Rita Odafe
Renowned artist Ric Hassani has shed light on the reasons some gospel artists transition to secular music.
He believes the motivation often stems from a desire for personal satisfaction rather than just monetary rewards.
In his comments, he emphasized that many musicians who begin in the gospel scene later move to the secular sphere because they may lack the true calling for ministry.
During a recent discussion with Hip TV, Hassani revealed that he started his musical journey within the church but chose to switch when he realized it wasn’t his true purpose.
He stated, “Gospel music goes deeper than merely performing. To convey God’s message through song, one needs to be divinely inspired. For instance, Katy Perry cannot express God’s messages through music as CeCe Winans does. CeCe possesses a unique gift for sharing the spirit through her work, just as Whitney Houston had her own divine talents.”
“I believe not everyone is meant to stay in the church. Some of us are destined for broader horizons. I create Christian songs and consider myself a dedicated Christian. Every album I produce includes at least one gospel track, but that isn’t my primary calling. I aim to influence the world through a different musical style. My approach won’t mirror that of Frank Edwards or Mercy Chinwo. If I were to produce church music now, it wouldn’t resonate with me.”
“The decision to leave gospel music for secular avenues is not purely about financial incentives. Creatives, like anyone else, enjoy financial success, but true fulfillment comes from being able to create and live out that passion. Even successful artists like Wizkid and Burna Boy, who have amassed significant wealth, wouldn’t be pursuing music if money was their sole motivation. If it were purely about wealth, Davido wouldn’t need to engage in new projects, given his success.”
“Ultimately, it’s about a deeper sense of fulfillment. The joy from bringing a concept to life through music far exceeds any financial gain. That satisfaction transcends monetary benefits.”
