We all have that friend who makes music in one form or the other. From singing in the quiet of their rooms or singing in the church choir, to making their own music, and performing at events, their love for music and their love for God is bold and evident. They’re the friends who participate in countdowns for new Afro-gospel releases and take it upon themselves to learn every line, including the chants.

That feeling of being in church and wondering, “Ah, when did they sing this one again” or keeping quiet because you don’t know a particular tune? That’s never them.

They learn and grow and incorporate these influences to create their own music, stirring up other people to worship God. On their social media, it’s not uncommon to see them identify as ‘Worshipper’, ‘Minstrel’ and much more.

Read Also: Evolutions That Gospel Singers Are Adopting to Make Themselves Better

If this sounds like your friend, and you’ve been wondering how you can help them grow, or create a platform for their sound to reach more people, you’re in the right place; this piece was created for you!

Becoming the ‘Manager’ Your Friend Needs in 3 easy steps.

Step one: Be their loudest cheerleader.

The life of an artist, especially an up-coming one, is full of ups and downs, and issues like low views on their social media, or being sidelined at events for bigger artists tend to bring down their morale. This is where you come in. You need to be their biggest and their loudest hypeman. Before they build a strong fanbase, it is up to you to be their support system; cheering them up when they’re down and pushing them to create more.

Remind them of God’s promises, and the gift He has placed in their hands. A word here and a prayer there will do a lot to inspire them.

Step two: Give constructive criticism where necessary.

As they finetune their craft, there will be one or two hiccups on the way. A line that isn’t well rounded, or a chorus that does not sound as pleasing as it should. Don’t be afraid to give honest feedback. Yes, you are their friend, but failing to tell them where they can improve does not do them any favours.

Correct them in love, and give helpful tips before they release music publicly. Remember, It is easier to support an artist when you believe in the quality of their work.

Step three: Connect them with your circle.

You may not have connections in the music industry, but a little goes a long way. Publicize them to people around you. Don’t just repost their content with “Listen to this please.” Let your belief in them show. Captions like “This sound from heaven is what you need in this season!” show enthusiasm and excitement.

Connect them with your cousin who is hosting a program, or your pastor who has an interest in rising artists. Your niece who is a graphics designer looking for projects she can learn from can design a flyer for their next concert.

Community is valuable currency, and you can use it to boost up your friend. Supporting your friend is more than just money. It is presence, consistency and faith in their ministry. Be a friend that sticks closer than a brother. And when the rest of the world comes to their rising, your joy will be full, knowing that you not only watched them ‘blow’ but you played a part in making it happen.

So, let’s put what we’ve learnt into action. Think of your friend who is an Afro-gospel singer, and drop their social media handles in the comments so other people can discover them!