Gabriel Eziashi is a songwriter, singer, and author. Despite performing on major stages around the world for huge crowds, he remains simple and humble. When we introduced ourselves and asked for a quick chat during a recent visit to Stuttgart, Germany, for instance, he agreed without hesitation.
At 54, Gabriel Eziashi is still known for his powerful voice and energetic performances, which have earned him a respected place among African Gospel musicians. Before starting his professional Gospel career, he pastored branches of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in the United Kingdom, then moved to the United States, where he currently resides.
In this interview with Lifted Magazine, Gabriel Eziashi shares his experiences as a Gospel singer, discusses personal challenges, and talks about current issues in the Gospel music scene.
Here are some highlights from our conversation:
LIFTED: Let’s start with your projects. Is there anything in the offing?
A.: I have one project coming up in April this year in Kenya. And another one in Tanzania – I have a live recording going on there. In Dallas, Texas, United States, where I am based, there is something coming up, too.
LIFTED: EMust be very hectic.
A.: I’m not complaining. I am in the will of the Father. I am doing what I’m supposed to do. I am grateful to God.
LIFTED: We’ve followed your gospel music career. Your song ‘My praise’ is one of our favourites. What led you to record that song?
A.: I went to Nigeria to record an album. That song wasn’t meant to be part of the album. My manager at the time, Joel Benson, and Cubam Asuquo wrote the song for another singer named Gabriel, too. But, he didn’t do it. So, I did it.
I just lost my wife then. She died three times. She had a baby. And, coming out of that situation, I sang ‘My praise’ and the rest is history.
LIFTED: That must have been very challenging.
A.: Oh, Jesus! I don’t wish the devil such a situation. The beauty of it is, I remember that date, telling God I can’t do it . But if you have decided that I will be a widower now, it’s okay. I just want you to know that I can’t do it on my own. God is good. It’s been 26 years, and we are still together.
LIFTED: There was this debate in Nigeria recently about gospel artists commercialising gospel music. What’s your take on this?
A.: I am very careful to speak on topics like this. But I am not afraid to air my views. Everybody knows their call, the mission God created them for. In Jeremiah 1: 4 and 5, God speaks. He said that before the parents knew each other, He (God) knew him (Jeremiah) and ordained him to be a prophet. And in verse 10, the scripture says He anointed him, laid hands on him.
I am a minister, I’m not an artist. Two different things. Wherever I go, I don’t talk about money. And, I have never lacked. The house we live in right now – over 3000 Square feet, 4 bedrooms, 2 living rooms was a gift.
At the same time, I don’t blame people who charge (money). The scripture says a labourer deserves his or her wage. I wrote a book on worship – even God said His first chosen people – the Levites should never work. They were cared for from the tithes of other tribes. So, if any church has worship leaders and they are cared for, charging money won’t occur. But then, some of them are university graduates who studied music, just like doctors studied medicine. The doctors are paid, why not the artists? You see where I stand? What if it is what they do professionally?
In my own case, I am an Igbo man I would have loved to do business. But the Lord showed me another direction. So, I depend on no one because that is the covenant I have with Him. For this reason, I can not put down anybody.
Where I don’t agree is in the excesses – churches want your services, and they can’t afford you. (The question is) Have you prayed to know if God says go there? Is it everywhere the Lord says you should collect money? You see, these are the fine lines people don’t take the time to check. So, what’s my stand on this? First, I am neither for nor against them.
Everybody must know what God is telling them. The reason is simple – you will account, you will report, you will one day stand before God to give account. My take is: make sure that the Lörd is backing you. Because if He is not? Ayaah!… I have seen altars, and I have seen altars! Some go and never return. You dry up. We live in the era of grace, but please don’t abuse grace. Because if you abuse grace, you won’t know when disgrace starts.
LIFTED: What is behind your energetic performance? We learnt there was a break provision during your concert yesterday, but surprisingly, you never paused. Where do you derive your energy from?
A.: Honestly, sir, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, and I’m not trying to spiritualise this – It is the Holy Spirit. You need to see me at my hotel after the concert. You see, once I am in that office where I have been graced to do what I am created to do, I forget I exist. The Lord carries me. The Lord said in Psalm 91:11 that He has given His Angels charge over us. Once you see me performing, no matter how tired I am, you won’t know. But when I return to my room thereafter, I snore. It is the Holy Spirit. God has been merciful to me.
LIFTED: As a gospel singer, what has been your greatest challenge?
A.: Aaaaah! Do I have any challenges? I honestly have to think about it. What would have been a challenge, the Lord raised people for me, and that is the whole truth. Whatever I’m not able to comprehend or lack the capacity to handle, God always bring people. I have a young man named Henrisoul. We did the song ‘Emmanuel’ together.
(INTERJECTION) Oh! We thought it was Nathaniel Bassey who did that song!
A.: It’s my song in collaboration with Henrisoul. The man said to me, ‘The Lord said to come and work with you.’ And everything you have seen over the last four years is that young man. People say to me, ‘You don’t say anything’ I say it. The scripture says that if you honour a Prophet, the reward is yours.
LIFTED: Let’s talk about yourself. Do you do anything else apart from singing?
A.: Nothing!! I am a full-time gospel singer.
LIFTED: You are based in the US. How often do you visit Nigeria?
A.: Jesus! Last year, I was in Nigeria four times. This year, I have not been. The reason is that I don’t have an engagement there at the moment. This year, my focus is on East and South Africa. Particularly Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa as mentioned. Then, probably Ghana in about November. But if you invite me, I will come. (Laugh)
(INTERJECTION) We shall!
LIFTED: We must ask you this question, and it has to do with the interpretation of your song ‘My praise’. An incident occurred over twenty years ago in my former church. And, I never thought I would have the opportunity to ask you this in person. This particular song was being sung by the Church Choir, and the pastor’s wife did not approve of it. When it got to the line ‘Wetin I go give you…I nor get money’…She was like How can you confess you don’t have money to offer to God? You can’t say you have nothing to give to God. That song is not right! Being your song, how do you react?
A.: It has to do with people’s interpretation. As I said earlier, what led to the song was that my wife had died. The question was, was it the money I was going to give God that would bring her back? The chorus takes care of that – My praise!
God does not eat your money. Yes! Money is needed to expand God’s work and all that, understandably. What is it you want to give to God that He didn’t give you? John 4:24 says that God is a Spirit, and that those who worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and truth. So, my praise is my truth, my All-in-all. And all I owe Him is my praise.
LIFTED: God bless you.
A.: Amen!