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By Esther Egbe
Meet gospel musician who spoke recently with Amebo Newspaper Esther Egbe about his career and more .
Righteousman Erhabor, the Gospel Reggae Dance International Convener has performed and collaborated with renowned artists' homes and abroad.Who joyfully married to Songstress and Nollywood Actor Carol Cee, a Super grandfather with five children.
Righteousman who is currently serving as a director on the board of the Copyright Society of Nigeria "COSON."
He is a child of prodigy, the church like so many of his contemporaries breathed musical life into his tender lungs, and for the best of 3 decades plus exploring the music industry, gathering abundance in accolades, fame and respect.
At what age did you venture into music?
My first release under Felix Liberty, I was 19 ,but recorded the album when I was 18.
At the age of sixteen years old, I made my entry into the industry via NTA Benin Music Panorama, a popular show in the 80s. I later release my debut album as a teenager titled “STAY WITH ME” under Lebarty Records owned by the Iconic Pop Star Felix Liberty who is now a Pastor. With over thirty albums under his belt, a string of hits spanning social responsibility and universal love themes having the highest number of videos in Nigeria, An Intimidating consistency as a Reggae Powerhouse. He is arguably one of Nigeria’s nay Africa’s most thoroughbred Gospel reggae Ambassador.
The multi-award winning performing artiste, Song Writer, Music Producer, Video Director, Actor and Author of two inspirational books titled Push and a little parts of me .also is the Founder and President of Praise Affairs International, a music/film ministry and Chief Responsibility Officer Big Town International, a music institution set up to discover, develop and display Awrtistes in Nigeria and Abroad. a man of many parts hails from Edo State ,but will always appear a Bendelite because the mother is from the Itsikiri speaking part of Delta State.
Can you share your testimony of how you became a gospel musician and songwriter?
A dedicated Christian mother gave birth to me, so growing up knowing God was easy for me.
The gift of writing and singing came from God, and having the knowledge to understand the content of my message, be it secular or gospel, started when I was very young.
I started wrI never knew what secular or gospel music was, but I knew I was going to be a musician, and all the songs I wrote until I grew to understand the difference did not promote sex gangs, drugs or songs that insult the personality of the holy spirit.
They were conscious and gospel songs that dealt with the ills in the society and songs of Praise and Redemption.
What inspired you to choose the stage name "Righteous Man?
Righteousman is not an alias. It's my birth name given to me by my mother.
How does your faith influence your music and ministry?
You can't give what you don't have. Through the message in my songs, you can tell what influences me.
What drives your passion for praise and worship?
Firstly, I don't want to be replaced by a stone.
I was created to praise Him, and I'm a lover of God, the lover of my soul.
I have told God severally that even if He doesn't bless me, I will still praise and worship Him as my Lord and personal Saviour
Can you walk us through your songwriting process? How do you get inspiration for your lyrics?
It's much easier to say songs come from the things we see, hear, and know, but in all, it comes divinely from God who created all things
How do you balance being a musician and a family man?
I know and understand the responsibilities of being a music maker and a family man and making life more beautiful; my best friend, who happens to be my wife, is in the same business as me. The synergy is perfect because our house is a musical place of love, peace, and happiness.
How do you see your role impacting the church community?
My sound of salvation has been and still impacts lives.Evangelism is our supreme task. Not only in music and preaching but in doing good to the homeless, widows, sick, poor, etc
How does your local church experience influence your music and ministry?
I have read and heard different preachers talk about the woman with the issue of blood for so many years, but two years ago in church, he preached about the same woman, and immediately, the pastor said the blood dried up after touching the hem of Jesus garment, the song "DRIED UP" dropped and I finished writing all verses before the end of service that Sunday.
Your local church is a "well" of inspiration. It's either if you feel too big to fetch from it or humble to gain from it.
What's your favorite part about performing live, and how do you connect with your audience?
Performing live puts you in control of everything you want to see and hear.
It does not cage you, with no restrictions; you know when to change the mood of the sound depending on how the audience's reactions are.
You can communicate with an audience just by dancing without singing,it varies.
How do you prepare for a performance, spiritually and physically?
Spiritually, through studying God's word, prayer, and meditation.Physically, through constant rehearsals with my team.
Who are some of your biggest musical influences, both within and outside the gospel genre?
Bob Marley, Steel Pulse, Yellowman, Osaro Nomayo (Uselu Motor Park), Majek Fashek, Panam Percy Paul, Alpha Blondy
Are there any specific scriptures or biblical themes that inspire your music?
John 3:16 has kept me going over the years.
Psalms and Proverbs have played major roles, too.
What are your upcoming projects or releases that we can look forward to?
I'm so excited about my new book that will be released soon, and I am prayerfully working to acquire our musical equipment for the Gospel Reggae Dance Street Concerts. Also, my 11-year-old daughter, Victoria "Tori," debuted Jesus single, which just came out a few weeks ago. She's a work in progress right now.
Are there any collaborations or partnerships on the horizon that you're excited about?
Yes Yes Yes, but I can't let the cat out of the bag for now before the original becomes the fake (ha ha ha)
How do you stay grounded and focused on your faith amidst the demands of your music ministry?
You can never be disfocussed or distracted when you are in partnership with the Holy Spirit. All things just work together for my good.
What are some of the challenges you encounter as an artist, and how do you overcome them?
Challenges come and go in many ways, and they can't stop coming till Jesus comes. One thing I'm so sure of is that they will go as they come. My faith is alive; I'm always on the move, using every stumbling block as a stepping stone around me.
Could you share some memorable events that are significant in your professional and personal journey?
There are so many, so plenty, a lot, but I can't forget a church we went to minister in Lagos; it was on Friday all-night service and inside the church auditorium was a market of women selling tomatoes. Pepper, yam, etc. I mean, like a real market inside the church, not around the premises but inside the auditorium.
So many a time, my friends had to push for me to minister in some gospel concerts or church programs. The organizers will turn them down because of my dreadlocks, or they can't see or feel Jesus through me, but all the times they've given me a try is with the condition that they won't take care of the transportation for me and my team but after the ministration, the story changes and I will be the first artiste to be contacted mostly for their next event.
I have always been that rejected stone that later became the real deal.
What is your take on the kinds of gospel songs we have nowadays that are appealing to the genz and lack some form of spirituality?
God reveals himself to people differently.
I'm not in the position to define who is more spiritual than the other when it comes to who is praising Him more. As there's time for everything and season, there are songs for different reasons and seasons. I am privileged to meet a lot of Genz who are so passionate about the work of God and are going about it diligently. People are inspired differently.
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