The music industry in Nigeria is an open one, glamsquad reports
To be in the spotlight, you must have a combination of work, individuality, talent, and innovation.
It’s no surprise that performers switch from one genre to another in pursuit of significance.
It is not unique to Nigeria, but occurs all around the world; musicians migrate from one genre to another in search of fame.
Whether it’s Gospel music, Afrobeat, R&B, or RAP, performers look for the genre that will satisfy the desires of over 200 million Nigerians.
No entertainer would want to stay away when prospects to profit from Nigeria’s $44 million music industry abound.
To be relevant in the music industry, as in any other, one must keep up with current trends.
Glamsquad recognised Nigerian singers who have moved from one genre to another in search of fame, particularly gospel to secular music.
Wizkid
Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, professionally known as Wizkid, began recording music in church at the age of 11 under the stage name ‘Lil Prinz,’ during which time he formed a group with a couple of his church friends called the ‘Glorious Five,’ and released a collaborative album with the group prior to its disbandment.
He adopted the stage moniker ‘Wizkid’ after transitioning from church to secular music in 2006.
Simi
Simisola Ogunleye, popularly known as Simi, is a Nigerian singer who began her career as a gospel musician and choir member at her local church. She penned her first song at the age of ten and published her maiden solo album titled ‘Ogaju’ in 2008.
Simi eventually pursued a secular music career, releasing songs such as ‘Joromi,’ ‘Selense,’ and ‘Jamb Question,’ among other secular records that helped her become recognised and successful.
Grace Chinwo
Mercy Chinwo, a well-known Nigerian gospel singer and songwriter, used to perform secular music under the stage name ‘Mecindo’ before becoming a well-known gospel singer.
Timaya
Popular Bayelsa hip hop singer, Inetimi Timaya Odon, better known by his stage name, Timaya, started from the Church before he became a backup vocalist for Eedris Abdulkareem for three years and began his journey into solo music in 2006 when he dropped the single hit song, ‘Dem Mama’.
Rema
Divine Ikubor, better known by his stage name Rema, is a well-known Nigerian singer and rapper. He was a member of the gospel rapper collective 7 Dimension.
Chidinma Ekile is a Nigerian poet.
Chidinma Ekile declared her transition from secular to gospel music in 2021, after working on a couple projects with Tim Godfrey at Fearless and Frank Edwards. With the debut of her song, Jehovah Overdo, and her EP, New Covenant, the singer was signed by Eezee Tee under Eezee Concept.
Saint Janet
Janet Oluwatoyosi Ajilore Iyun, commonly known as Saint Janet, is a Nigerian female pseudo-juju-gospel singer who was a chorister at Cherubim and Seraphim, C&S Church before transitioning to a combination of secular and gospel music.
Tosin Martins
Tosin Martins, a Nigerian gospel musician who began as a gospel singer, has transitioned to a combination of secular and gospel music.
Martins defended his mixed music style in a social media post two years ago, stating that people’s expectations from artists were usually high, hence the need to excel, adding that “a secular environment presents you with the opportunity to influence other people with the ideals and values of our faith.”
R.Kelly
Robert Sylvester Kelly, better known as R. Kelly, is a former American recording artist. He grew up in a musical family and began singing at the age of eight.
R Kelly was raised in the same church where his mother sang and directed the choir. His second self-titled album had several tracks with gospel-infused lyrics.
Katy Perry
Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, an American vocalist, began her music career as a gospel singer but subsequently moved into pop and rose to recognition when she partnered with producer Dr Luke on the song “I Kissed A Girl.”