Ric Hassani Explains Why Gospel Artists Switch to Secular Music

• Singer Ric Hassani has disclosed the reasons behind gospel artists transitioning to secular music.

• Hassani, in an interview, revealed that he initially pursued gospel music but later transitioned to secular music after realizing it wasn’t his true calling.

Nigerian singer Ric Hassani has opened up about why some gospel artists, including himself, eventually transition to secular music.

In a recent interview, Hassani revealed that he began his musical journey in the gospel scene but later realized it wasn’t his true calling.

According to the “Thunder Fire You” crooner, many artists who move away from gospel music do so not for financial gain, but because they seek creative fulfillment and alignment with their purpose.

“Gospel music requires a specific calling and gift for ministration not everyone has that,” Hassani explained.

While affirming his strong Christian faith, he shared that he still includes gospel songs in his albums, but his main goal is to impact lives through a broader musical lens.

He said, “Gospel is beyond singing. You have to be blessed to be able to interpret God’s words through music. For example, there is no way a Katty Perry would communicate God’s words through music the way CeCe Winans does. I feel like CeCe is blessed with being able to communicate the Holy Spirit through music. Whitney Houston is blessed in a different way.

“So, I don’t feel this idea of everybody must be in church. Some of us were made for the world. I also have Christian songs. I’m a very strong Christian. In all my albums, there is at least one gospel song. But that’s not really my calling. I meant to impact the world in a different way, with a different kind of music. I’m not going to do it the way Frank Edwards or Mercy Chinwo is going to do it. If I enter church music now, I fit no bang. It’s not my thing.

“People leaving gospel music for secular music is not about money. Creatives or people who blessed with these gifts like money, everybody likes money. But the real fulfilment is being able to do it and exist doing it. Even the Wizkids, the Burnas that have all the money in the world… If it was really about money, then Davido has no business doing anything because he has all the money he would ever need.

“So, it’s not really about money. The kind of satisfaction that comes from being able to think of an idea of thing and put it on the record and create music is beyond money. It’s bigger than any satisfaction money can give you.”