Singer Ric Hassani has offered his take on the growing trend of gospel musicians crossing over to the secular music industry, saying the decision is driven more by a quest for fulfilment than by financial gain.
In an interview with Hip TV, the ‘Gentleman’ crooner, who began his music journey in church, explained that many gospel artistes make the switch not because they are chasing fame or wealth, but because they lack the divine calling required for gospel ministration.
He said, “Gospel is beyond singing. You have to be blessed to be able to interpret God’s words through music. For example, there is no way a Katty Perry would communicate God’s words through music the way CeCe Winans does. I feel like CeCe is blessed with being able to communicate the Holy Spirit through music. Whitney Houston is blessed in a different way.”
Hassani stressed that not everyone is called to serve in the church and that some artistes are better suited to impacting the world through secular music.
“I don’t feel this idea of everybody must be in church. Some of us were made for the world. I also have Christian songs. I’m a very strong Christian. In all my albums, there is at least one gospel song. But that’s not really my calling. I’m meant to impact the world in a different way, with a different kind of music. I’m not going to do it the way Frank Edwards or Mercy Chinwo is going to do it. If I enter church music now, I fit no bang. It’s not my thing,” he added.
The singer, whose real name is Ikechukwu Ahiauzu, also emphasised that the decision to move into secular music should not be dismissed as a pursuit of wealth, noting that even some of the most successful artistes continue to create simply out of passion.
“People leaving gospel music for secular music is not about money. Creatives or people who are blessed with these gifts like money, everybody likes money. But the real fulfilment is being able to do it and exist doing it. Even the Wizkids, the Burnas that have all the money in the world… If it was really about money, then Davido has no business doing anything because he has all the money he would ever need.”
“So, it’s not really about money. The kind of satisfaction that comes from being able to think of an idea of a thing and put it on the record and create music is beyond money. It’s bigger than any satisfaction money can give you,” he concluded.
Ric Hassani, known for his soulful and alternative sound, rose to prominence with his 2016 breakout hit ‘Gentleman.’
Over the years, he has maintained a distinct identity in Nigeria’s music scene, often weaving themes of love, purpose and personal belief into his songs.
His comments come at a time when several Nigerian artistes, including Chidinma Ekile and Banky W, have either switched genres or embraced gospel music more fully.
