According to SP Kofi Sarpong, it was wrong for any church to think that Gospel musicians were doing the work of God and, therefore, should not be paid for their services.

“What I mostly get after performing in church is meat pie and drink. How can I pay bills with the meat pie and the drink? We spend so much in the studio and I expect the church to understand what we go through.

“How do I pay my crew members who basically don’t do any work apart from supporting me? It’s about time the church supported the work we do by paying us when they invite us,” he told Graphic Showbiz on Monday, November 11.

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Due to this treatment, SP Sarpong says he has stopped performing in churches for free. “I am done performing in churches for free. I know I am doing the work of God but this time, not for free.

“If the church calls me for an event, I just tell you my charges and if you can’t afford me, so be it.

“You expect me to look good and deliver as well but you don’t want to pay me. Imagine if I was not a police officer and solely depended on music for survival, how would I have catered for my wife, children and the other people who depend on me?” he asked.

Moving on to other issues, SP Sarpong said he never knew fame came with so much pressure until people started trooping to his office for help.

“I have a lot of people coming to my office for money or help and this has been happening since I became famous. It is either one wants a job, needs money to pay their fees or pay rent.

“The pressure sometimes becomes too much and it is all because my face is on the screens,” he said.

Known for songs including Africa Borborbor, Hour By This Time, Ayeyi Dwom, Aba Father, Sacrifice, Meto Ndwon and Aseda, SP Kofi Sarpong is out with his latest song Messiah recorded by Sha.

On the song which was released four days ago, SP Sarpong said he thanked God for all the wonderful things He had done in his life.

“I was involved in a serious motor accident two years ago on the Nkawkaw road and had it not been for God, I would have been dead by now. I owe my life to God and this song is basically telling everyone that there is hope,” SP Sarpong added.

The Police officer cum musician, who has slammed critics of secular artistes, said, most secular musicians compose good songs that educate as well as entertain million and should not be maligned as evil.

“Anytime Kwaw Kesse meets me, he asks me ‘uncle, when are we both going to collaborate on a song?’ Shatta Wale also meets me and says we have to do something. They understand what we do so, we must also understand what they do,” he emphasized

“I don’t think gospel artistes play their own songs when making love with their partners,” he stated

SP Kofi Sarpong said these at the press launch of his forthcoming ‘SP Kofi Sarpong Live in Concert’ festival slated for May 28 at the National Theatre.

The concert will feature gospel musicians like Gifty Osei, Nacee, Cece Twum, Joyce Blessing, Abena Ruthy, Francis Amoo, Koda and a gospel artiste from the United Kingdom.

According to him, the penchant for people to treat the work of God shabbily has transcended into the gospel music industry and it is crippling its fortunes to the advantage of other genres.

Speaking with the Graphic Showbiz on Monday, the Police officer who has blessed Ghanaians with songs such as Ayeyi Ndwom and Aseda said it’s disheartening that whiles secular artistes are inventing new ways of making their music attractive, the once attractive gospel music industry is still “crawling on its knees”.

“I’ve heard a lot of complaints about how corporate institutions don’t provide sponsorship for gospel events. Yes, sometimes it’s disheartening but I think it’s about how we package our craft to get the needed attention and sponsorship from corporate bodies. When you treat it as cheap, you will get poor results,” he stated.

Basing his argument on the unprofessional works of some gospel artistes, SP Sarpong argued that gospel music must not be seen as a cheap commodity since it has the largest audience appeal.

“We have an advantage because secular music lovers listen to gospel music as well while there are believers who wouldn’t want anything to do with secular music. That is our advantage but we aren’t making good use of it,” he stated.

The 2016 VGMA Gospel Artiste of the Year said he had always admired the investments some secular artistes make to build their brand. For him, the evidences of the investments reflect in their video productions.

“Some secular artistes even go out of the country to shoot videos if that is what will get them the quality they want but same cannot be said of some of my brothers and sisters in the gospel fraternity.

“While others are travelling around for good locations to shoot videos, we are still standing in front of churches and fountains to shoot videos.

“For us, anything goes and at a time when competition has become keen, which company would want to associate with a brand that can’t sell itself well”, the African Borborbor singer added.

He, was, however, quick to commend the efforts of the few who make strides to make gospel music attractive.

He told Showbiz he’s ready to host the “SP Kofi Sarpong Live in Concert” at the National Theatre on Sunday, May 28.

“This concert is my appreciation to Ghana for the support. It’s been seven years of amazing support which has won me many awards and I just want to show my appreciation,” he stated.

source: Daily Graphic