•Says “I Am Just An Empty Vessel GOD Decided To Use”
Wednesday 11th September, 2024 was another sad day for the Nigeria Gospel community, as they lost another talent, Dele Agbeyo popularly known as Dele Gold.
His death came as a great shock to many because he recently celebrated his birthday in April, where he reflected on what he described as “Rare Blessing and Favour”.
His death follows that of another Gospel singer, Aduke Ajayi, better known as Aduke Gold, who died from cervical cancer in August.
Before his death, Dele Gold was one of Nigeria’s finest and most talented musicians who carved a niche for himself in the music industry with his highly energetic, innovative and original tunes. Dele Gold made headlines in 2019 when he collaborated with Juju music legend, Ebenezer Obey on one of his albums, solidifying his place in the Nigeria Gospel music scene.
He spoke exclusively with City People Head of TV, SUNDAY ADIGUN on how he started.
Can we meet you, Sir?
My name is Dele Agbeyo, popularly known as Dele Gold, I’m from Usi Ekiti in Ekiti State, and I’m a Gospel Singer by the grace of God.
Let’s talk about your Journey into the Music industry, how did it all start?
It all started as a teenager, I always dreamt seeing myself composing and singing but in reality, I do not sing, as a matter of fact, I never thought of becoming an artiste, so, I became uncomfortable each time I went to church, but here I am today, to the glory of God.
Your style of Music is similar with that of Ebenezer Obey, King Sunny Ade, and late Baba Ara. Are they your role models or mentors?
Truly they are my bosses that I respect so much in the industry. But my own inspiration was given to me by God. I’m just like an Empty vessel, that God decided to use, there are lots of things I do that I don’t know where the inspiration comes from, the only thing I did ask God when I was young was to bless me. Sources of my music were never mine and can never be mine.
What has been the acceptability of your song in the market and what were the challenges you are facing as a gospel musician?
The very first challenge I faced was to let people accept my kind of Music in a situation where you have a new album coming out, you need to understand the system because you don’t expect them to accept you so easily especially when you are not singing what they are used to. My songs are scripture-based, which is why I sing with some of the Yoruba proverbs to teach people, especially the younger ones lessons. So, to think people will accept it easily, it’s a joke, people will dance to the song they know from A-Z but the one you composed yourself, you have a lot of work to do even to convince them to listen to the messages in the song. So those were the challenges we faced at the initial stage, but to the glory of God, people are now getting used to our kind of music. Every musician must have their own Original product, not adulterated ones, your music is your product. We must always challenge ourselves not to get used to singing other people’s songs or church songs. So my music is my product, if they accept it, praise God, if they don’t praise God, all I know is that I want to leave a good Legacy for my children through my kind of song, Baba Obey will always be Baba Obey till eternity, why? Because he has never sang to impress anybody, baba KSA will always be KSA. Both of them were not easily accepted when they started but today none of their songs is meaningless both old and new. Let’s be sure of what we are giving out. Egberun Ahon, one of my albums deals with our culture. I want my children to see all my products as their inheritance.
Now talking of the acceptability, it has been wow, though it was a 50-50 chance when I started, I took the risk of going about with my lyrics. I so much believe in my lyrics and till today, when people see me they embrace me, which simply tells me it pays to be focused in life. Because our songs Egberun Ahon and Infinite God are selling fast in the market, people are beginning to reckon with my songs, though we have one video, we are still working on others.
What advice do you have for the younger ones out there?
In anything you do in life don’t take credit of the success. Also, don’t be too focused on money, learn to develop whatever talent God has given you, believe in God and be focused.
