While most of you might know that music has had a notable history from way back, the bible indicates that even before the earth was formed, angels in heaven practiced singing. The modern church attributes music as an art and a form of ministering, and not necessarily an art.
What separates ministry from the industry?
The sole purpose of ministry is to impact and transform, often bringing people to repentance and faith. Regarding the industry, business is the main goal, as most artists pace up with different musical styles to keep up with the trends. Compared to ministry, the industry’s survival sorely depends on profit.
As compared to the ministry, the industry’s survival sorely depends on profit.
We all identify with certain artists on the musical scale who began serving from the ministry. This could be through the choir or the praise team, later on choosing a different trajectory.
Interesting enough, notable artists like Usher, brandy, John Legend and even Beyoncé are some of the few who began singing in church from a very young age, later on finding greener pastures within the industrial landscape or better yet “the secular scene.” Local artists like Bahati, Willy Paul, Bruce Newton are some of the few who started off on the gospel grid later on finding a switch to the secular world. But why is the industry typically a simple route for these artists?
The Bitter Pill
The ministry is rigid and while at it striking the balance between expressing creativity and maintaining religion is a task that not many are ready to embrace; leaving many with no choice but to cross over. This time, the artist finds themselves caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. In some scenarios, creatives drift willingly because of not finding enough support from the church, often leaving a question mark on the effectiveness of the church in supporting talents. The industry, however, is more accommodating and does not dispute on creativity, as it provides flexibility and less control over artistic expression.
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What are the repercussions of crossing over?
The act of crossing over is never a bed of roses. Gradually the artist is prone to face condemnation and criticism from many, especially religious groups. Overtime, people begin to disregard the artist’s previous work, leading them to question the artist’s motive.
If not careful, depression and even substance abuse becomes the next bus stop
Navigating a new genre while maintaining personal and artistic identity can be challenging, and it often leads to confusion about the role and the credibility of the artist’s work. With the loss of a fanbase, the artist has to create a new one as former fans withdraw from supporting, leaving the artist’s reputation on the line. The artist will have to create new relations with people within the secular industry, leaving even more stains among former Christian folks.
The artist may experience a loss of identity attributed to the influence they earn, slowly the artist becomes absorbed in the secular scene as the term Christianity becomes a story of the past. At times, if not careful, one may find themselves at the next bus stop of depression and even substance abuse.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the transition from the gospel industry to the secular music scene represents a profound shift for any artist, marked by both opportunities and challenges. While crossing over can open doors to broader commercial success and creative freedom, it also risks alienating long-time fans and confronting criticisms from both religious and secular communities. Artists navigating this journey must carefully manage their evolving public image, reconcile their personal values with their new professional direction, and build new relationships while potentially losing previous support. The success of such a transition largely depends on how well an artist can balance their artistic integrity with the demands of a new market, all while staying true to their core identity.
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