By Oyinkansayo Wole-Bodunde.
Pastor Tobi Adegboyega, founder of SPAC NATION has left people talking by calling Nigerian musician, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, a gospel artiste.
Pastor Adegboyega said this on the “Off The Record podcast.” He said that the term “gospel” means “good news,” and he believes Davido represents it through his music.
“Gospel means good news. Everyone there is a gospel artiste. Davido is a gospel artiste. Have you heard: ‘Because I stand strong?’,” he said.
Pastor Adegboyega was criticized for inviting secular musicians, including Davido, to perform at his birthday celebration instead of gospel artistes.
He defended his decision, stating that his friends, including Davido and Zlatan, will always take center stage at his events.
He said, “What I had then was my friends—friends who are there through thick and thin. Davido told me: ‘I just want to be there and perform for one hour.’ They’re my friends. I didn’t pay any of them. They love me, and I will give my friends platforms.”
“If gospel artists aren’t my friends and are instead joining the bandwagon to criticize me by asking, ‘Is that a church?’ What should I do? Drag them with a rope? It’s my friends that will be there. Everyone in that room was my friend. Zlatan is like a son to me; his kids are my kids, and his parents are in my house. So should I now say, ‘Well, because you are not gospel artists, let me go and look for some gospel artists who are criticizing me and force them to sing?’,” he said.
Pastor Adegboyega stated that he values relationships over criticism. He said, “My friends will always sing at my events, and the next one will be bigger because my circle of friends keeps growing.”
