My worry about current generation of gospel music artistes—Seun Are

Seun Are is one of the children of the gospel music legend, Evangelist Bola Are. From all indications, the United Kingdom-based gospel minister has taken after his mother. In this interview by SEYI SOKOYA, he speaks on the development and his assessment of today’s gospel music.

 

You have not only explored your music talent in the industry, but also showcased that you have been influenced by your mother’s career. How do you feel about this?

God is the giver of gifts and I bless Him for the gift he has given me through my mother. I can say that without my mother and God, I won’t be where I am today. Many have talents but their parents don’t support  them and they get discouraged along the line. I feel blessed using my gift for God and not for the world.

Buhari: Timi Frank backs Pa Adebanjo, alleges fraud in 2019 Presidential election

How did you discover you had passion for music?

I can’t say I discovered this passion at some point; I was born into the home of a legend in gospel music. It is a home of music; I watched my mother’s band rehearsals twice in a week where I learnt about music. I also accompanied my mother to ministrations without knowing that I would also become a gospel minister later in life. The major thing is that no one can be around my mother without being active. So, all the trainings from age six till when I left home were what made what I have become.  I remember, even as a young boy, I backed my mother for five hours at a stretch on the stage and one dared not sit down, because it was like I was under tutelage. So, growing up, I realised all these were already in me. Despite the fact that I am now a qualified software engineer, my music career is still what I love to push to a greater height.

 

You are making conscious effort to give your career a facelift in the industry. Don’t you see this as an act of competition with your mother?

I have always loved to do things of my own; run a race of my own, regardless of the influence from parents or in the market world. Yes, there is competition in the industry, as they call it, but as for me, I compete with no one. I am committed to pushing my music to all parts of the world so as to fully fill God’s mandate.  Competition exposes one to do the unexpected, as well as make people derail from the right path. As for me, I know who I am and I know what I carry. It’s unfortunate that secular songs are making waves than gospel nowadays; so, we, genuine gospel ministers, must not relent to make things right and foster the gospel mission God has deposited in our care.

 

How do you feel having a popular gospel musician as a mother?

I see these as a rare privilege. I am proud to be the son of a respected and renowned gospel musician. I see this as a prestige, because it has opened a lot of doors for me. We are four and it is my sister, Yetunde and I that are doing this actively and I have always seen my sister as my mentor. I have learnt a lot from her and I am still learning, no competition whatsoever.  I rely more on her for guidance, as she started this long before me. Our mother is known for indigenous music; I found myself follow same trend now; we are taking it to a greater level, to what we call a contemporary style and it is strictly gospel.

 

You are one of the advocates of the drive to restore sanity in the gospel ministry…

Yes. I am proud to be an advocate of sanity in the gospel ministry and I don’t mind to be the only voice speaking about this. I am so ashamed of what gospel music is turning to in our generation. We are becoming a lost generation that are of equal yoke with the world. I weep for this new gospel generation that has to adopt the style of secular music before their song can be accepted. Nowadays, you hear different slangs in gospel that do not glorify God and people are defending the use of such slangs and dances in gospel songs. I wonder how God is feeling about it.  The abomination of few years back is has become the norm of now in gospel. I will continue to preach the truth and sing the gospel song as it should and I know God helps me.

 

It seems you are angry at some gospel singers?

Who am I to be angry at anyone singing as they like? I am only worried about the next generation after what we are experiencing in gospel music today. If we have started this way, It only shows that we are all running an individual race and I am sure we are going to give account to God all we did with our gifts. I think we now confuse the younger ones. These artistes know they are guilty of this trend, but I am no one’s judge. The generation that passed the baton to us didn’t pass us wrong values.

 

How do we identity a true gospel artiste?

By their fruits we shall know them. A true gospel artiste will not have to please the audience, but God.

 

How can you been able to push your career abroad?

I believe anywhere I am in the world, my voice must be heard because of the covenant I have with God. I have been able to give my career a facelift in the United Kingdom. I know God is taking me on a journey, so I don’t need to do it on my own. God is pushing it and opening doors. I am also learning in the process. Though it may look hard to push here, but with God all things are possible. I will do my part and God will seal it up for me.

 

How many albums do you have to your credit?

I have two albums to my credit; There is no one like Jehovah and Gratitude I also have a single entitled: I have Dominion and more to come by the grace of God.

 

How are you able to combine your career and work as a software engineer?

I work as a software engineer on Mondays to Fridays, and I do my ministerial work at weekends for now.

 

What has been your greatest challenge?

In gospel, you have to fund your own project, concerts albums etc. People prefer to pay VIPs for comedy shows than to pay for CDs for free concerts. But, I don’t rely on income from albums, that is why I am working as a professional. I can’t be lazy waiting for income from CDs. It has been a great challenge for most artistes. To be honest, if not for God, we cannot forge ahead.

 

How do you draw inspiration?

It is all about consecration. I set myself aside for God; waiting on God in fasting, staying up at night to get inspiration and listen to teachings from great men of God.

 

How would you react to claim that Christians are not helping in the growth of gospel music?

Yes, it is very true. In fact, some believers prefer to dance to secular music at their events. Even some ministers of God find pleasure in dancing to secular songs at their reception, though we still have a few people that stand for gospel, no matter the situation. Some people even tell us  that we are working for God, which means we should not expect anything after ministration. So, how does this help gospel music to move forward?