Netherlands-based Nigerian gospel singer, Elvis Ediagbonya popularly known as Elvis E has shared his story of a humble beginning and journey into the music world. The Amazing Grace singer said it was the hands of God that paved the way for him and staunchly believed that without God he wouldn’t have become what he is today.
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His belief in God means everything to Elvis E. “God is everything. Even when I no longer had a father, God was a Father to me. So, God can fill such a hole in your life. There is nothing without God. It can also all seem bad at times. But God makes all things work together for good, says the Bible. I also have questions sometimes, I’m human too. But if I don’t remember it, I always end up with Him,” he commented after sharing his story.
Elvis E’s singing talent was discovered by his niece who accidentally stumbled on him miming Whitney Houston’s song and she was thrilled by the sheer vocal power of her uncle. He was about twelve years old at the time. It was a discovery that started a trajectory of events that could be described as divine and fortuitous.
“I was singing uninhibitedly in the house and my niece who lived not too far away heard me. I was singing a Whitney Houston song. I was about twelve years old and could sing very high. She didn’t believe it at first but I proved it by singing to her again. Then she called in a number of people and asked if I wanted to sing again for some money. Then I knew that I could start earning money with it and that turned a certain switch for me,” he narrated
Not long after, Elvis E said he had a dream where he saw huge letters forming the word “Amsterdam”. Coincidentally, his room also had a picture with Amsterdam on it.
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“I asked my cousin what exactly Amsterdam was. He actually didn’t know either but wanted to act a bit tough and said it was in Germany. I remembered that. Eventually, I moved to Lagos for my music career. I was discovered by a pastor who lived in The Netherlands. Then I made the link with my dream again. He received a confirmation through prayer that he had to take me to the Netherlands. Within a few months, I got a visa and a plane ticket. I found it very exciting and it was a real culture shock. I found everything there so nice and clean. I constantly wondered where all the earth’s sand had gone,” he said.
The singer has since carved a niche for himself as a flourishing gospel singer. He is part of the Amazing Grace TV programme aired all over the Netherlands and beyond. When he joined the Amazing Grace crew things moved very fast for him. He is a singer on the show and a music director.
“Of course, Gospel music is often placed in the religious corner,” says Elvis. “But that’s not what Amazing Grace does. The program makes the gospel accessible to everyone. Everyone should feel at home in the genre. That’s why we chose different songs in the first episodes. Gospel is mainstream in America. Wouldn’t it be great if that were also the case in the Netherlands? This music is so powerful; the history is so beautiful. With Amazing Grace, we bring the gospel to national TV: which is really special. That is why I do it with all my heart.”
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