Sola Crown is rated as one of Nigeria’s most booked and hard working gospel singers. Week in week out, the soft-spoken singer is usually on tours of states dishing out soul-lifting songs and does not seem to be resting on her oars. Despite the success trailing her music career and with more than four albums under her kitty, Crown is always willing to give gospel music lovers hope and encouragement through her songs. In this interview with SEGUN ADEBAYO, Crown speaks on why she quit music for five years, her new album and other sides of her career.

It may seem that you have finally picked up your career and take it to the biggest stage at the moment, but there was a time that you were said to have left scene for reasons known to you. Could you tell us what led to the five-year break?

I was not really expecting the interview to take off from this dimension. You seem to be well prepared. I would not want to say I am caught unawares because I think I have a response for you. As a gospel singer, many people tend to see us as second class citizens because we hardly do what other singers in other genres do. It is hard but for somebody like me, who understands her calling, when the going gets very tough, I have learnt to take things to God in prayer. Talking about the break, It was not that I took a break in the real sense of it. It got to a point when what you do is not commensurate with the proceeds that come your way. As humans, you might want to complain but instead of grumbling, I rather took a step back to reassess myself, my music and life. I wanted to retsrategise and ask God for divine intervention on some of the knotty issues confronting me at that time.

What were the issues that could have pushed you away for five years?

There was the issue of poor funding. In this ministry, money is not easy to come by but one has to put her trust in God and keep moving on. For somebody like me who would never compromise, it was better to take a break rather switch to the other side where I could sing any kind of song all in the name of making money. That is not my style.

But some of your colleagues hardly complain about lack of funds. They shoot quality videos and put their songs in the right places where they could reap the proceeds. Are you saying they are doing something wrong?

I never said that. We didn’t start music for the same reason. I was called into the ministry to propagate the gospel of Christ through my songs. I have the mandate of God to use my talent to encourage people and give them hope. But when one is faced with challenges like that, you may want to ask yourself some innocent questions, which was what I did at that time. I am glad God did not fail me. He gave me the strength to hold on. He helped me to pull through the hard times, and today I am enjoying the reward of being obedient.

Tell us about one of the experiences you would not forget in your low moments?

I have quite a lot of interesting but humbling moments that God used to teach me humility and patience. I stopped active music for five years because I don’t want people to start seeing me as a desperate person but God comforted me to help me back in style. You can imagine a situation where you were invited for a big ministration in a big gathering and we performed for over seven hours only for the organizer to offer me and my band N1000. My team members wept. I wept too. I felt very bad. How do I share N1000 among 10 able bodied men and women. It was one of the lowest moments in my career.

People say you hardly compromise and this may have led to why you don’t get the kind of favour that would have helped your career beyond this level. What do you think about this?

I will never compromise my faith. Whatever favour will make me compromise should rather go. I remember how somebody was trying to harass me because I was not going to dance to his tune. He asked me out and I said I was married but he insisted he would still want to have a piece of me. At that time, I needed the favour because it was a window to promote my brand on the biggest platform, but his demands for what I was not willing to give made me lose the opportunity. God has given similar opportunities in the last two years that would not have come if I had messed myself up. Some people might have given in to such request, but I stood my ground and said no way.

Tell us about your new album, Shout Halleluyah. What’s the inspiration behind it?

The inspiration came from God. We all know how powerful the sound of Halleluyah is. It brought down the wall of Jericho. God placed the title in my heart and it became something everyone has been talking about.

You have been raising your game in the gospel music industry in the last five years, many people wonder how you have been getting things right?

The simple answer to your question is God’s grace. I didn’t start this ministry without God’s plan. It was His plan for my life to reach millions of people across the world through my music. So, the success we have recorded in the last five years came as a result of sheer hard work and grace of God.

How do you feel about the level of your success?

I feel great. I am thankful to God. I know it would not have been easy if God was not involved. God is the pillar of my success.

How much influence do you think gospel songs have made in changing lives over the years, especially youths?

It is has done a lot, through the increase in moral decadence is affecting our society at large. However I believe our persistence will yield better results. It’s only a matter of time. We know that things are getting bad, but we will not stop reaching out to youths and to shun vices that can derail their journey in life. Gospel music is one of the tools that will change their hearts. They are gradually returning to God. Just watch out.

You are releasing another album this year even when the last one from you is still enjoying airplays; why that decision?

These songs are a gift from God and as much as He keeps blessing me with it. I will keep blessing His people with it. I don’t have to keep the songs since the inspiration to sing comes from the Holy Spirit. I am always excited when I hit the studio to record songs that would lift people’s souls and help them overcome their challenges. Life is full of obstacles and challenges, as a gospel singer, it is my duty to use my songs to encourage the people and give them hope in Christ Jesus.

So you are not dropping these albums for monetary benefits?

Well, I spent  a lot of money to produce the albums from the studio work to printing and other costs. However, that is not my drive. Music is not what one jumps into because of the possible monetary gains. This is because such gain only comes after a lot of inputs. I desire benefit too, but it’s not my drive.

What drives me most is the positive feedback that I get from millions of people who keep telling me that they are touched by my songs. I don’t think there is any greater feeling for me.

You keep churning out albums but a large parent

age of the society is not favourably disposed to gospel songs, how does this make you feel?

I feel like I keep building houses and buying properties for people to enjoy. I will be remembered for these great works.

I am not discouraged for whatever reason because I am certain that millions of people around the world are feeling the impact of my songs. It is true that some people don’t like gospel songs because they think they are too strict and the messages could be punchy. But that will not deter us from always seeking to put the gospel of Jesus out there through music ministrations.

How do you raise resources to keep releasing albums every year?

All the albums have all been very profitable. However, I have others sources of income. God has a way of rewarding one’s work through different sources. Sometimes, you may think your reward would come from the proceeds of the music, but God always has a different plan for one. It is better one puts his or her focus on God, and not men or proceeds that may or may not come from the album sales.

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What do you intend to achieve with it and how do you rate your success in the game?

My intention is to continue to lead people to God through soul-lifting songs. The title came up due to a song God gave me another about. The common song, Eyo. God said He is the King not Eyo and He cares for all is creation and instruct us to stop bowing to idols

How would you describe your music career over the years; do you think you have done enough to be where you are today?

Well, I will say we were not where we used to be. We are on the move, heading to a glorious destination. Enough, there are always opportunities to do more and that is why we doing this.

The title came up due to a song God gave me another interpretation about. The common song Eyo. God said He is the King not Eyo and He cares for all is creation and instruct us to stop bowing to idols.

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