Gospel To Secular Artistes – For Nigerian Secular Artistes Who Started As Gospel Artistes, But Now Doing Well.
The Nigerian secular music industry is filled with individuals who have had a history in the gospel music industry. Yes, so many artistes are thriving as secular artistes that you never knew were once gospel artistes.
Well, if you want to know these artistes, you have come to the right page. This article will expose the complete list of artists who started their secular careers as Nigerian gospel artistes.
Nigerian Artistes Who Started As Gospel Artistes
Here is a list of top Nigerian secular artistes who began their careers in Gospel
1. Simi
Simi tops the list of secular artistes who started their careers as gospel artistes. Before gaining the limelight with her hit song “Jamb Question”, Simi was known to be a gospel musician. Simi’s case wasn’t a case of just being an ordinary choir member in church. No!
Simi was a full-time gospel musician who sang about God. Simi continued her journey as a gospel musician to the extent that she released several songs and an album to her name. Yes, in 2008, Simi released several songs such as “Ogaju,” “Iya Temi,” “Ara Ile,” and many others.
Later that year, Simi also released her album to cement her stance in the gospel industry. Let’s fast-forward to 16 years later.
In 2024, Simi no longer continues to be a gospel singer. She has transitioned into making secular music to the delight of her global fan base. She revealed the reason for her shift to the secular music industry in 2023.
In the interview, she claimed that churches who wanted her services would pay her as low as N5,000 — N10,000. Furthermore, Simi mentioned that the money was not encouraging and as such, had to make a change.
So far as a secular artiste, Simi has been responsible for the release of hundreds of songs both as a lead artiste and featured artiste. She is also married to another secular singer named, Adekunle Gold
2. Waje
Waje was also known to be a gospel artiste before her break into the Nigerian secular music industry. In fact, it was because of her passion for gospel music that helped her gain a scholarship throughout her secondary education. See how it all began!
While young, Waje was a passionate singer. She was a regular member of her church’s choir. As a young girl, Waje was granted the opportunity to sing in her church. On that occasion, Waje seized the opportunity and entertained the fans with gospel music.
She impressed the Arch Bishop Benson Idahosa in that event. As a result, she was offered a scholarship through school for her secondary education. While in school, she composed gospel songs and released some of them.
Some years later, Waje eventually switched to the secular music industry. In this industry, she has earned several recognitions for her unique style and songwriting skills. Up till date, Waje remains one of the impressive female secular acts that have rocked the Nigerian music scene.
3. J Martins
J Martins is also ranked among secular artistes who have ditched the gospel music industry to thrive in the secular music industry. In the early and mid-2000s, J Martins was a force to reckon with in the music industry.
However, it wasn’t always like that. He was also a known figure in the gospel music industry before finding his feet. Let’s look into J Martins’s early background in the Nigerian music industry.
J Martins was born in a musical household. His mom was a prominent gospel singer in her church. J Martin’s mom was given the Choir Mistress title in church because of her singing prowess. According to J Martins, it was because of her that all seven of his siblings became interested in music.
To begin his musical career, J Martins started as a producer. Back then, J Martins produced only for gospel musicians. This means that he became involved in delivering backups and vocals to gospel musicians who came his way.
Later, J Martins delved into secular music full-time. He made his debut as a secular musician by releasing his track, “Good Or Bad”. This song marked his entry into the secular music industry.
Since then, J Martins has not looked back. J Martins has released and produced songs with artistes like Wizboy, Psquare, and many more in the music industry.
4. Rema
Rema is one artiste who many have thought didn’t have a background in the music industry. In contrast to this popular opinion, he did! Just like 80% of Nigerian secular artiste, Rema started his music in the church.
However, Rema didn’t do this as a solo act. To complete his gospel act journey, Rema teamed up with Alpha P, and together, they went by the name, “RnA”.
Rema and Alpha P released their earliest songs as gospel songs. Their song revolved around spreading the gospel message about God. However, their time as gospel artistes didn’t last too long. After a short period, the Rema and Alpha P decided to switch to secular music.
Their songs were mainly hip-hop and trap sound. It was from this music style that Rema and Alpha P got noticed as artistes. Well, the duo of Rema and Alpha P didn’t last for long, as they broke up after some time together.
Now, both Rema and Alpha P are thriving as secular artistes. Rema is currently signed to Mavins Record while Alpha P is paraded as one of the talented hip-hop artistes in Nigeria.
Both have successfully paid their dues to the gospel industry and are paving paths for themselves in the Nigerian secular industry.
Summary
Aside from having a gospel background, these artistes share a common trait. This trait is that they were determined to make a difference in their careers.
So, they switched to another industry where they knew they would thrive. Now there have been lots of questions by the fans asking, “Did they switch to secular music for the money or fame or what exactly”? Tell us in the comment section.
