A Kenyan gospel singer has excited bibblers by declaring that he only perfoms in clubs, earns more money from drunks and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
Mr Hezel Ndungu of the Akorino sect (One of the strictiest religious groups in Kenya) declared that there is no law or scripture that dictates that a Gospel artiste cannot perform in bars or that they should only be restricted to singing in church.
Personally, I will sing anywhere to get money. I belong to church hence am not fighting it but for money I will sing even in bars
Hezel Ndungu
Mr Ndung’u went ahead to say that it is only God who is righteous and singing in bars does not make a Gospel artiste unclean.
Lately, photos of gospel artists even donning their religious attires and singing in bars have become routine, with the artistes sometimes even singing secular songs and freely interacting with revelers have become common sights in Nairobi..
Mr Ndung’u said that he finds nothing wrong with that “as long as you do not become part of the acts and utterances outside the scope of Godly dictates.”
Even alcoholics are our fans. Bars and alcohol do not sin but it is we the humans who do. This is why I find no big deal in showing up there and staging your show.
Ndungu
Speaking to a local TV host, Mr Ndung’u said even alcoholics are his fans and its humans who sin. Not bars and alcohol, hence there is no big deal in performing in the establishments. He further advised artists not to be foolish and utilize their God given talent anywhere if it can improve their livelihood.
“Don’t be a fool. If singing in bars will give you a livelihood, go and utilise your talent to live,” he added.
He dismissed the notion that bars contain the unholy and sinners saying that “even God advocates for going out there in the field, leaving 99 sheep safely home in search for only one lost”.
“You will be surprised to hear that most of those you find in bars are only living a lifestyle. Many are still grounded in religion since their parents gave them that foundation. He further said that singing for those dismissed as sinners is actually more rewarding than doing it for the church people.
Mr Ndung’u said music has three aspects—message, entertainment and business—the latter being the most important for the artiste.
If singing in church will give you Sh10 and singing in bars will give you Sh100, do not be a fool. Even God will disapprove your naivety of pursuing illogical considerations to run away from maximum reward for your talent
Artist Ndungu
He urged artists not to limit their potentials and rewards on grounds dictated by competitors whose only beef when criticizing liberal artists preforming in bars is based on jealousy for reason that they have not been invited to do it.”
“Gone are those ancient days when holiness and righteousness were killing us in poverty…We have come a long way from the days of singing while rooted like statues to the modern dance in gospel industry.”
Mr Ndung’u is famed for rejuvenating the gospel beat where he introduced the ‘jukebox’ hard beat and danceable climax at the end tail of his tracks. He also introduced audio-visual recordings with dancers no different from secular music videos.
