Build radical fanbase too –Mavis Asante to gospel acts

GOSPEL musician Mavis Asante has called on gospel artistes to establish fanbases that are as radical and dedicated as those of their secular counterparts.

To her, building a devoted following is crucial not only for secular musicians but also for gospel acts, who can benefit from strong support systems to carry their message, promote their projects and make their presence felt, particularly on social media.

Mavis Asante shared this in a recent interview with Graphic Showbiz, where she urged her colleagues to be proactive in building strong connections with their audience and copy from the strategies employed by secular musicians who have successfully harnessed the power of their fans to grow their influence.

She argued that the idea of having committed followers should not be seen as the exclusive domain of secular musicians, adding that gospel musicians should not be left behind when it comes to establishing fan loyalty and influence.

"It is time for gospel musicians to tap into the fanbase culture. We need to interact more with our audience, invest in them and show genuine interest in their support. That’s the only way we can propagate our message effectively and reach a wider audience.

“Fanbases aren’t just about numbers, they’re communities that support, protect and promote the artiste. Gospel musicians need this kind of support just as much as any other artiste,” she said.

When asked how gospel musicians could begin building their committed supporters, Mavis Asante told Graphic Showbiz that they should adopt the same approach as secular artistes by engaging consistently with their fans on social media and making themselves accessible to those who followed and appreciated their work.

“Secular musicians have managed to create devoted communities of fans who not only support their projects but also actively defend them on social media.

“They play a significant role in expanding the reach of these musicians and making their presence felt both online and offline and the gospel community could greatly benefit from adopting a similar approach to engaging their audience.

 “If we can all establish and nurture radical fanbases like those seen in the secular world, it would not only help in spreading our spiritual message but also help boost the overall growth of the gospel music industry,” she added.

It appears Mavis Asante is not the only gospel artiste who believes it's time for the gospel fraternity to build a strong social media presence to advance their mission and spread their messages. Presence singer Bernard Amakwah shares the same sentiment and feels it’s long overdue.

In his words: “It’s a step in the right direction because even when you’re organising concerts, you need support—people who can help amplify your message. If you want to spread the gospel, a robust online support system is crucial to carry the message forward. We can’t do it alone, and this call is long overdue.”

However, Mavis Asante also warned of the need for caution. She advised gospel artistes to remain mindful of how they interacted with fans, especially on social media.

While it is important to build loyalty, she stressed the need to avoid rivalry and tension that could lead to unnecessary enmity within the gospel community.

"The purpose of our music is to win souls and spread positivity. Therefore, we must be careful not to let fanbase competition create division among us. We need to ensure our engagements are devoid of disrespect and focus on the bigger picture, which is bringing people closer to God,” she added.