“Stop the Gaslighting”: Timi Dakolo Reacts Amid Pastor Lazarus’ Comment on Gospel Singers

“Stop the Gaslighting”: Timi Dakolo Reacts Amid Pastor Lazarus’ Comment on Gospel Singers

  • Timi Dakolo has reacted to a trending video of Pastor Femi Lazarus' comment about gospel singers who charge to sing at church events
  • In the viral video, Pastor Femi Lazarus recalled how a gospel artiste was paid N5 million to minister
  • Timi Dakolo, in a response to the video, called on Pastor Femi Lazarus to stop gaslighting gospel artistes while sharing what he should do instead

The issue of gospel artistes in Nigeria charging fees to sing at church and Christian events has returned to social media following a comment by Pastor Femi Lazarus.

In a viral video, Lazarus, the lead pastor of Light Nation Church spoke against gospel singers who are focused on making money with their talent.

Pastor Femi Lazarus' video triggers Timi Dakolo.
Timi Dakolo shares why gospel singers should be paid after Pastor Lazarus' comment. Credit: timidakolo/lightnationchurch.
Source: Instagram

According to the clergyman, gospel artistes have forgotten they are also ministers and need to turn to God to meet their needs.

"It has become performance, some body has come here to charge N5 million to sing," he said in a clip.

Read also

BBNaija's Cross launches online church: Clips of him preaching, holding revival on TikTok live trend

Timi Dakolo reacts to Femi Lazarus' video

The R&B singer, in a reaction, knocked clerics who attempt to gaslight gospel singers.

According to Dakolo, gospel singers also deserved to live a good life as he listed some of the things they achieved with the money they charged.

"You should be paid what you deserve. Studio session, production and promotion cost a lot. You have a family to feed, you have rent to pay, you have more songs to put out. We should stop all these attack on people's work, As much as it is spiritual, music is art," he wrote.

Dakolo advised Lazarus to focus on building his church choir and using them for events if he knew he couldn't afford to pay popular gospel singers.

Timi Dakolo reacts to Pastor Femi Lazarus' video.
Timi Dakolo defends gospel singers. Credit: timidakolo
Source: Instagram
“This gaslighting has to stop. If you can’t pay people, use your choir members and pay them what you would have given the guest artist,” Timi Dakolo said.

Read also

Drama as Celestial church choir sings Burna Boy's Lambo freestyle: "They're not Christians"

.See a screenshot of Timi Dakolo's response and Pastor Femi Lazarus' video below:

In related news, Legit.ng reported that Pastor Femi Lazarus ordered a drummer to leave the altar for hitting the drums during his ministration, interrupting him in the process.

Netizens react to Timi Dakolo's response

While several netizens took sides with the singer, others shared gospel singers who allegedly do not charge fees and are doing fine.

Legit.ng compiled some of the comments, read them below:

mucluxury said:

"Body of Christ took me to court to cut me up oh."

dera.cocy reacted:

"Learn to monetize your talent n know your worth aswell."

procaremultimedia reacted:

"Timi the businessman, The Pastor is so factual abeg."

prettee_dimples said:

"If they don’t collect money how would they foot their bills?"

ladeola_ reacted:

"Nathaniel bassey and some other ministers don’t charge they are after the work of God so most churches and Christian organizations gift them awesomely …but if you are after your own business you can charge."

Read also

“You wasted my time”: Chloe Bailey's heartbreak song sparks rumours amid relationship with Burna Boy

howo_ambassador said:

"Pastor is your church not business?"

talktoyossy said:

"I can't see any difference. Moreover, let your church choirs minister if you can't pay them."

petebor reacted:

"For the sake of the body Christ, we suppose they find them something after performance."

Lara George replies Pastor Chris

Meanwhile, Legit.ng also reported that gospel singer Lara George replied Pastor Chris Oyakhilomeh's comment about her colleagues.

She compared Nigerian gospel singers to secular artistes who charged in millions, and stressed that would people find the latter less spiritual if they led praise and worship.

"If you found out that your favorite non-Naija Gospel artiste charges $100k USD to sing songs of praise and worship, would they appear less spiritual to you because they do so? Or did you all think that they sing for free?"

PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy!

Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Olumide Alake avatar

Olumide Alake (Entertainment Editor) Olumide Alake is a Lifestyle and Entertainment Journalist with 6 years of experience in news media. He holds an awarded certificate from the Editorial CDS during his service year. He has worked with some online media outfits notable are Naijaloaded, Jaguda, Kemifilani. Olumide bagged an award for the best exclusive article at Legit.ng and Best Entertainer Editor 2023. Contact: olumide.alake@corp.legit.ng

Nkem Ikeke avatar

Nkem Ikeke (Copy editor) Nkem Ikeke is currently a copy editor who also writes for the politics and current affairs desk on weekends. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (2010), and has over 10 years of work experience in the media industry (Reporter, News Agency of Nigeria). Email: n.ikeke@corp.legit.ng