Tobi Adegboyega, the flamboyant Nigerian pastor based in the UK, has called popular musician Davido, born David Adeleke, a gospel artist.
In a conversation on the Off The Record podcast, Adegboyega explained that the essence of gospel is spreading good news, and according to him, Davido is doing just that. He was responding to a question about why he invited secular musicians to perform at his recent birthday celebration instead of gospel artists.
Adegboyega also referred to Nigerian artist Zlatan as his son, highlighting the close bond they share.
He said, “Gospel means good news. Everyone there is a gospel artist. Davido is a gospel artist. Have you heard ‘Because I Stand Strong?’”
He further explained his approach, stating, “What I had then were my friends—friends who are there through thick and thin. Davido told me, ‘I just want to be there and perform for one hour.’ They’re my friends. I didn’t pay any of them. They love me, and I will give my friends platforms.”
The pastor also responded to critics, saying, “If gospel artists aren’t my friends and instead join the bandwagon to criticize me by asking, ‘Is that a church?’ What should I do? Drag them with a rope?”
Adegboyega clarified that it’s always his friends who will perform at his events, adding, “Zlatan is like a son to me; his kids are my kids, and his parents were in my house. So should I now say, ‘Well, because you are not gospel artists, let me go and look for some gospel artists who are criticizing me and force them to sing?’”
He concluded by saying, “My friends will always sing at my events, and the next one will be bigger because my circle of friends keeps growing.”
