  If I wear earrings and I’m decked in bling, what client will give me a contract to decorate his house?

Load more