#Exclusive Interview: The Afro Gospel Culture is about freedom, about independence – Babatunde Adeleke

I know one die hard fan of AnEndlessOcean and he does not just love his songs alone, he is also a huge fan of Afro Gospel songs. Catch up with Babatunde’s perspective and find out his interesting opinion about afro gospel.

1. Please introduce yourself. (Your name, and what you do?) 

I am Babatunde Adeleke, I am in branding and perception  business, working in the intersection between Journalism, public relations and reputation management.  I am in a relationship and I enjoy listening to music and podcasts, reading and watching informational materials to sharpen my edge.  

2. I have always known you to be a fan of An Endless Ocean, why do you like him so much?

A bit of back story, AnEndlessOcean is from Ibadan, the first time I would listen to him was a church in Ibadan. He sounded different, at that time, afro gospel wasn’t even a thing as it is now.  I didn’t recall him again until other sounds like him started coming out.  He came back on the stage and it was like we picked up our bromance from where we left off.  That’s why I love him so much.  

3. Afro Gospel has been around for a while, but it became really prevalent lately. What can you say about the Afro Gospel culture? 

The Afro Gospel Culture is about freedom, about independence, flair and expressions. It’s a sub-culture that is associated with the young and the very expressive, self-effacing generation.  Some say it’s an adaptation of the secular afro-beat and trying to bring the sound to church but when you go back to the Genesis of gospel Afro-beat, you will see that this is not the case.  The existence of gospel afrobeat came in the early 2010s with the likes of Rooftop MCs, Frank Edward, Henrisoul, Mike Abdul. Now, look at that timeline, and we will see that it’s even ahead of the secular afrobeat as we know it today.  

Read More: #Exclusive Interview: I Didn’t Want to Dance To Secular Songs – Ujunwa Igwenagu

4. While the culture is a good thing for younger Christians, there are yet still many debate about this, especially as regards the dress sense and lifestyle of most of these singers. What do you think about that?

I have lived by this truth “Jesus is the standard, every other person is a pointer“ If the pointer chooses to turn another way, the standard remains. Dress sense, while subjective, scriptures is clear that all things must be done in moderation. The lifestyle of a lot of afrogospel artistes is humanely.  They know people look up to them and that keeps them cautioned.  There are occasional sidesteps here and there, of course.  But if we all regard Jesus as the master and we see them only as the channels that they are, I believe we will see it clearly for what it is.  

5. On a scale of 1-10, how edifying do you think most afro gospel songs are? Give your reasons please. 

7 – I listen to a wide range and I would say 7 because yes, a number of afrogospel songs are edifying and well stepped in the reality of scriptures; I can point out several AEO’s tracks, Gaisebaba, Limoblaze and some others. There are others who sometimes get carried away with the sound they are putting out and they shift away from the scripture-centric music they have always been making.  

6. Considering your work as a writer, and PR personnel, do you think these afro gospel artists are building a quality brand? Please state the reason for your answers. 

Again, it is relative.  If you lump the sector together, you will be tempted to answer a straight no. When you cut through the noise and you analyze individually, the pieces start coming together. While they might not pull every random person like the secular afrobeat artistes, I dare say that several afro gospel acts have loyal followings and the brand is well sought after.  

Again, due to the set of rules they have to abide by, you will most likely not see these folks sell merch or things like that, but in terms of marketability, they are up there for the young Christians who are up and doing. Yes, I believe they are building a quality brand, even if it is niched and the appeal is not as broad.  It’s quality over noise. 

Read More: Exclusive Interview: ‘We Are To Test All Spirits’ Nekabari Godzboi, on Afro-gospel Artists Replicating Pop Stars

7. What are your favorite afro gospel songs? List 5

Bire  – AEO 

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Elijah Level – Gaise Baba 

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Miracle – Moses Bliss ft. Festizie & Chizie

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Commando – Greatman Takit 

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Jireh – Limoblaze, leCrae, Hapi 

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Morning devotion – Street church, Greatman Takit, Nina Sheez 

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8. Who is your favorite singer, after AEO? And why is that?

A hard tie between Gaise Baba and Greatman Takit.  They just come through with that banging beat but that’s not all, when you sit down and sift through, you will find undiluted word of God in those lines.  It’s like reading your Bible in the language of the street and setting a tune to it.

If you will like us to interview you in our next edition, please reach out via our social media handles. 

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