I did not make money from my first album because marketers pirated it —Chioma Jesus

You are more popular in the industry because of your use of indigenous language. How were you able to achieve this?

I would say it is by the special grace of God. It is one thing to be called and another thing to know the area of your calling. When you know the area of your calling and you stay by it, you will not miss it. We all are not called to sing in English Language. At least, through us, the indigenous gospel singers, the aged and the children are carried along in the music industry. I know the area of my call and I am enjoying it. Above all, this is what has kept me going.

 

How has it been since you started music?

It has been from glory to glory. The secret of my rise has been through the power of God and His anointing upon me. If it were by my own plan, it was never my dream to be a musician. My desired goal was just to love and serve God. I was enjoying life as a businesswoman when God called me, though it took me a while before I heeded the call. I remember I had visions where I saw myself singing and churches were inviting me for ministration and with the help of the Holy Spirit, I was able to adhere to the call and here I am today.  It was not as if I inherited music from anyone in my family, though, I learnt that my father was also a singer when he was a young man. He only entertained his peers through music, but it was not gospel music.

 

How did you come about Chioma Jesus?

It came as a revelation which later became the title of my first song. It has taken over my name and even become my stage name. My real is Amaka Ukwa and people are not really familiar with that. However, everything is working for good for me. The name actually surfaced from the hit track of my first album entitled: “Chioma,” which means my ‘good God.’

 

What is the major focus of your brand of music?

The message is that Jesus Christ understands all languages. Worship comes out of your heart. It is written in the book of John chapter 4 VS 24: “God is a spirit and they that will worship Him will worship in the spirit and in truth.” Once you are singing in spirit and in truth, God whom you are worshipping understands the language and the spirit will carry everybody along.

 

Why gospel and not secular music?

As a born-again Christian, I see myself as an ambassador of Christ and cannot fit into the secular world. I am not in the gospel music to sing alone, but also to use it as a tool to win souls for God’s kingdom. So, I have the mandate to use my talent to depopulate the kingdom of hell by using music to touch people’s heart and set captives free.

 

What has been your greatest challenge?

Challenges are numerous, but the grace of God has been sufficient. I had a financial challenge when I wanted to release my first album. There was no money. But I prayed to God for divine help and He connected me with a woman that helped me and the album became a success and people loved the hit track entitled: “Chioma,” but the marketers squandered my money. I did not get any royalty from it. The marketers pirated my songs. My name became popular and the song was everywhere but there was no income. No money was coming in any way.  The experience was very challenging, so, I had to pray and seek the face of God for an intervention. Though experience almost made me to give up, God eventually crowned all my struggles with total breakthrough. The other challenge I had as a woman was how I waited for 15 years before I gave birth to my daughter. Though I had a son, it took me that long year to have my second child.

 

What is your assessment of the gospel music industry?

God is really manifesting Himself in the midst of genuine gospel artistes and the entire industry. Gospel songs can never go into extinction. For instance, as old as my song ‘Chioma Jesus,’ it still remains fresh in the ears of people. Gospel songs are so wonderful that they raise hopes and restore lives.

 

Your fashion statement has also made your brand unique.

What we do is very sensitive and we must glorify God in all ramifications. So aside my voice, my lifestyle, mode of dressing must project a true Christian. Since I gave my life to Christ, I have been very conscious of my lifestyle and this effort has influenced many lives positively, especially those that take me as their role model. I am always delighted when I am on my flowing gowns. I also succumb to the word of God that says a child of God should dress in a way that would please God and men. As a gospel artiste, it is ideal to always showcase yourself in a way that will glory God and not to tempt or distract people, especially during ministrations. My hat has also become a trademark it is not as if I love it dearly, but I adopted it when my hit song brought me to limelight. It is more that a style, but has become a signature to my brand.  Sometimes people hardly recognise me if I do not wear a hat.