Between the late 1960s and early 1970s, Samuel Akinpelu released a gospel album that placed him amongst the pioneers of gospel music in Nigeria. The album, Teje re ni koro still creates a big nostalgia amongst Christians and gospel music fans who place value on lyrics rather than instrumentation and other fad and fancy that pollute gospel music as presented today. In this interview conducted by Bola Adewara, Pa Akinpelu opens up on his sojourn in gospel music,

In the beginning:
"My appreciation of music began as far back as 1954 when I was in the elementary school but I remember composing my first song in 1958 when I moved from my town Modakeke to Ibadan .

"On getting to Ibadan, I joined the C.A.C Church . My activities in the church brought me into limelight in the church because I composed and taught songs. This situation continued until 1962 when the highest authority in C.A.C decided to create another choir to handle church activities in the whole of Ibadan. The very large choir that resulted from this arrangement got me elevated.

“As young as I was then, I did not just sing I also composed songs. I had an anointing for composition. I cannot explain the marvelous ways with which the Lord did it but whenever I prayed or read my Bible, inspirations come.

Gospel Choral Singers
"In 1966, I brought together some 35 members of the church and some from outside the church. We became known as Gospel Choral Singers and in earnest, we began regular practice.

"When we became popular, some churches began to invite us to minister in songs. I noticed that whenever we went to play, there was always a crowd explosion. Some churches began to use us to increase their population.

"We went through a lot of pains to acquire our instruments. What we did was to organise our anniversaries, which the church allowed us to hold in the church premises. Whatever we got, we invested in music instruments.

"Also, the proceed made from outside engagements like wedding, burial, chieftaincy titles, we divided into three places: one part goes to the group, one for the rented instruments and the other part for me as the head. The group still exists until date but many, if not all of the original members have left to pursue greater challenges in life. But none of them left in anger.

"The first album Baye Gbogunde was released in 1968 by DECCA Records. The album was released under the name Gospel Choral Group led by S.O. Akinpelu. It was the first Nigerian gospel music on vinyl. I can tell you authoritatively that when this album was recorded on vinyl, no group or individual had released any gospel songs on vinyl. Their songs could be played on radio just like the Takete Voices of Isao, Kwara State , but none was on vinyl.

"When I started I did not depend on music for my livelihood. I was involved in some trades but as the popularity soared, I was advised by so many people to concentrate on music. When I thought about it properly, I decided to let go of other jobs.

Challenges
"The first challenge came when I decided to let go of every other business to concentrate on music. Concentrating on music somewhat put food on my table but it was not sufficient. The challenge was that of Christian's attitude to evangelism. Very few Christians give to the things of God. So many people are stingy when it comes to giving to evangelism. We depended solely on proceeds from the albums because the white men who were then managing Decca Records were truthful, professional and conscious of our welfare.

"However, when the company became Afrodisia, it concentrated on producing secular music. This change in orientation by the new management of Afrodisia marked the decline in the fortunes of the gospel acts on Decca labels."

"Other challenges were in the areas of constant travels. As our fame soared, so received invitations from all over the country. It was tough but God saved us through the hazards of long journey to places like Kano , Jos, Kogi, Kwara, etc

Gospel music today
"The current trend of gospel music is not strange to me because it is expected. We can hardly condemn anybody for what they do in the name of gospel music. I have released about 50 albums and I have not repeated one song in two albums.

  "Some people compile some of my old songs, twist them to suit their fancies and release them as theirs. There are others who introduce just anything into their music all because they want fame and commercial success. Can one blame them? That is the society for you. What we see today is primarily instigated by commerce rather than spiritual reasons. Promoters are out to make money, not to win souls. People with anointing hardly find the right promoters.

"...My greatest challenge today is getting a sponsor who could be interested in promoting all my songs on tapes and CDs. Many of these songs are being kept in the cooler at Decca Records..."

Those who get major promoters are those who can dilute spiritual messages with slang, worldly dance steps and suggestive video clips. People like me can't do that.

Experience with Decca
"We cannot compare what DECCA Records paid then to what they pay now. The situation was better then because the white men who managed the company were so truthful, more than what we experience today. When the white men were there, they had only Prince Adeoshun who led C.A.C Yaba and I in the West, and Lazarus Brothers (Voice of the Cross) from Onitsha .

Any time I asked for money, they gave me and debited my account. They bought me a car. They were happy with me because any album released was a commercial success. I released almost 30 albums for them between 1968 and 1991. All together, I should have about 50 albums.

T'eje re ni k'oro
"T'eje re ni k'oro ko damilare is perhaps my greatest song. Whenever I remember the song, it givers me much satisfaction on account of the testimonies of joy and salvation it has brought to so many people. I believe that God used me to compose the songs because not many of us can kneel down in the morning to pray, neither can all of us read the bible. However, many of us can listen to songs and be touched. Listening costs nothing.

"Some people have accused me of chanting incantations in the album. There is nothing like that. What I did was speaking to God in the original Yoruba patois. God commits songs to the hands of people who know the word and have the power of language; I thank God for He has blessed me with the two.

Storms of life
"Another song is Baye Gbogunde. This song brought me much sorrows. The devil really challenged me because of the album. Two of my children died in quick succession.

Before the album was released, Decca management gave me some money with which I established a transport business. The business grew gradually that my buses increased to ten. After the album was released, the storms of life came. We were attacked and we lost all the buses and the transport business collapsed. I faced so many challenges over the contents of my songs but I believe I conquer. I am fulfilled today, though I have no promoter to help me release my evergreen songs on tapes, the way it is done today.

"However, the Lord is still with me. In the year 2000 and 2002, I was invited to minister in songs in the United States of America. I ministered in different churches in states like Houston , New Jersey , Florida and Dallas. So many of these churches and other organisations in the US are interested in releasing my albums.

Current Challenge
"My greatest challenge today is getting a sponsor who could be interested in promoting all my songs on tapes and CDs. Many of these songs are being kept in the cooler at Decca Records. So many veteran musicians are releasing their evergreen numbers on tapes.

"I also desire to do so not just for doing sake but to minister and display what gospel music should be. If this is done, not only would it affect souls, but would also boost me financially."

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