Today, we have a very talented Gospel rap act, he's '5 star', per excellent minister of the Word. We're about to know more about him, his music and belief.
Good evening man of God. Can we meet you sir?
My name is El-shaddai Agbon, 2nd child/son in a family of five. I am a Christian who loves to rap. My. Friends call me El which also serves as my stage alias.
That's great sir. El - Shaddai? Mummy and Daddy must be Pastor and Pastor Mrs o.
Lol.. Daddy is actually a pastor but I like to keep that on a low.
Can you tell us about your childhood and educational background?
Well, I was born in Jos, grew up in bauchi; lived there for 8 years. Pops had to move us cos of the increased riots n murder of Christians.
Educational background?
I resumed my primary education then finished my secondary education in Abuja, spent close to 10yrs in Abuja; my new home. I attended Federal Government boys College, Garki, Abuja; very prestigious. I figured I had enough of Abuja and I applied to Uniben to study geology. This was 2010. Got into Uniben, something happened and I got kicked out. I re-wrote jamb and re-applied to the same Uniben and got in again. For geography this time. I'm currently about to round up. God is awesome like that. I remember vividly nights when we had to wake up around 12 or 1am and drive to the nearest barracks and sleep there. God kept us. We moved to Abuja in 2000.
Glory to God. You're not done with schooling yet and you're already into music. How do you manage these two without clashes?
Well, there have been clashes, trust me, many many clashes. It helps to know that Music is God's will for me. So most times it's my book I don't pay heed to. But I always try to balance both of them and God has been faithful.
What do your parents say about doing while you're in school? An average Nigerian parent would condemn/rule that as arrant nonsense.
Well.... I didn't fling Music in their faces at first, kept it low-key. Generally they are supportive, but very cautious and wary of it. They insist on dropping it temporarily and facing my books and all, which for a time I did but the thing about passion is you can't shelve it for long. It'll always re - surface. It started with ministering in my fellowship and then snow balled into something else.
What does Gospel rap mean to you and How so you think the Gospel could be sent across the world through your music?
Gospel rap is a tool. Gospel Rap is a weapon. It's a tool for building up people, the church. It's a weapon against the enemy and his works. You see, words have power. Gospel rap is simply speaking life. The right words are powerful beyond measure. Rap is basically speaking. I always ensure err song I write is built on the fact Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Next, I aim for a particular audience and then deliberately craft whatever message placed in my spirit from heaven and add an artistic touch to it.
Lovely. Do you have anyone you look up to? Any mentor(s)? Someone or something that inspires you?
Ahhhhhhhh... Plenty. Lecrae, Trip lee, M.I, Vector, Boogey, Andy Mineo, Mc Jin, Plenty people that have impacted my sound. My mentor has gotta be M.i tho. He's a revolutionary.
Cool. Who would you feature between Andy Mineo and Lecrae on a song if you had the chance to pick just one?
Andy. Reason is cos Andy on a track with me will push me to really dig and bring the best to the table. He's cool like that. Crae is great too.
A lot of Christians believe rap music is from the pit of hell should I say they think It's bad music for bad people and would never accept anything called 'gospel rap'. What is your take on this?
A lot of Christians are conflicted. About almost everything else. I'll say this tho; rap is made up of words. Words are powerful, they build and they tear down. I believe Rap is like a loaded gun. Question is...what is the rapper aiming at??? People need to listen, weigh and decide.
As for acceptance; in Nigeria, many secular rappers are making waves, being patronized by Christians and unbelievers alike and they really don't make much sense. I aim to offer an alternative. Good music with the truth of God's word imbedded in it. For the church and for unbelievers alike. My greatest joy is when people listen to my music and are blessed and touched in some way, that's God's validation.
Do you have any projects you're working on presently?
Yup. My first project, an E.P named 'Anonymous'. A 6-track album. Debut and stuff.
When should we expect it?
Well, I'm dropping it track by track but it shuld be done before March next year. Good things take time. Anticipate.
Are you married or in any relationship?
Currently? No.
What do you do apart from rap at your leisure time?
I write songs for other people, write novels,read them. I love Pastor Chris, I listen to his tapes a lot. I love the cinema too, I watch movies analytically. I'm a decent actor. That's my 2nd love.
Cool. Word for your fans and upcoming Gospel rap acts out there?
To my fans...be cool....lol. Just kidding. Expect a lot of good things from me o. God is just starting with us. We need to understand that our primary assignment is outside the church; in the streets, hood.....we need to improve, I mean really really improve.
Upcoming rap acts in church....well, we have an immense advantage, we are backed up by The Word. Soak up the word then spit it out...it'll always work. That been said, we need to buckle up and work on ourselves so when we say Jesus is Lord, our 1.something million followers on twitter will see it (winks).
Connect:
Twitter: @itzEllagbon
Connect:
Twitter: @itzEllagbon
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