Gospel music minister Sammy King has urged aspiring gospel artistes to discover their purpose and carry a clear message before entering the recording studio, stressing that gospel music should remain rooted in ministry, faith and the finished work of Jesus Christ.

King, who described himself as a gospel music minister rather than merely an artiste, said his passion is to use music to inspire people around the world while glorifying God.

The Benin City-born minister began his primary and secondary education in the city before moving to Lagos for his higher education, where he studied Theatre Arts. Alongside his formal education, he continued to develop his musical abilities through personal study, practice, mentorship, and practical experience.

According to him, his musical journey has taught him that talent alone is not enough to succeed in the industry, noting that discipline, consistency and a willingness to keep learning are equally important.

“My journey has taught me that music requires not only talent but also discipline and consistency. When I say consistency, I truly mean consistency and the willingness to keep moving,” he said.

King traced his passion for music to his childhood, when he listened to different records played by his parents at home. He recalled that he often behaved like a music director, demonstrating his early fascination with music and performance.

As he grew older, his interest became increasingly focused on gospel music and its ability to influence people’s lives. He said he eventually realised that music offered him more than entertainment, as it provided a platform to express his faith and love for Jesus Christ.

Describing his sound, King said his music combines contemporary sounds with strong spiritual messages, while maintaining a central focus on the cross and the finished work of Jesus.

“If anyone listens to my music again and again, one would discover that it points people to the cross and the finished work of Jesus,” he said.

He explained that although he enjoys exploring different sounds and musical styles, the message behind his songs remains the most important consideration.

For King, the uniqueness of his music lies largely in its message and how he communicates it to his audience. He noted that every artiste has a distinct message to share and expressed his desire to create music that is both spiritually meaningful and relatable to contemporary listeners.

The gospel minister also highlighted the impact of the internet on the music industry, saying digital platforms have transformed how independent artistes create, promote and distribute their music.

He noted that social media and streaming platforms have enabled artistes to reach audiences beyond their immediate communities without relying entirely on traditional media or record labels. The platforms have also opened opportunities for promotion, collaborations and wider distribution.

However, he acknowledged that the digital era has brought its own pressures, particularly the expectation that artistes should constantly produce content to remain visible and competitive.

On artistes he would like to collaborate with, King mentioned Nigerian gospel ministers Pastor Nathaniel Bassey and Kaestrings, as well as international gospel artiste J. Moss. He said he admires their sound, ministry and approach to gospel music and believes collaborations with them could produce meaningful and impactful works.

King also identified several challenges confronting gospel music in Nigeria, including limited funding and infrastructure, piracy, copyright concerns, inadequate monetisation and the difficulty of gaining visibility in an increasingly competitive industry.

He observed that gospel artistes sometimes face the challenge of balancing the spiritual purpose of their music with commercial expectations.

He called for greater investment in the sector, stronger industry structures, improved copyright enforcement and more professional development opportunities for gospel artistes.

King said he would also like to see a more structured and sustainable ecosystem for gospel music, particularly through better education on music business, publishing, royalties, copyright, branding and digital distribution.

He advocated greater collaboration between gospel artistes and industry professionals, saying such cooperation could help talented musicians build sustainable careers without compromising the integrity of their message.

For aspiring gospel musicians, King advised them to prioritise purpose over popularity and ensure that their relationship with God remains central to their work.

“Carry a deep message before going to the studio to record. Know your purpose and stay true to it,” he said, adding that gospel music is not simply about becoming popular but about ministry and impact.

He further encouraged upcoming artistes to develop their talents, remain teachable and work hard, while resisting pressures that could make them lose sight of why they started.

“The Bible should never be far from you,” King added