UK-based singer, Ayodeji Emmanuel has urged Nigerian gospel singers to listen and hear more from God as a source of inspiration for gospel songs.
Having been in the studios and on the stage in England and Nigeria, Ayodeji opens up on what he terms the biggest challenge faced by gospel singers.
In his words, “The biggest challenge musicians face in Nigeria, in my own opinion, is hearing God. I think people want to sing their own song, not the song of God. God sings, and He puts melody in our hearts. We must be patient to hear His songs so that we can create the impact He wants to create.
“Publicity is not the challenge; once you sing His songs, the whole world will hear you.”
Continuing, he said, “The United Kingdom is much more difficult because Christianity here is regarded as a religion, not as a way of life. Closeness to God is still a massive work in progress, but God is moving fast, and the time is now.”
Ayo Emmanuel has delved deeper into things with God and his pursuit since landing in the UK. An author with the book ‘Move: It’s Time to Recover All,’Ayodeji shuttles between being a writer and a singer.
“Music is my first love. I started very early at the age of seven in CAC (Christ Apostolic Church). As a young man, you don’t really know yourself until you begin to exploit the possibilities that God has placed inside of you,” he says.
He adds, “It became evident that God is calling me into a deeper assignment, so I began to ask God what next. One day, I was listening to a Preacher who spoke about writing a book and also, in the same vein, encouraged Men of God to write books and not just sit idle. Just at that moment, I heard the Holy Spirit say, ‘You need to write a book.’ That was when the nudge and inspiration came.
Although writing has been inside of me. I have written some drama and playlets while growing up, but publishing a book wasn’t something I was thinking of, but when God spoke, His Grace followed.”
With plans for a new album, Ayodeji has produced four singles and tries to balance being an academic, a writer, and a singer.
