“We Are Not Competing Secular Musicians' – Nacy

That gospel musicians are at the low ebb when it comes to branding and marketing of themselves, is an observation that has been made by some entertainment buffs.

Hardly do Gospel musicians get international awards, ambassadorial deals, among other contracts that those in the secular world get. In other words, the secular musician is well branded than the gospel musician, the observation indicates.

  

However, recording engineer and musician Nacy says gospel musicians are not in any competition with secular musicians and should not be compared.

    

“We are in a different world. What we do is a ministry so we don't do things to please ourselves or any human being. We do things to please God so you don't expect us to compete with secular musicians in the way they brand or market themselves. We have our own way of doing things,” he said.

  

When asked if Gospel musicians are not worried when they see juicy deals going to the secular musicians, he answered in the negative. 

   

“No, we don't. At least I can speak for No Tribe that we are not worried at all. We were here when Glo came to sign some of our friends who do secular music but we all know what they have suffered for taken up that contract,” Nacy added.

However, he believes having good management, being active on social media, having a website and a competent publicist helps to promote any music brand but to gospel musicians, their main concern is propagating the gospel.

  

He said this on show 'Arts and People' on Vision 90.9FM last Sunday when they treated the topic: BRANDING AND MARKETING OF THE GOSPEL ARTISTE.

  

Nacy's contribution on the show sparked debate among panelists some of who said that expanding and polishing one's brand as a gospel musician is a pre-requisite to winning more souls for Christ. 

When most of our gospel musicians don't have managements, publicists and good record labels, how do we expect them to move up and spread their tentacles?

   

If gospel music is just a ministry, why do gospel musicians charge when they go for shows? Nacy and his No Tribe are doing very well in the gospel industry. They have reputable management, hardworking publicist and are very visible. They have branded themselves well and even pose threat to the secular acts. So why can't others follow suit? Why shouldn't other gospel acts also brand themselves well?

   

Despite the fact that gospel music is a ministry, the show and business aspect of it must also be strengthened. They need to do proper branding and stop doing shoddy and shabby work for God. You cannot sell the word of God in an unpalatable state to people expecting that it will be accepted.

   

It is time gospel musicians shoot good music videos. It is about time they employed competent people as managers but not their friends and husbands. It's about time they became active on social media and run websites. It is about time they also start marketing their songs on the internet. These done, their soul-winning messages will easily find the souls for whom they are intended. A word to a wise is in Flex newspaper.

By: Kwame Dadzie