Churches paid chicken change- Simi reveals

Simi, the talented Nigerian songbird, has finally opened up about her decision to leave the gospel music scene in Nigeria. In a recent interview on MTV Base Africa’s show, Official Naija Top 10, Simi revealed that one of the main reasons she made the switch was due to the meager payment she received as a gospel artist.

During her time in the gospel music industry, Simi would perform at various churches, and the performance fees she received were dishearteningly low, ranging from N5,000 to N10,000. The highest amount she ever earned was N70,000, which, at that time, felt like a significant sum to her. Despite the modest earnings, Simi made sure to pay a 10 percent tithe from the money, emphasizing her commitment to her faith.

However, the financial struggles didn’t end with the performance fees. Simi found it challenging to cover the expenses associated with studio sessions, music production, and promotion, which eventually led her to consider a different path.

Ultimately, she made the difficult decision to transition to secular music. The challenges and limitations she faced as a gospel artist were instrumental in shaping this choice. Now, as a successful artist known for hits like “Duduke,” Simi has found her place in the music industry and is thriving in her new direction.