Zambian renowned singer – Abel Chungu has shared his view on the ongoing debate between Gospel Music & Secular Music. Some people like Zambian Gospel artist – Rachael a few days posed a question as to why there are more people switching from Gospel Music to Secular Music. Gospel music is a genre of Christian music. The creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of gospel music varies according to culture and social context. Secular music is non-religious music. Secular means being separate from religion. In the West, secular music developed in the Medieval period and was used in the Renaissance. Swaying authority from the Church that focused more on Common Law influenced all aspects of Medieval life, including music.
Read Abel Chungu’s View Below!
I’ve seen the Gospel music & Secular music debate trending for the last few days. I’ll do a live video to share my views but in the meantime I want to share some vital information that is important to know. 1. Both Secular and Gospel musics earning come through their consumer audience. Meaning through sales or royalties. If secular music is making more money then it comes back down to their audience. Which audience says “I’m paying for that” and which one desires it for free. 2. Both artist pay studio time or need sponsorship. Music is still an expensive thing to do. I actually feel that the Gospel audience has a preference for live instrument albums which actually makes it more expensive to make. Record labels are businesses. They want to make a return on any investment. 3. Worship style Gospel music makes more money that any other type of Gospel music. It’s been often said that when one chooses to be a Christian rapper or Rnb singer then they are going it for money. But sadly that’s not really true when you look at the numbers. I remember a foreign label telling me to lean heavily on the worship genre because it make alot more money in terms of royalties due to churches using its music and Christian radio stations. So if it’s about the cash you might want to rethink whos cashing in. 75% more actually. 4. The balance of paying events is more favourable to the secular artist. While Gospel artists are more subjected to sing at Churchs and conferences which are no guarantee for payemt. Secular artists have the freedom to put a price which nobody hardly argues about. Secular artists can pull off 3 shows in a week or even more. Striking deals with Multiple venues (mostly Bars) while the Gospel artists wait a on a Sunday service invite. 5. Both are stolen from. Piracy is a crime and does nothing for the artist. As anointed as ones favourite Gospel artists may be theyre music is stolen through illegal downloads or sharing of music. Remember that studio I spoke about in point two? Well in a business sense that money is hardly ever recovered especially in Zambia due to piracy. This leaves less to reinvest into any follow up projects or Videos. Yet the demand from the consumer remains high. The process must be honoured as much as the product. If you are a supporter of Gospel music as you say you are. Look at your music collection and ask how you got that music. It will tell you alot about yourself and how the value of music is in the country. Final Thoughts: When I meet people who tell me they want to be a Gospel artist I ask them why. They will often say I want to sing for God. I then say you can do it in the church. But unless you’re willing to learn and respect business principals of art you can’t put out an album. Albums are not free to make. Nobody should guilt trip you for putting a charge especially if you’re doing something noble. Even Bibles are sold in stores and when They are free know that someone payed for it. I’m in my 3rd year now as the chairman of the Board for the Zambia Music Copyright Society and I feel for this music industry. The struggle is real for all. Respect the art and respect the process. Written By Abel Chungu
