Nigeria has produced a plethora of talented musicians who have made a name for themselves in the secular music industry.
However, many of these artistes started their musical journey in church choirs. From multi-instrumentalists to choir masters, these musicians honed their craft and developed their talents in the church before transitioning to secular music.
In this article, we take a look at some of the notable Nigerian artists who have moved from the church choir to the secular music scene.
Don Jazzy
A multi-instrumentalist, Don Jazzy was once a music director in his church choir.
D’banj
Before traveling to the UK, D’banj was a member of his church choir. He later met Don Jazzy there.
J Martins
With a choir mistress for a mother, J Martins and his seven siblings all caught the singing bug. He used to produce music for only gospel singers.
Timaya
He began his music career in the church choir before working as a backup for Eedris Abdulkareem for three years.
Wizkid
Big Wiz started singing in the church choir when he was 11 years old and has been in love with music ever since. He even dropped an album in church.
P-Square
Their mother, a pastor, wanted Paul to become a pastor and Peter a lawyer. Both brothers sang in their mother’s church choir.
Iyanya
Iyanya sang in his church choir and was even the choirmaster for the children’s choir at the age of 5.
Wande Coa
Like many great musicians, Wande Coal began singing in the teenage choir in church, where he met bandmate Chuddy K.
Waje
A young and gifted singer, Waje once sang gospel tunes to the delight of the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa of the Word of Faith Church, Benin. He was so impressed by her gift that he decided to sponsor her throughout her secondary school days.
Terry G
His mother was a choir mistress and he joined the choir and played instruments in church.
KCEE
KCEE got his start in the church choir and met his former bandmate Presh in church. He seems to be back to gospel songs.
Simi
Simi grew up singing and dancing in her local church’s choir. She wrote her first song at the age of 10 and was a gospel singer.
