Marriage kills careers of gospel artistes – Anne Inyang

Unassuming and humble are some of the words that best describe popular gospel singer, Princess Anne Inyang, whose hit track, Aka’anam nkwe , has become a church anthem of a sort.

Despite being largely unknown as the brain behind popular Christian songs Things are Getting Better, You are Worthy Lord, God Cannot Lie His Word Must Surely Come to Pass and Winner, the soft-spoken singer would rather have her work speak for her.

At a time critics believe a major issue confronting the gospel music genre in Nigeria is the poor quality of its videos, Inyang, who currently controls the 13-man Saints Music Band, thinks otherwise.

Decrying what she calls apathy towards gospel music artistes by Nigerian media owners, the Yaba College of Technology, Banking and Finance graduate says, “Our greatest problem is airtime. In fact it is killing our career. Media owners do not accord us airplay but they play secular music from Monday to Sunday and then tell you that gospel music is ‘religious’.

“I have lived in South Africa where gospel music is played much more than secular music. In fact, they play it every day. Music is music. It is a calling, talent and gift irrespective of the direction you want to shift to. There are people who love gospel music. Let them have their choice instead of pushing it away from people. If you don’t play those songs how will people hear them? It is a pain in this country, because I travel overseas and my songs receive generous airplay.”

The singer’s music talent was spotted by the late highlife legend, Bobby Benson, who offered her an opportunity to sing in his club alongside her female band members, known as G-4. After having been out of marriage for years, she also recently found love a second time in the arms of Hon. Justice Chudi Nwokorie. The couple tied the knot in a lavish ceremony held in April, in the bride’s hometown in Akwa-Ibom State and Lagos.

Paying glowing tributes to her husband, she says, “I enjoyed being a single woman because I had my time to myself. But I thank God I have someone who understands me, allows me to be myself and keep my maiden name. He is very caring and persistent. It took me a long time to finally say yes but he was convinced about me. One thing about gospel music is that once you are married your career will die down, especially if you marry a pastor and I was afraid of that.

“This was not unconnected to the fact that I have a passion for music which began at an early stage. My husband had invited my band to perform at his father’s burial and when he was appointed a judge. But we never had any romantic dealings. I just noticed that he had developed some romantic feelings for me last year. Although he is in a reserved profession and I am in a loud one, we complement each other.”

For the artiste who left a thriving banking career in 1998 to do music full time, it hasn’t been smooth sailing all the while. Indeed, just like most of her colleagues, the activities of marketers have been a pain in her neck. With a new music video from her album titled Yanfu Yanfu currently in the works, she laments her plight saying, “I have a serious challenge in the marketing and promotion of my albums, which has cost me a lot of money. Most of the vehicles and costumes they use in shooting their videos are borrowed. I thank Yoruba people for patronising Yoruba artistes. Some churches see gospel songs as a free gift. Yes, the gift is free but the wherewithal to nurture the gift is expensive. It costs me a lot of money to produce my albums and shoot my songs’ videos. I don’t know why some telecommunication companies don’t like sponsoring gospel albums.

“Piracy has become endemic in music industry. There was a time I was with some musicians, and I kept repeating a word and later turned it into a song. It was surprised to listen to a song someone that was with me that day recorded and added that idea I created. I have learnt my lessons, anyway. It won’t happen again.”

RipplesNigeria …without borders, without fears

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now