Nigerian singer Timi Dakolo and Pastor Femi Lazarus have officially reconciled following their public disagreement over the commercialization of gospel music.
The Controversy: Should Gospel Artists Charge for Performances?
The dispute, which sparked widespread debate, centered on whether gospel musicians should demand high fees for church performances.
Pastor Femi Lazarus previously criticized the trend of gospel artists charging large sums for ministrations, citing an instance where a singer requested ₦5 million to perform at a church event. He expressed concerns that worship was becoming more about performance than service.
In response, Timi Dakolo defended gospel musicians, arguing that their craft requires financial investment in production, studio time, and promotion. He also pointed out the hypocrisy of churches that pay international artists large sums while underpaying local gospel singers.
Reconciliation and Moving Forward
After their heated exchange, Dakolo and Pastor Lazarus made peace.
Pastor Lazarus shared a photo on Instagram featuring himself, Timi Dakolo, and Pastor Emmanuel Iren, praising Dakolo as a music legend who truly understands the struggles of musicians.
“My brother @timidakolo is a music legend. Give him his flowers. What a man! He genuinely carries the burdens of musicians. His concerns are real. I love you. Better structures will be built. Pain is real. From pulpit to the pew, the pain is real, but we will be fine…” he wrote.
With both sides acknowledging the need for better support structures in gospel music, this reconciliation signals a hopeful path forward for artists and the church alike.
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