GIDIGBA AFRICA

Meet ADEBAYO FRANKLIN OLUWAYOMI PRAISE a.k.a FRANKIE PRAISE AGIDIGBA
Adebayo Franklin Oluwayomi a.k.a Frankie Praise Agidigba is one of the fast rising gospel artistes in Nigerian gospel music industry, Church Portal met with him recently and he discussed among many things his view about gospel music industry and lots more. Enjoy the rest of the interview:

CP: Good morning. Please can we meet you?
Res: Good morning, My names are ADEBAYO FRANKLIN OLUWAYOMI PRAISE who is also known as FRANKIE PRAISE AGIDIGBA

CP: What is your profession or are you strictly into music?
Res: Apart from music, I do quite a wide range of things which includes TEACHING, EVENTS DECORATIONS AND PLANNING among other side jobs.

CP: Most gospel artiste starts from church, is it applicable to you too?
Res: Sure, it all started right from the teens choir in those days.

CP: Which church did you start from?
Res: THE REDEEMED CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF GOD and by the grace of God I am still part of the church

CP: Professionally, when did you start singing?
Res: *thinking* Personally, I’d like to say that I really started ministerial and professional singing in 2010 although I had been singing a lot before then.

CP: Is any of your parents into music?
Res: *smiling* My parents ke? None of them o. Infact, my dad is an accountant while my mum read English although she is a full-fledged minister of God’s word in the church

CP: Are you the only one into music in your family?
Res: In my immediate family, YES!

CP: What was your parent’s reaction towards your music?
Res: My dad has always been double minded about it. He would sometimes disallow me from going for vigils during my teenage days and travelling out of the state to minister. But with time, he got over that. My mum has been the pillar of encouragement right from the start.

CP: Which of the musical instrument is your favorite?
Res: Although, I play the keyboard yet I love the saxophone. It is an instrument that requires immense passion.

CP: Why?
Res: When you meet and hear a good anointed saxophone play especially SONGS OF WORSHIP , there is an air of heavenly electricity that would be released. I always like to compare the saxophone to the human voice, both needs the same parameter for delivery.

CP: Most gospel artiste now charge appearance fee to minister in churches, concerts and revivals, how do you see that?
Res: Although, not a good reputation to have. Yet, I don’t blame some of them. Many churches consider invited music ministers as less important whose services should not be appreciated. Imagine taking 3 backup singers and about 6 instrumentalists to a praise programme and at the end of the day, you were given N2000. That is disheartening! Yet, they want the best. In the times of Moses, Levites and Asaphs were maintained with the proceeds from the tithes and offerings. Due to this attitude, we have lost several promising upcoming ministers.
Nevertheless, that isn’t an excuse to charge exuberant prices or even say that you won’t come if a certain amount can’t be paid. Wisdom is profitable to direct.

CP: Also, some gospel Artistes believed they cannot minister/perform without taking alcohol/drugs, have you experience it before or what is your reaction to that?

Res: Ha! Those ones are led by something else so they are not the sons of God.

CP: Professionals from different works of life do get married to their colleagues; do you think it is worthwhile for a gospel artiste to marry a member of his/her group?
Res: There is nothing wrong with that if that person is who God says you should go for. It sometimes helps the ministry because there would be understanding of purpose. Nevertheless, I would advise that one of them should opt out of the group immediately courtship or marriage comes in.

CP: Majority of the hip hop and other genre of music started with gospel music or from church, but latter shun gospel music for secular music. What do you think is the major cause for this act?
Res: M – O – N – E – Y! That is the reason. It is understandable owing to the fact that music ministers are not been adequately appreciated. Yet, anyone who is called to this ministry, put his or her hands on the plough and later looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God. God’s work isn’t secular business, you cannot resign. If you decamp from God’s side, then you have joined the enemy. So, it’s a very delicate issue that everyone should be cautious of.

CP: Where can we categorize your genre of music? Jazz, Rock, R n B, Worship etc?
Res: I do mainly traditional and contemporary music. Whichever genre it comes, I will do it. I have to provide all delicacies of food to my God *laughing*

CP: The common trend now is reality shows, have you been to any reality show before as a participant?
Res: No, I wouldn’t dare

CP: Are you under any record label presently?
Res: Presently, No. But, I am actually searching for good and godly one at the moment.

CP: Any album to your credit?
Res: NO sir. But I have two singles out already.

CP: Have you done any collaboration with other gospel artiste before?
Res: NO sir

CP: What are the challenges you have faced so far in the industry?
Res: Hmmmm! The only challenge I seem to face is the massive ignorance of who a music minister should be and how he ought to minister.

CP: Who are your role models both nationally and internationally?
Res: I really don’t like using men as role models but I critically follow DONNIE MCCLURKIN and NATHANIEL BASSEY

CP: How are you coping with fans of opposite sex?
Res: *smiling* We are coping by God’s grace.

CP: When are you releasing your new album?
Res: Soon, by his grace.

CP: What message will you like to send to your fans?
Res: Watch out for the Lord’s coming and in everything you do, PLEASE GOD ALONE!

CP: Thanks for your time.
Res: You are welcome sir.