‘High branding’ not good for gospel artistes — Patience Nyarko

ALTHOUGH Gospel artiste, Patience Nyarko, strongly agrees branding is an effective marketing strategy for artistes, she says over doing it, especially when it comes to gospel artistes, could push God to play second fiddle.

She thinks the focus should not be ‘all about the image’, if indeed gospel artistes wanted to win souls for God.

According to her, she had encountered a lot of gospel musicians who were so focused on what they called “high branding” that they turned down offers to perform at certain places because they were below their standards.

“I know what I am talking about. I have been at shows with some gospel musicians who demand specific things before they perform. They sometimes will not perform because a church is too small or a microphone is not working probably. I remember one artiste refused to perform because the audience was not encouraging.

“This should not be the case if we are really prepared to touch the hearts of the people. Now it’s all about gospel musicians over branding themselves and not willing to touch lives with their God-given talents. The God we serve is down to earth and listens to everyone no matter who you are”, she told Graphic Showbiz.

The Obi Nyani Me singer said the Holy Spirit gradually left such gospel musician whose concentration was so much on their brand than preaching the Word of God through their music.

“I believe strongly the Holy Spirit eventually leaves any gospel musician whose concentration is so much on their brand. They are too choosy with where to perform or not. They are not willing to mingle with certain kinds of people and also not prepared to challenge themselves to work for God if the environment is not conducive” she said.

Away from that, the ‘Wafom Kwan’ singer is currently promoting her latest single ‘Tears Of Joy’ released two months ago. The new song is written to inspire listeners to grow closer to God.

Patience Nyarko has consistently produced music and ensured that the bonds she had built with her followers and other listeners of gospel music remained strong.

She was named Artiste of the Year at the Ghana Gospel Industry Awards in 2012 and received multiple Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) nominations in various categories for gospel music.

The gospel performer has been the headline act at numerous Christian events both in and outside of Ghana.

Patience Nyarko received the Pan-Africa Inspirational Gospel Songwriter of the Year award in 2016 at the inaugural Pan-Africa Eminence Awards ceremony in recognition of her passion, dedication, and significant role in using music to promote the gospel and inspire social change.

She composed and recorded a song titled, ‘Seyiaa’, for the Ghana Black Stars during the 2014 World Cup competition in Brazil. Some of her songs are ‘Wafom Kwan’, ‘Menwu’, ‘Mekasa Ama Awurade’, ‘Anebre Mpeaye’ , Atigya and ‘Wodaada’.