Music holds a significant role in the act of worship and expressing praise towards God. Humans have been given the remarkable ability to sing and create music, a gift from God Himself. In Ephesians 5:19, it is stated, "Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart."
In order to become a gospel musician in Nigeria, you will need to be very determined, diligent, hardworking, and above all, be genuinely devoted to God.
The purpose of gospel music is to exalt and honor God, as well as to spread the message of salvation throughout the world. However, it is crucial to remain vigilant so that you will not be enticed by fame and wealth, which may divert your focus and dilute your purpose as a gospel singer.
Therefore, it is important to know your priorities and seek divine guidance. As mentioned in Psalms 96:1-2, "Sing to the Lord a new song, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise His name; proclaim His salvation day after day." Thus, when embarking on your gospel music journey, ensure that your intentions are pure, aiming to worship God and proclaim His benevolence to the world. Additionally, strive to create music that is pleasing to God.
Steps to Becoming a Gospel Artist in Nigeria Without Connections
1. Enhance Your Singing Skills:
The initial step towards becoming a successful gospel artist in Nigeria is to enhance your singing skills. Your voice is the primary instrument that will define your success in this field. While there are other important aspects, your singing ability is what sets you apart as a singer.
This is a crucial aspect that should not be taken lightly. Therefore, it is essential to work on improving your voice. You can achieve this by watching numerous voice training videos and practicing regularly.
Additionally, pay attention to your runs and riffs, as they contribute to your overall vocal performance.
Furthermore, it is important to focus on both your high and low notes. Many gospel artists excel at hitting high notes but struggle with low notes, while others perform well in low notes but struggle with high notes.
Having such weaknesses as a gospel artist can undermine your professionalism. To become a professional gospel artist in Nigeria, it is also important to avoid certain foods that can negatively impact your voice. These include fried foods, excessive consumption of cold water, and alcohol.
2. Become a Member of the Church Choir:
Developing your skills as a gospel artist will lead you to the next step - becoming a member of the choir department in your church.
The choice of church you join will play a significant role in determining your fame and success, so it is crucial to take your time in making this decision.
In Nigeria, it is relatively easy for a gospel singer to gain fame by joining the choirs of popular churches such as Christ Embassy, TREM, RCCG, Dominion City, House on the Rock, and HICC. However, it is important to note that not all choirmasters or music directors allow individuals with no singing abilities to join their choirs.
Allowing someone without a teaching background or skills to teach is similar to allowing someone who cannot sing to join a choir.
Joining such a choir without prior knowledge of singing will only lead to embarrassment for both yourself and the church.
As a gospel artist, it is essential to learn how to sing before joining a choir. A serious or professional choir will typically audition you to assess your singing abilities before offering you a position. Depending on the church and its financial capabilities, you may even be paid for your services as a choir member.
Joining your church choir is the first significant step that can propel you to fame and success as a gospel artist in Nigeria.
3. Explore the works of other gospel music artists within the industry:
This is a crucial step to become a gospel musician in Nigeria. By listening to other artists, you can gain valuable insights into songwriting and develop your own unique musical style. There are numerous advantages in listening to the music of fellow gospel artists:
i. You can find encouragement and inspiration through the gospel message conveyed in their music.
ii. You can discover new and diverse musical styles and genres.
iii. You can acquire fresh perspectives and approaches to creating music.
4. Embrace constructive criticism and feedback:
While it may be challenging to accept constructive criticism, it is an invaluable tool for personal growth and advancement in your music career. Constructive criticism can originate from various sources as you embark on your gospel music journey.
Firstly, it can come from the Holy Spirit as you strive to be obedient to His guidance and direction in your music. Secondly, it can come from fellow believers, your music mentor, or your pastor.
However, it is important to focus on the positive aspects of the feedback and use them to enhance your skills.
Remember to remain grounded and steadfast in your faith as you pursue a career in music. Prioritize your personal devotion, prayer, and Bible study.
Additionally, develop a clear vision for your music. Gain a thorough understanding of your target audience and devise effective strategies to connect with them. This will serve as a guiding force as you take the necessary steps to launch your career.
Pursuing a career in gospel music may present challenges, but it is crucial to recognize that success takes time. If you possess a genuine passion for your music and are willing to put in the hard work, you will eventually achieve your musical aspirations.
5. Ascend to the Position of Praise or Worship Leader:
After becoming a member of your church choir, your next goal should be to rise to the position of a praise or worship leader quickly. I emphasize this because I have witnessed singers who remain as backup singers for too long without recognizing their own potential and working towards becoming a praise or worship leader.
Although it requires additional effort, it is not an impossible feat. Show yourself to be worthy and capable. After all, the praise and worship leaders in your church are not extraordinary beings. Once you become a praise or worship leader in your church, you will begin to gain popularity within the congregation.
6. Showcase your Talent on Social Media:
Social media platforms offer numerous advantages. With just a click, it has the power to transform ordinary individuals into popular figures. If you aspire to become a gospel artist in Nigeria, it is crucial to utilize social media as a means to share your singing skills.
I have witnessed aspiring musicians in Nigeria, who may not have connections to wealthy or influential individuals, being signed by renowned record labels solely because they showcased their singing abilities on social media. Therefore, it is very important to showcase your talent and musical performances at events through social media platforms.
Short videos ranging from 30 seconds to 1 minute tend to perform exceptionally well on social media. Undoubtedly, social media stands as the second most vital tool for aspiring gospel artists in Nigeria.
7. Organize an Annual Concert:
Another effective approach to rapidly ascend as a gospel artist in Nigeria is to organize your own yearly concert. This strategy has been adopted by numerous prominent gospel artists. As a beginner, your concert need not be extravagant or costly; it can be a modest worship gathering. Over time, you can gradually increase the number of attendees.
Organizing an annual worship concert can be financially demanding. You will need to allocate funds for various aspects to ensure the smooth execution of the event. Expenses may include sound systems, lighting, power supply, instrumentalists, backup singers, and logistical arrangements. To reduce this financial burden, seeking sponsors can be advantageous.
8. Create Your Own Music
Regardless of how well your fans know and adore you, it is essential to provide them with the opportunity to listen to your music even when you are not present. This is why it is crucial to record your own songs and make them available for download or streaming online. When it comes to recording in a studio, you have the option to either perform live or have your music producer create beats for you to sing along to.
Moreover, it is of utmost importance to compose your own songs rather than using the work of other artists to avoid any copyright issues. If you are not skilled in songwriting, you can collaborate with song composers who can write songs specifically for you.
9. Surround yourself with the right people:
Surrounding yourself with the right individuals is of utmost importance. It is crucial to seek out individuals who not only support your music career but also share your passion for gospel music. These like-minded individuals will serve as a source of encouragement throughout your journey.You can find such individuals within your local church community or by engaging with online groups and forums.
Additionally, it is essential to maintain strong relationships with friends and family who can provide emotional support and encouragement. Networking plays a vital role in your career, particularly within the music industry.
By establishing connections with the right people, you can gain valuable advice, find potential collaborators, and discover new opportunities. Attending events such as conferences and workshops is an effective way to build these relationships and expand your network.
10. Share Your Music on Streaming Platforms:
Once you have recorded your songs and ensured that they meet high-quality standards, it is time to upload them on various social media platforms to start earning money from your music.
There are several online streaming platforms and social media platforms where you can upload your songs to monetize them, including:
1. Apple Music
2. YouTube Music
3. Epidemicsound
4. Spotify
5. Amazon Music Unlimited
6. Tidal HiFi
The beauty of recording songs as a gospel artist is that you will continue to earn money from your music as long as people have access to it.
Tips to market your gospel music effectively
1. To effectively market your music, consider hosting live shows and webinars to engage with your audience.
2. Develop a strong brand identity by incorporating logos, colors, and other visual elements that represent your music.
3. Ensure consistency across all social media platforms to enhance recognition of your brand and music.
4. Expand your reach by performing at local gatherings, reaching out to radio stations, and collaborating with music venues to become part of the local music scene.
5. Keep track of your marketing efforts by monitoring metrics and analyzing the results.
Remember, the key to success in your music career lies in involving God, keeping your heart and mind focused on Him.
With Him at the center, He will guide and direct you on your journey, even during challenging times. Additionally, seek opportunities to serve and minister through your music, such as performing at church services and charitable events.