Flamboyant UK-based Nigerian pastor, Tobi Adegboyega, has stirred controversy by describing popular musician David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, as a gospel artiste. According to Adegboyega, gospel means “good news,” and Davido’s music propagates this message.
Speaking on the Off The Record podcast, Adegboyega addressed criticisms over his decision to invite secular artists to perform at his recent birthday celebration instead of traditional gospel musicians.
“Gospel means good news. Everyone there is a gospel artiste. Davido is a gospel artiste. Have you heard his song ‘Stand Strong’? That’s good news,” Adegboyega explained.
The pastor further emphasized the significance of friendship in his decisions, highlighting that the artists who performed at the event were personal friends.
“What I had then was my friends—friends who are there through thick and thin. Davido told me: ‘I just want to be there and perform for one hour.’ They’re my friends. I didn’t pay any of them. They love me, and I will give my friends platforms,” he said.
Adegboyega also referred to popular Nigerian artist Zlatan as “like a son” to him, emphasizing his close relationship with Zlatan’s family.
“Zlatan is like a son to me; his kids are my kids, and his parents were in my house. Should I now say, ‘Well, because you are not gospel artistes, let me go and look for some gospel artistes who are criticizing me and force them to sing?’ My friends will always sing at my events, and the next one will be bigger because my circle of friends keeps growing,” Adegboyega added.
The pastor’s remarks have sparked conversations about the definition of gospel music and the role of secular artists in faith-based events.
