Renowned Nigerian gospel singer Dr. Panam Percy Paul has revealed that he turned down a staggering N7 billion (£24 million) record deal in 1995 because it required him to reduce the mention of Jesus in his songs.
In a resurfaced interview from August 2024 with Pastor Emmanuel Iren, the 68-year-old gospel legend recalled receiving the lucrative offer at the peak of his career. However, the deal came with one critical condition—he had to limit how often he mentioned Jesus in his lyrics.
Although Paul did not disclose the name of the record label, he explained that they suggested he use alternative references like “Righteous One” or “Greatest Lover” instead of explicitly mentioning Jesus.
“The catch was, ‘Can you reduce the number of times you call the name Jesus in your songs?’ And there was more where this came from,” Paul recounted.
“One of them said to me, ‘You actually don’t need to mention the name Jesus. You can call Him other names like Righteous One or Greatest Lover.’”
Unwilling to compromise his faith, the gospel veteran immediately rejected the deal.
“I was shocked, so I told them, ‘You can keep the money while I keep the name,’” he said.
Paul’s revelation has reignited discussions about the increasing commercialization of gospel music and the pressures artists face from record labels. He criticized how industry demands often prioritize commercial success over spiritual integrity.
“Today, the extreme is that the music ministry has now become a music industry. The industry now dictates to the ministers what to do, how to sing, and when to sing,” he lamented.
His bold stance has drawn praise from many Christians and gospel enthusiasts, who see his decision as a testament to his unwavering faith and commitment to his ministry.
