Mike Aremu, a saxophonist and gospel musician, talks with KEHINDE AJOSE about his profession and other matters.

Have you ever faced pressure to change the way you make music?

Both “yes” and “no” are the responses to that. Yes, in that people have preconceived notions about what they think a person should sound like. They know what Mike Aremu’s sound should sound like. They believe that one is losing it if they then stray from it. Although I am well-known for my saxophone playing, some people would comment, “We thought you were just a saxophone player,” whenever I chose to sing.

However, one must ensure that their music is relatable to listeners and be aware of what the current (trending) sound is. My sound has also been influenced by famous afrobeats. In order to make my music relatable to a larger audience, I am influenced by the seasons and eras. When music is unrelated to people and doesn’t uplift or bless them, it serves no purpose to release it.

Do you believe that Nigerian gospel music has reached its full potential?

It may not be where it should be, but it is undoubtedly not where it used to be, and for that we must be grateful.There has been significant progress. As of right now, many Nigerian gospel artistes have millions of downloads of their music online.

That is a significant improvement over the previous situation. To be honest, gospel music is not the kind that works well as background noise. Thanks to social networking, there are a lot of talented gospel musicians in the business. In Nigeria, gospel music has not fared too terribly.

But much more remains to be done. Corporate entities ought to support gospel musicians and events. Whenever it suits them, people refer to Nigeria as a secular state. However, many claim they don’t want to identify with a specific faith when it comes to gospel music. Ultimately, they stand to gain from supporting gospel music events if it results in lives being changed.

Positive messages can be found in gospel music. What reason, then, would any business have to oppose anything that has a positive impact on society? More businesses ought to investigate that. With regard to gospel music, we can do much better. Gospel music deserves the same level of sponsorship as hip-hop or afrobeats, which any brand would be happy to provide. Gospel music should have its own category on award platforms. There aren’t many award venues that have categories just for gospel music.

To make paradise at the end of my earthly journey is what matters most to me. “What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?” the Bible asks. That’s what I’m pursuing first.

In addition, I wish to have a constructive influence not only in Nigeria but globally. Among my objectives are to use music to transform and cure people, as well as to positively influence them and share the gospel with them. In the end, that is what will make sense to me.

In your opinion, do saxophonists receive as much recognition as their singer-colleagues?

This also holds true for gospel music. Things have changed from how they were. Saxophonists, in my opinion, are becoming increasingly well-known. However, compared to saxophonists who merely play, people find it easier to relate to singers since they employ lyrics.

Some people find it difficult to relate to saxophonists’ music. This is the reason why the majority of saxophonists perform well-known songs. They are performing song instrumentals, including well-known praise and worship songs. This facilitates their ability to connect with a larger audience. I personally attempt to make music as it comes to me. That’s okay if it’s just for the saxophone. God willing, I’ll add vocals if He so pleases.

In conclusion, there are a lot of saxophonists out there who are accomplishing amazing things, not just myself. They are displayed on billboards. These days, saxophonists are the stars of big concerts and gatherings.We are being acknowledged to a great degree.

Why, in your opinion, do aspiring musicians—including those who began their careers in churches—prefer to perform secular music rather than gospel?

A large portion of it is motivated by reward—the cash they receive from performing secular music. That seems to be a significant factor. Gospel music transcends financial gain, despite the fact that it is a financial endeavor. It has both a “calling” and a business aspect. A gospel clergyman and a gospel artist are not the same thing. A gospel minister’s main responsibility is to preach the gospel.

However, there is undoubtedly a business aspect to it as well, where they handle matters like how they handle reservations, what they need to meet to be invited to certain locations, etc. If someone who began their career in the church is genuinely called to be a gospel artist, they will remain faithful to it. All they would need to do is figure out how to convert that into financial gain for themselves. They’ll focus on scheduling and managing their music so they can pay their bills and minister at the same time. A person will stick to their craft if they are a true gospel artist.