Despite the fact that she is a fast-rising gospel music singer, Simeon Mercy, has also proved that she is a multi-talented
personality as she is also making waves in other aspects of the entertainment including fashion industry. In this interview with
FAVOUR BOLUWADE, she speaks about her careers and current project.
Question: When did you professionally start music?
Respond: I started music professionally five years ago, though I have been singing since I was young because I have been in the choir all my life right from the time I started talking clearly as a child.
Question: How would you rate the attention given to gospel artistes nowadays and how good has it been?
Respond: I would say gospel artistes are now given more respect than they used to have back in the days, and are sure getting attention just as they are supposed to. Though the world enjoys more of secular songs, but that doesn’t stop us because no one can stop God as we all know. See the likes of Mercy Chinwo who is actually my mentor; Tim Godfrey, Victoria Orenze, Sinach and a lot of them like that, who are actually in Nigeria. God is indeed making way and difference for His people and I’m glad about it. The attention has done more than good because the world is beginning to see that there’s something different about us, our music has gone beyond just slow songs and they are evolving. For example, songs of Kirk Franklin, Tye Tribett, Tim Godfrey and others are great vibes. We have brought more than that to the table and they are indeed giving us relevance.
Question: Would you agree that there are genres that gospel artistes should avoid and why?
Respond: I do not feel so actually because we have a lot more of music genres, but don’t use them since we feel they are sinful, but then the secular world uses these genres to their advantage and people love it. Who says we can’t do gospel hip hop? Who says we can’t do RnB and make sweet lyrics to it for God and our brethren? Some actually see rap as a sin and it pains me to my marrow to see these things happening. We are actually allowed to do any genre of song the way we want so far the lyrics bring Glory to the name of Jesus. So I sure do not think we are or should be restricted to just one genre when there are lots of them out there which we can also use to our advantage.
Question: What roles do you think gospel artistes should play in the society especially now that there is unrest in our nation?
Respond: Our role isn’t limited to just singing to the Father alone but to sing songs that lift the spirit, lift our brothers from the down time they are in, songs that our friends who are in pain, anguish, depression of the society and trouble, would listen to and be blessed because they heard a line that touched them from our song. A friend once said that we shouldn’t always make the songs we write vertical alone that is, to God alone, we should also write songs that are horizontal that is, songs that talk to our fellow brothers and sisters about not giving up, and songs that motivate. And by doing this, trust me, we are definitely adding to our society one way or the other.
Source: tribuneonlineng.com