Debate Soars on Why Many Zambian Gospel Artistes are ‘Backsliding’

[Photo Credit: Hype Magazine]

By Kinyua Mwangi

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Zambian gospel artiste Rachel Kabeba has sparked a fiery debate on a growing trend where gospel artistes decamp to the secular world after years in ministry.

Rachel recently wondered aloud why this is the case. She directed the debate to the court of public opinion which had a lot to say about his particular issue.

“The church keeps losing creatives to secularism, where are we going wrong, what are your thoughts?” she posed.

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According to some fans, money, power and fame all come from the secular world.

Lombe Jessy maintained that it is difficult for an artiste who is in the gospel industry to enjoy this.

Justine Miracle had a new twist saying that those who have left the gospel industry for secular music are tired of pretending and living a lie.

“It's because all of those leaving the Gospel industry there was all faking it deep down they didn't have Jesus Christ,” Justine opined.

Nkandu Mkandi said: “I honestly think that it's not even about being fake or anything like that. Sometimes when someone is a "Christian" artist, a lot of people are put in a box, told what or what they can't make art about. Abel Chungu for example is for all intents and purposes a Christian artist but got a lot of backlash when he did love songs.

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“Internationally, Lecrae still receives a lot of hate for doing Conscious rap. So I personally think that if you are making music that is morally sound and in line with your Christian values then go ahead, but more often than not, society and the church don't see it that way.”

Another reason cited is the lack of enough support in the gospel industry, with a fan comparing a turn out in a gospel concert versus a secular one.

 “The church does not attend most shows for gospel singers hence the gospel singers end up joining where they can support them...Imagine how Mampi will have people ku show yakwe and how Chileshe Bwalya's show will have a few people... Money is the reason why they go secular,” Bornface Yaaya Malichi said.