Nigerian gospel singer Alayo Melody has revealed that the death of fellow artiste Toluwanisings has left some gospel musicians apprehensive, with colleagues contacting him to express their fears.
In a video shared on Instagram, Alayo said he had received several calls from people in the gospel music industry who were worried about the recent deaths of artistes and concerned about who might be next.
The singer disclosed that Toluwanisings’ death had affected him personally, as they were scheduled to perform together at an event the following week and still had discussions pending before the tragedy.
While expressing sympathy for the late singer’s family and children, Alayo said he accepted the loss as God’s will and prayed for the family to find comfort.
He also used the opportunity to address what he described as the pressure gospel artistes face to accept invitations and please people, even when doing so conflicts with their personal convictions or need for rest.
‘Don’t accept every ministration’
Alayo advised gospel musicians against accepting invitations to church programmes or other engagements when they felt uncomfortable about attending.
He argued that artistes should not compromise their personal well-being simply to avoid disappointing organisers or their admirers.
According to him, musicians should be willing to turn down engagements when they feel they need to rest or are not comfortable with the circumstances surrounding an invitation.
He added that artistes who are reluctant to accept an invitation should feel free to decline rather than allow external expectations to dictate their decisions.
Alayo urges gospel artistes to reconnect with their roots
Beyond the pressure of professional engagements, the singer criticised what he described as a growing disconnect between some gospel musicians and their spiritual foundations.
He argued that fame and modern influences had caused some artistes to abandon the religious traditions and practices that shaped their upbringing.
Drawing from his own background, Alayo said he was raised in the Cherubim and Seraphim tradition and joined the Celestial Church of Christ in 1995.
He referenced traditional practices within these church communities, including the use of candles, eggs and swords in certain spiritual observances, arguing that pride and changing attitudes had led some people to question practices upheld by earlier generations.
Alayo also criticised gospel singers who, in his view, frequently minister at different churches without maintaining a consistent place of worship or developing a strong understanding of the Bible.
He urged his colleagues to strengthen their spiritual lives and return to the foundations of their faith.
Concluding his message, the singer prayed against further premature deaths and called for an end to what he described as evil within the gospel music community.
