Gospel music is taking over from secular music —Rozey, gospel music singer

Have you noticed that people say that you are tomboy?

When I was growing up, I was called a tomboy because I wasn’t girly at all. It was probably because I was the first child and I did not want to be pampered. When I got to school, girls were always very tender and soft. I didn’t want to be tender and soft. But I don’t think that is the view of me anymore.

After you performed Flourishing, what happened?

My entire life changed after I performed Flourishing. That was when I started my own evangelism work because I started going out on ministrations. Everybody wanted me to perform the song. People know the lyrics. I would say that the Flourishing song opened places, gates and nations for me. I have the song in different languages.

How has life been after you were called to perform the theme song of the year in 2016?

Performing the song of the year was overwhelming. But what was more awe-inspiring was how the song came to me. I was at Pastor Chris Oyakhilome’s birthday on 7th  December. After the party, he was giving the vote of thanks and praying for everyone who came. As he was praying, he began to prophesy. I noticed that my other eye was opened. He was talking about flourishing; about how the land will flourish in the coming year. He stopped abruptly but I picked it from there. This is why every gospel singer needs to be alert in the spirit.I knew that Flourishing will certainly be the theme of the year. After the party, I got my team into the studio and we did that song. Normally, on the 31 December every year, we hold a dress rehearsal. So, when I was called to perform the song, first I fell under the anointing. It was awesome.

You said singers need to be alert in the spirit. How can a budding gospel singer tap from the spirit for inspiration?

First, open your mind in the things of God. When you are listening to any message (sermon) don’t have your own definitions. The Bible says that “the word of God is sharper than two-edged sword piercing the heart”. The word will come to you, you need to open up your spirit to receive that single word you need to run with. Without that word, your songs will be meaningless or empty.

How did you grow up in Christianity?

I just noticed that I liked singing from a tender age. I always liked to tune in to music stations. I sang so beautifully well. My dad, who was a dental surgeon, would say whenever he heard me sing, “Rose, if you know you want to be a singer, be the Michael Jackson of your time”. He always said that. That motivated me to sing more and going to secondary and tertiary schools I had ample opportunities to sing. But particularly after secondary school in Delta State, I had a friend, whose parents were pastors. On one occasion I went to visit her, I met her mum, who led me to Christ.That was how I became born again. In the university, I went to a student fellowship. When my father passed on, my new parents, those who adopted me, attended Christ Embassy. That was how I joined the ministry. I immediately enrolled in the choir at an early stage.

How long did you serve in Christ Embassy before your big break?

For a while. I started serving in my early twenties. I served for a long time.I used to backup Sinach and other gospel ministers before I started doing my own songs. I did one song, Kings Kid during a camp meeting.

How would you compare the opportunities in gospel music to those in secular music?

If you are doing gospel music, you are doing gospel music. There is no compromise. We don’t compare.

Today, we have gospel music in rap, reggae, hip hop, Afrobeats among others. What do you have to say is the future of gospel music?

We are taking over. Short and simple. Gospel music has lyrics that bless, that inspire, that heal. I can’t write a song that says, “I want to shake my waist” as gospel music. But when I am dancing to a beat that talks about giving glory to God, I will pay attention to that. I think gospel music is piercing quickly. We are diversifying to every genre. The person that is doing rap is doing it and blessing people with it and the reggae and hip hop. To lead some people, you have to leave some people.

You have a new album, Enthroned, which is about to be launched. Where do you see your album getting to?

I have been to South Africa and I have been to Ghana. The Lord gave me the Enthroned album as a tool. It will go around the world and help the gospel. The album will go where I cannot go. It will mend every broken heart, it will heal. If you want to worship, the song is there, if you want to dance, you will find the songs there. It is a complete package.

What would you say to a young singer who believes he can be more famous doing secular songs?

It depends on how they define fame and being famous. Things are changing and gospel singers are now known all over the world. So, there is no competition, but different markets for the genres.

One of your songs is entitled, Kinging. What does it mean?

It means to reign. The word Kinging was originated by Pastor Chris. We are kinging and we reign in the worlds. You should king in your job. It should be that any time there is a problem, you are the one people rally around for solution. That is what it means to be kinging. We king in everything, in our homes, in our workplaces and in every circumstance.

• My greatest fear for Fuji music… —Ayuba

How was it inspired?

My producer got the beat and wanted me to jump on it. We got into the studio, got the chorus and we took some gospel rappers into the song. I had done a song the previous year entitled, Gaining Grounds with three female singers: Ada, Eyo Vincent and Nikki Laoye. When the beat for the Kinging came, I decided to give the opportunity to the guys. The beat was so inspiring everyone wanted to jump on it.

You have a hair brand. How did that come about?

I used to be very quiet and reserved. I didn’t like the glitters, but somehow, when I going into music, I needed to create something. I got this friend of mine to style me. She created my hair. I remember the day she wanted to cut my hair off, I felt like virtue left me. But people liked it. so, I am stucked with it for now.

Do you have any name for it?

I think I like the Rozey hair as a good name. I remember when I was growing up, if you entered a saloon you would say, “I want to do Rihanna”. So, I don’t think Rozey hair is bad.

You mentioned earlier that you were adopted.

Yes. I lost my parents early. Thanks to my new family from my mum’s side. They trained me through school and got me into Christ Embassy.

How did they react to your choice of career?

They are always very proud. They are pastors in Christ Embassy.

During the LIMA, people won over 150m dollars for doing a song. Does that motivate you to do award winning songs?

I am motivated by the word of God, not by the gift. No one gives me money, but when I look at my man of God, I am motivated to do more for the gospel. And that should be every young singers’ motivation. Don’t put money first, money should not be your motivation, but if it comes, you thank God.

You are married with a boy. How did you and your husband meet?

We were friends for a long time. I got to know him from my cousin. He is a very nice and respectful person.

What do you have to say about the task of a gospel singer of keeping their home front and the career?

First of all, I would say the Holy Spirit is my guide. And if you marry your friend, someone who wants everything to go well with you, you will advance more. Right now, I do not have any issue or challenge with my husband. He is my best friend and first critic. If my husband accepts a song, then it is perfect.

Should your son choose to be a gospel singer, what would you do?

If he decides to be a gospel singer, then I will support him.