Gospel Artistes Deserve Pay Too, Says Levixone
Many believe gospel music is all about faith and service, but Levixone says the harsh realities of life and music production cannot be ignored.
On The Deep Talk, the popular gospel singer got real about the tricky balance between spreading God’s message and making money, and why the two do not have to be at odds.
I will not say that I put money first, honestly. When it comes to charity concerts, I perform for free. But in situations where I get money, it is not bad. That support helps me go back and record another song, which I will perform the next time you invite me.
He emphasized that gospel artistes often work under the same demanding and costly conditions as their secular counterparts.
We pay for everything, music videos, production, all of it. So being appreciated or compensated is not a bad thing. I do not even want to call it ‘being paid.’
Levixone also pushed back against the idea that gospel artistes should always serve for free, saying the public often misunderstands the practical demands behind the music.
People have a misconception about gospel artistes. Let me clear that up today. The gospel artistes you see go to studios, shoot videos, pay for electricity and water, and have families to take care of. So I do not understand why anyone would expect them to perform for free.
Drawing a comparison with how secular performers are treated, especially by church leaders, he added:
The same way a pastor or church elder would pay Jose Chameleone or Juliana to perform at their event is the same way they should pay a gospel artiste, so they can also record a good song and dress well when coming to perform, all to glorify God’s name.
Levixone concluded by stressing that gospel musicians need money to put out good music.
You simply cannot take money out of the conversation. Money is needed and it has to be there. Gospel artistes need to be given money so that they can do good things.
Also read: Levixone Calls for Inclusion of Gospel Artists in Government Music Funding
