Timi Dakolo has continued to call out clergymen who criticize gospel musicians for charging fees to minister at church events
Taking to Instagram, Dakolo addressed the controversy, clarifying that he is not a gospel artist but a Christian who makes music. He also highlighted the hypocrisy of churches paying foreign artists in dollars while undervaluing local gospel musicians.
“First off, I am not a gospel musician. I am a Christian that does music. I have been in choir for years, seen it all. Singing your heart out and trekking home. Everybody tasking each other to go home. Yet you people invite foreign artists and pay them in dollars, fly them and their whole crew down, book the best hotels, and provide logistics. Now that the people have learned and understood their value, gaslighting has started.”
He further lamented that many choir members struggle to afford basic necessities, including transportation and even choir uniforms, yet churches refuse to pay them fairly.
“Gospel musicians are definitely not the problem. They are not the ones building schools and charging fees their members can’t pay.”
Using renowned gospel artist Don Moen as an example, Dakolo pointed out that churches wouldn’t dare offer him just ₦5 million, yet they expect local gospel musicians to perform for free or for meager amounts.
“We like to undervalue our own. Treat them small. What’s with the mentality of ‘Fly but not so high’? You people should stop. As much as music and worship are spiritual, they are also art. The chord progression, synchronization, harmony, and sweet melody IS ART. It took years of practice to learn, and THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE PAYING FOR – VALUE.”
He emphasized that the music ministry is just as important as any other in the church and urged religious leaders to respect and compensate musicians accordingly.
“Oga, preach Jesus and Jesus alone. Value people and their craft. Even inside church, not everybody earns the same salary. If you divide money for choir members instead of guests, they will sing their hearts out. All this was said in love.”
Dakolo’s statement has sparked widespread debate, with many agreeing that gospel musicians deserve fair compensation for their work.
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