Gospel singer, Frank Edwards has said the gospel industry hinders the profitability of gospel artists.
He revealed this during an interview with Punch Newspapers.
According to him, the profit issue stems from the fact that the industry and ministry are not the same thing.
He added that gospel artists do not really need to concentrate on getting brand endorsements because they should be focusing on winning souls.
“There are so several reasons. Firstly, you have to understand that the industry and ministry is not the same thing. Gospel music is a ministry, the other one is an industry, so it functions fully like that.
“The gospel ministry is totally different from the secular industry even though you might say that there is a business side of it which makes it similar. However, in gospel ministry, the business aspect of it is never the focus. I tell people that if you want to make money, don’t do gospel music; you would have tons of issues.
“Gospel music means one is reaching out to people through music; the others are strictly entertainment or at least 70-80 per cent entertainment. The company would rather give the opportunity to musicians who sing songs that all religions, including Christians, would dance to, either at a party or in a club.
“The companies are looking for numbers, and they would give the brand ambassadorship to someone who everybody loves their music. If the companies give it to gospel singers like me, people who don’t listen to gospel would probably not pay attention.
“Although I’m a brand ambassador, it is not everything that one must do as a gospel artiste. When you are not getting endorsements, think of how several souls you music has healed– that’s your reward.”