Nigerian singer Timi Dakolo has fired back at popular pastor Lazarus Femi over his criticism of gospel artists who charge fees for ministering in churches. The controversy began after a video of Pastor Lazarus circulated online, in which he accused gospel singers of prioritizing performances over worship and predicted their eventual decline.
In the video, Pastor Lazarus claimed that many gospel artists have strayed from God’s presence and lack understanding of scripture, particularly the belief that God will provide for their needs. He also questioned why singers would need to charge fees to pay their crew members, suggesting that their reliance on monetary compensation reflects a lack of faith.
Timi Dakolo, however, strongly disagreed with the pastor’s remarks. Responding via the comment section of an Instagram blog, Dakolo defended gospel artists, stating that they are not beggars and deserve to be compensated for their work.
“Stop this gaslighting. Gospel singers are not beggars,” Dakolo wrote. “They deserve every good thing life has to offer.” He went on to challenge those who oppose paying gospel artists, suggesting that they should instead focus on developing and compensating their own church musicians.
Dakolo’s response has sparked a broader conversation about the value of artistic labor within the gospel music industry. Many have echoed his sentiments, arguing that gospel artists, like professionals in any other field, deserve fair compensation for their talent, time, and effort.
The exchange highlights the ongoing debate about the intersection of faith, artistry, and financial sustainability in the gospel music scene. While some, like Pastor Lazarus, believe that gospel artists should rely solely on divine provision, others, including Dakolo, advocate for recognizing and rewarding their contributions as legitimate professionals.