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Tag: Lara George

  • Lara George calls out churches for underpaying local gospel artists

    Lara George calls out churches for underpaying local gospel artists

    US-based gospel singer, Lara George, has criticized some churches for their alleged hypocrisy in compensating gospel artists, highlighting how local musicians are often unpaid while foreign artists receive substantial fees.

    In a social media post, George questioned why churches willingly pay large sums to invite international gospel stars but refuse to fairly compensate local talents.

    She also challenged her followers to consider how they would feel if they learned their favourite international gospel artist charged $100,000 per church performance.

    Read Also: Offering didn’t buy our first aircraft, God bought it – Bishop David Oyedepo

    George also raised concerns about the extravagant lifestyles of some pastors, questioning whether their wealth stems from personal ventures like book and CD sales or from congregational tithes and offerings.

    She wrote on Instagram: “If you found out that your favorite non-Naija Gospel artiste charges $100k USD to sing songs of praise and worship, would they appear less spiritual to you because they do so? Or did you all think that they sing for free? 

    “If you discovered that many of your favorite ‘pulpit persons’ who act as though paying the Naija artiste is an unthinkable thing, are actually paying the non-Naija artiste those so-called ‘high sums of money’, would your view of the ‘pulpit person’ change?

    “Have you ever asked whether it is the ‘pulpit-person’s’ tapes and cds that are affording them the lavish lifestyles they live with private jets here and there? Or is that lifestyle from tithes and offerings????

    “A Gospel artiste is indeed a professional. A professional artiste. Is there such a thing as a professional pastor?

    “Dear ‘pastor’, What’s your source of livelihood exactly? If we stop the tithes and offerings, will that ministry also retire??? I can’t stand either bullies or hypocrisy!

  • Lara George: Why I wanted to quit gospel for secular music

    Lara George came into limelight as a member of the defunct musical group KUSH. In this interview with DUPE AYINLA OLASUNKANMI, the gospel artiste, who has since gone solo and now based in the US, talks about her music, relationship with her husband/manager and her entrepreneurial adventure. Excerpts

    What are your plans as the year has kicked off?

    I have been busy promoting my most recent album titled ‘A Slice of Heaven’. I recently released two videos off of that album for the songs ‘Eyin L’Oba’ and ‘Jesus You Reign. I am also currently working on new music.

    What is it like being a gospel artiste?

    It’s a very rewarding experience to put songs out there that actually go on to impact people’s lives positively. People experience hope, restoration, deliverance, healing and so many,  many awesome encounters as a result of the music of a gospel artiste and that is an invaluable thing. I have had people tell me stories of how my songs have created atmospheres of healing. One person told me of how her mother came out of a coma after she played my song to her, another wrote to me about a wrongly positioned  baby turning into correct position in the womb as my song played in the labour room. There was a lady who the doctors had told she would not likely walk again after suffering from stroke. She told me that she listened to my music and felt God telling  her to get up and try to walk. I sang at her birthday party as she danced unaided to my songs. What huge testimonies! These are simply priceless.

    What has been your staying power?

    I truly believe that it’s having a child-like approach to life and the art of music. First of all, I am my only competitor. If you spend your time trying to outdo other people, it is easy to become consumed with envy, and once that happens (at least for the gospel artiste), it taints your music. I believe there is a certain purity that being in gospel requires, and in order to have that purity, one needs to look first and only to God.

    Do you see yourself retiring soon?

    I don’t think it would be possible if I even try to. I hope to, like Mariam Makeba, stay on the stage and in music till my very last breath. I love, love, love music that much.

    How do you feel when people sing praises of the song ‘Ijoba Orun’?

    I feel honoured.  It’s a beautiful thing when people appreciate your work. The song ‘Ijoba Orun’ was one that was in popular domain which I then I re-wrote and did a re-make of. It’s an honour that people love my version of it so much.

    Which would you say is your best song, among all you have released?

    Well I personally don’t have a ‘best song’ out of all of my releases, but I know I certainly have a most popular one and that is currently the song ‘Dansaki (I’m acknowledging You).

    And which is your most challenging?

    Well, I wouldn’t really say I have a ‘most challenging’ song. All my songs are self-written and I totally love every single one.

    Has there ever been a time you felt like going secular?

    Yes, I have, actually. Every time I was disrespected by a pastor or even another gospel artiste (unfortunately that tends to happen quite a bit), in the past, I would ask myself if I had made a good decision by being in the gospel music sector. That was initially though. I long ago discarded those sorts of thought and I am fully convinced that I am right where God needs me to be.

    What is your take on gospel artistes featuring secular artistes on their songs?

    I think it’s a beautiful thing as long as the songbeing collaborated on is one that celebrates God or any kind of positive theme.

    You are currently abroad, any plans to stay?

    I am now permanently based in the United States. I visit Nigeria and other parts of the world very frequently for events still, just like I have always done. Only my origination point has changed.

    And how do you intend to connect with your fans at home?

    The world is now a global village. It’s a great timeto be alive and doing one’s work, and for an independent artiste like myself, social media brings it all together. I am very active on Instagram, Facebook , Twitter and YouTube.  All my friends can connect with me via any of those platforms.

    Having been married to your manager for a while, what is the secret?

    Well, my husband was my husband before he became my manager actually. If you are asking the secret to being married for the 14+years that we have, I would say it’s having a sense of commitment and constantly being forgiving of each other.

    It is believed that being married to a colleague is a no-go area, why was yours different?

    Like I said earlier, we were already married before my husband became my manager. It just made more sense to have someone as close as that to me handle the management aspect of things. We had always worked together (in real estate), he is a trained lawyer called to the bar in Nigeria, and he has a good understanding of the legal side of things. It’s true that things can get a bit complicated when one is working with one’s spouse but we have had to learn and are still learning too to constantly take a minute away from the work so we can see each other and just be with each other without letting the work get in the way. I think that helps.

    Has there ever been fear of failing?

    Do you mean failing musically? The thing is that music is a work of art. Every artiste’s prayer is that one’s songs will be loved by the listeners. No matter how many hits you have as an artiste, I think that every single time one releases a new song or album, it is with a huge prayer that it will be well-received.

    So without doubt, the question is always there: ‘will they love this one as much as they loved the last?’ One thing I need for a lot of people to understand is that artistes are probably one set of people who have the highest levels of self-doubt. I know it sounds unbelievable, but often times, behind all the show of bravado, there are so many questions beneath the veneer. It’s the reason why comedians encounter depression and popular people often have no or very few true friends. The fear of failure is always there.

    Tell us, how is Soforte faring?

    For those who do not know, let me say that Soforte Entertainment Ltd is West-Africa’s first structured home-grown entertainment distribution company. Our mission was to achieve the distribution of CDs, DVDs and other physical music and film products first across Nigeria and subsequently in other locations, in order to ensure proper tracking and eventual remuneration to the owners of the intellectual property in question.

    We managed to achieve excellent synergy with Alaba Market, and by partnering with a major courier company as well as UAC’s Mr Biggs outlets all across the nation, we set out on the massive mission to achieve this great feat. Unfortunately, Nigeria is not a nation that very much encourages her entrepreneurs, and we encountered obstacles too numerous to mention, not least of which was funding. The project is currently at rest, but I am most proud to have been part of such a venture on the landscape of the Nigerian entertainment sector.

    Do you have artistes signing in?

    Not at the moment.

    Tell us about your glowing beauty?

    First let me say thank you for the compliment. Maybe it’s a reflection of my state of mind. I like to be happy and perhaps that makes a person glow.

    Is any of your kids showing traits of being a singer?

    Both my children love music actually. My son Adeoba (first child) really loves to sing though. Let me just say we are giving him room and space to decide what his true interests are. No pressure at all!

    Do you guys, KUSH still keep in touch?

    Yes, we do on occasion.

    Do we see you having a comeback with your mates?

    Many people reading this article probably don’t even have a clue what the group KUSH was or is.

    What do you miss about the group?

    I wonder when I will stop getting KUSH questions. It’s a distant memory now, but I remember when it was all still fresh, I missed the friendship that I thought we all had. That’s probably what I missed the most in the early days after we went our separate ways.

    Would you say being a solo artiste is better off?

    Being a solo artiste has been wonderful for me.  God has blessed me with a great career and the joy of being able to express my own musical sound whilst discovering myself along the way. I have been able to pace myself as a wife, mother and artiste, without necessarily being under pressure to go in any direction I didn’t want to go in or within a schedule I couldn’t fit myself into. It’s been an amazing journey and I am so thankful to God for every single day of it that I am experiencing.

  • Engineer ‘impersonates’ gospel artiste Lara George

    A 24-year-old computer engineer, Ayodeji Folarin, was yesterday arraigned at an Ikeja High Court for allegedly impersonating a popular gospel artiste, Lara George, and defrauding three Americans of $8,500.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Folarin is facing a four-count charge of obtaining money by false pretences and possession of documents containing false pretence.

    The charges were prefered against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The defendant of 2, Folarin Street, Obada Oko in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, pleaded not guilty.

    Prosecuting counsel Temitope Banjo said the defendant defrauded the foreigners between January and December 2016 in Ikeja, Lagos.

    “While posing as Lara George and with the intent to defraud, he obtained $8,500 from Trevor Dawe, Rick Cuewo and Stephen Wilson who are all citizens of the United States of America.

    “On June 2018, Folarin had in his possession, a World Lottery Organisation Winning Certificate and Affidavit of Common Law Marriage which all contained false pretenses.

    “The defendant also had in his possession emails containing false pretenses,” Banjo said.

    Following Folarin’s plea, his defence counsel, Mr Samuel Shodipo, requested that bail be granted to the defendant in the most liberal terms.

    The vacation judge, Justice Obafemi Adamson, ordered that the defendant be remanded in Ikoyi Prisons.

     

  • Man arraigned for impersonating Lara George

    A 24-year-old computer engineer, Ayodeji Folarin, was on Thursday docked at an Ikeja High Court for impersonating the famous gospel artiste, Lara George, and defrauded three Americans of $8,500 in the process.

    Folarin is facing a four-count charge of obtaining money by false pretenses and possession of documents containing false pretense.

    The charges were proffered against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The computer engineer, who resides at No. 2, Folarin St., Obada Oko in Abeokuta, Ogun, however, denied the charges.

    Read Also: Lara George celebrates 11yrs of marriage

    Mr Temitope Banjo, the prosecuting counsel to the EFCC, told the court that the defendant defrauded the foreigners between January and December 2016 in Ikeja, Lagos.

    “While posing as Lara George and with the intent to defraud, he obtained the sum of $8,500 from Trevor Dawe, Rick Cuewo and Stephen Wilson who are all citizens of the United States of America.

    “On June 2018, Folarin had in his possession, a World Lottery Organization Winning Certificate and Affidavit of Common Law Marriage which all contained false pretenses.

    “The defendant also had in his possession emails containing false pretenses,” Banjo said.

    According to the EFCC, the offences contravened Sections 1(3), 6 and 8(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006.

    Following Folarin’s plea, his defence counsel, Mr Samuel Shodipo, requested that bail be granted to the defendant in the most liberal terms.

    The vacation judge, Justice Obafemi Adamson, however, ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Ikoyi Prisons.

    Justice Adamson directed that the case file should also be taken to the Court Registry for assignment to another judge who will hear the case

  • LARA GEORGE: My husband is my biggest fan and inspiration

    LARA GEORGE: My husband is my biggest fan and inspiration

    Beginning from Queens College, Yaba, Lagos, where she was a member of the choir and later on at the University of Lagos, where she graduated with a Masters degree in Architecture, Lara George, nee Bajomo, has always had music in her. She was a member of the defunct gospel trio KUSH, along with TY Bello and Emem Ema. She has paid her dues as a gospel singer, having made many hit albums with lots of awards to her credit. Lara got married to Gbenga George who later became her manager after the break-up of her group. She speaks with Adetutu Audu on her success. 

    WHAT would you say is the secret of your towering career?

    I honestly don’t feel successful yet. What has brought me far is God; to be faithful in little so that when it is the bigger, I can do better. Be true to yourself and stay focused. In music, you cannot be truly successful if you are not your own person.

    Share with us the commercial success of your albums. Which is your favourite?

    Dasanki is my most mature work. I grew in that album and still one of the albums I sit and listen to.

    Two of my favourites are Ijoba-Orun and Dansaki; where did you get inspiration for these songs?

    My songs are personal experiences. When I did Dansaki, I was reflecting on all what God had done. It is not a small feat to be in the industry for more than 15 years as a woman who is married with kids; it is not easy to still be in the industry.

    How did you get into music: Did you always know you would do music or is it something you just stumbled into?

    I would not say that I knew; I would say it is something I always loved. Growing up, it was not a career option because my parents did not see music as something somebody serious wanted. It was just a distant love for me in my growing up days. I was always drawn to music. When I got into secondary school, which was my first opportunity to be able to make my own choices, I joined the choir at Queens College, and it was such a wonderful experience. I just carried on from there; it was a step after the other: taking solos, enjoying the whole scenario. And by the time I got to university, I was fortunate to be a part of a wonderful girl-(musical) group that enjoyed so much success on the Nigerian scene, Kush, and that was an amazing experience.

    use people would normally say it is easier to make money doing secular music. So why gospel music, for you?

    It is easier and the rules are fewer. There is more acceptability and I still ask myself why I chose gospel. Music is a responsibility apart from just being a talent. I think if God should give me a huge talent, I should be able to encourage and impact people with my music. It remains something that would promote everything of God. I think that when you decide with your life to do something as important as music, you need to make an impact.

    I read somewhere that at age six you had dreams of leading millions of people in worship to God.

    I want to be the light, where there’s darkness and give hope to the seemingly hopeless with my music.

    Looking back now, would you say you are fulfilled?

    I am on the path of fulfilment. I am in the right direction if I sum up all of my experiences. My stage and music for the past 15 years, God has given a lot of influence over what people hear from me. I am glad that people get their circumstances changed after listening to my music. That has always been my prayer and I feel I am on the path of fulfilling destiny. For me, music is a responsibility; let me put it that way. It is talent; when you are given, you need to use it wisely, to push people’s life and not to bring it down. This is the reason I chose gospel because at the end of the day, I don’t want God to ask me what I did with my gift.

    Given the perception that gospel music is not commercially viable, how have you been coping?

    I just believe that this is what I am meant to do. I’ve always called myself an inspirational artiste and I have always said that I want to do my kind of music in a different way. Sometimes, I have been criticised for it, but I am pretty much stuck with my style of music; and today, I see a lot of people trying to do the same. They say gospel music is not commercially viable, but I beg to differ. I think that God has blessed me in a different kind of way. Though the challenges are still there, it is not as crazy as people say.

    After the KUSH break-up, when did it first occur to you that you could go solo? Before that moment, did you ever doubt that you could make it as an artiste?

    KUSH broke up in 2005. I was totally blank for one year. I didn’t want to think music at all. At some point I went back to the nine-to-five job; even on the job I couldn’t focus on anything. People who recognised me would come to me and said Lara, you don’t belong here. And one day I got back to the studio and since then, there has been no looking back.

    How has the journey been as a wife and mother?

    It has been amazing and very challenging because it will not be fair to tell only one side of the story and give people a false impression that everything has always been good. It has been very challenging, but it has also been beautiful overall. So, I am grateful to God.

    wake up and pinch myself that ‘Lara, are you still here?’ I am grateful that God is helping to keep things together. Number one ingredient is openness, absolute sincerity to one another and accountability to God and one another. You should be able to give account of your time, money. For me, it has been God and God alone. When you have God in the equation of marriage, it makes all things easy.

    Your husband is your manager. How is this working for you?

    It is perfectly working for me. It is important for me to carry my husband along. As a woman, you don’t need to make your man feel he is in the shadow. I have somebody I can trust looking out for me and that makes it easier and somehow we became partners through this work. It is a beautiful experience. I really won’t have it the other way. My husband was never a problem. He is my biggest fan and inspiration, who encourages me to keep going. I make bold to say he is the reason why I am here today. He is always pushing me to the studios, to write more songs and do what I love most – music.

    How about your parent’s reaction having spent so much on your education?

    With their support, I am an architect today and I thank them for that. Maybe if they weren’t there for me, I would have dropped out of school. Today, I have a good education in my pocket and nobody can take that away from me. I thank God for my father because if it was just for my mother, I wouldn’t be part of Kush. She was really concerned about my welfare and comfort and all that when we go on tours.

    Overtime, she saw we were not wayward. And one day, I caught her boasting to a friend that her daughter was a member of Kush. That was when I began to really get their support and at the album launch of Kush, they sat at the front row. I shed tears of joy that day; I felt everything had paid off. It was really an emotional moment for me.

    How would you describe your music?

    I like to call my style urban inspirational. I like to infuse ethnicity into my songs because I feel music is deep when it is from within. It is got to be you with familiar sounds that evoke a lot of things.

    How do you revitalise your voice?

    A lot of rest and sleep. When I am not working, I have to sleep. Rest is not me not doing anything, but a peace of mind that I have peace around me.

    What is your opinion about the Afro hip-hop music that seems to be the rave of the moment now?

    I feel Nigerian music is beautiful in terms of the sound. Unfortunately, much of it seems to be lacking in depth and in content. We are the ones who push the mundane kind of music; we are also the ones who complain that this is what fills the airwaves. This happens because this is what we promote.

    When you go to a radio station for an example, they would tell you, “Sorry, we cannot play your song because you are gospel.” They would tell you that even on Sundays they have one hour for all the gospel songs. There is high level marginalisation in music too. Meanwhile, it costs a gospel artiste the same amount of money that it costs your highest paid secular artiste to produce a song and to shoot a video.

  • Lara George to launch album in Houston

    Lara George to launch album in Houston

    Multi-award winning Gospel artiste, Lara George is set to hold a live performance on Friday October 20, at the Dominion Chapel Stafford, Houston, Texas.

    According to information, the concert will also serve as an opportunity for the release of her new 15 track album; her fifth solo studio work- titled A Slice of Heaven.

    The singer, who recently released two tracks form the album; EyinLOba and Jesus You Reign, on September 4, celebrated her 13th wedding anniversary to her legal practitioner and music entrepreneur husband.

    The excited, mother of two who posted pictures of herself and hubby having a nice time together stated; “13 years today; happy wedding anniversary to us. Feels just like yesterday when we started out on this journey together. And I’m thankful. So thankful to God for love, life, family, and all. God knew in advance all that I needed, and chose to love me with the gift of you.”

    The graduate of the University of Lagos, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in Architecture Lara George, also former mate of the disbanded musical group Kush group is a gospel artiste whose work has touched lives worldwide.

  • Lara George celebrates 11yrs of marriage

    Lara George celebrates 11yrs of marriage

    RENOWNED Nigerian songstress, Lara George, who recently released two new singles, is in a joyful mood as she took to her Facebook account over the weekend to share with her fans how awesome God has been to her. It was all about the 11thanniversary of her marriage.

    “It’s been an amazing journey. Plenty highs and many lows, but here we are, still standing. It’s awesome; he even agreed to get in one of my videos. That was fun; Love Nwantintin. May all our days be full of sunshine and laughter. Happy 11 years of married life to us,” she posted.

    Lara George is a Nigerian gospel singer, songwriter and producer. A graduate of the University of Lagos with a Bachelor Degree in Architecture, she began her music career while still in school. She was a member of the disbanded musical group, Kush, made up of TY Bello, Dapo Torimiro and Emem Ema. She is married to Gbenga George, a legal practitioner and music entrepreneur.

    The couple is blessed with two kids.

  • Lara George releases new singles

    Lara George releases new singles

    GOSPEL music artiste, Lara George recently dropped two new singles: Oba Ogo and Imela. The singer declared that the songs are simply meant to worship her God. Lara renders praise, and worships her God in several languages with love and great joy.

    The singer, producer, and music director is a mother of two and was formerly a member of the award-winning female band KUSH, one of the earliest female gospel groups in Nigeria, before going solo. She is now an established gospel singer in her own right.

    An extremely talented singer with several awards under her belt; both as a member of KUSH, and as a solo artiste, Lara started her musical career in 2007, but released her first hit single Ijoba Orun in 2007.

  • Lara George releases new singles

    Lara George releases new singles

    Gospel music artiste, Lara George recently dropped two new singles: Oba Ogo, and Imela.

    The singer declared that the songs are simply meant to worship her God. She renders praise, and worships God in several languages with love, and great joy.

    The singer, producer, music director, and mother of two was formerly a member of the award-winning female band KUSH, one of the earliest female gospel groups in Nigeria, before going solo. She is now an established gospel singer in her own right.

    An extremely talented singer with several awards under her belt; both as a member of KUSH, and as a solo artiste, Lara started her musical career in 2007, but released her first hit single Ijoba Orun in 2007.

  • What I miss most about kush – Gospel singer Lara George

    What I miss most about kush – Gospel singer Lara George

    Talented gospel singer, Lara George, need no introduction in the Nigerian music industry. In this interview with OVWE MEDEME, she speaks on her 10-year-old marriage and her former group, KUSH, among other salient issues.

    YOU recently marked your 10th wedding anniversary; so, how has the journey been as a wife and mother?

    It has been amazing and very challenging because it will not be fair to tell only one side of the story and give people a false impression that everything has always been good. It has been very challenging, but it has also been beautiful overall. So, I am grateful to God.

    What challenges have you had to face?

    Basically, it has to do with understanding. You know, when you get married to somebody, for you to get to the point where you understand each other’s language is a big deal. It is a process and I am going through it every day, learning to understand my husband’s language, trying to get him to understand mine and reaching that place where we are constantly in agreement, so there can always be peace. For me, that is the summary of what the challenges are.

    Was it love at first sight?

    No, it wasn’t love at first sight at all. In fact, I actually didn’t really like him when I saw him, but we became friends. We met at work. We worked in the same office and that was how we became friends. I gradually got to know him. He wormed his way into my life and into my heart and I started to see a different side of him. When I started to get to know him, I realised that I had begun to like what I was seeing. When I found out that he was interested in me, I said, ‘okay, it may not be a bad idea.’ So, that is how it was.

    What was the attraction?

    I love the fact that he is a goal getter. He is not one of those people who sit down and just dream about things. He thinks something up and then he gets up and does it. That is a very beautiful quality. I like men who are driven, men who are ambitious and who actually do something about it. That, for me, is one quality that I would never trade for anything. He is also very jovial. He lights up a room when he walks into it. So, I said to myself that I could do with some sunshine in my life.

    How have you been celebrating the milestone?

    I am already celebrating with my music. We have shot a video to mark our 10th anniversary. We did a song, Love Nwantintin, for that. There is a full album to mark the anniversary too. It is a six-track EP that we released. For me, I want to share a story of love with people out there. I want to give people a picture that there is nothing God can’t do. Whatever it is that your marriage may be going through, it is possible for God to fix it and keep it going. Besides, I know it has only been 10 years. There are people out there who have been married for 30/40 years and I am hoping and aspiring that my marriage will be one of those that make it to those very nice big numbers.

    Music-wise, how has the journey been?

    It has been very interesting. For me, it has been a journey because I started off with a group. I used to be with the group, KUSH. When broke up, I started all over again. It has been a bit of a cycle for me. I’ve had my ups and downs. I had to go through this process. I’m still on my way back up, but I thank God that at least, the direction is upwards.

    At some point, it seemed you took a break from music…

    That was probably when I went away to have my baby. I have a two-year-old baby. When I was pregnant, I released an album. But obviously, when you are pregnant, you can’t do much promotion and you can’t be on stage as much either. So, for almost three years, I had to be off the scene. But that is one of the prizes you have to pay for keeping the family together. You want to make sure that the children are fine; you want to make sure that you are not leaving a two-month-old baby at home with a stranger to take care of.

    How did you manage the transition from being in a group to a solo artiste?

    I don’t know whether to say it was easy or difficult. It was just different and the transition just happened. It wasn’t something that I planned. The breakup wasn’t planned and my going solo was not planned either. That is part of the reasons I always say that God really has a plan for me with regards to the music I’m doing. This is because even when I tried to walk away from it, He kept on bringing the opportunities and the platform to keep on doing what I am doing.

    Is it right to say that while you were in the group, your other members were holding you back?

    It all depends on your perspective. I know for sure that the other members of KUSH are doing excellently well. One is a photographer to the Presidency; one of them is doing very well in the business of music and another one is a well sought-after producer in Hollywood; so, it all depends on the perspective. If you are looking at who does more things, in terms of music, you could say maybe that is me. But then, that’s my passion. It is what I have always loved to do and I think the forms of expression are different. When I was in KUSH, it was a particular kind of expression. Now, as a solo artiste, I have a different kind of expression. It is just different, so it doesn’t mean that one is better than the other.

    What do you miss most about the group?

    I miss the togetherness; I miss the energy of being on stage with three other people coupled with the laughter, the jokes and all of that.

    What will you give to bring KUSH back together?

    (Laughs) It will be nice, if the group comes back together, but it is not a do-or- die affair. I’m having a great life as it is. I love the fact that I am able to express myself, musically.

    Given the perception that gospel music is not commercially viable, why did you still opt for that genre?

    I just believe that this is what I’m meant to do. I’ve always called myself an inspirational artiste and I’ve always said that I want to do my kind of music in a different way. Sometimes, I’ve been criticised for it, but I am pretty much stuck with my style of music; and today, I see a lot of people trying to do the same. That is the reason I can release a song called Love Nwantintin or do a collabo with a secular artiste. That’s me. That’s the way I want to do my music. I want to be able to inspire people with the works that I do. They say gospel music is not commercially viable, but I beg to differ. I think that God has blessed me in a different kind of way. Though the challenges are still there, it is not as crazy as people say.

    What is next for Lara George?

    As I said, I just released Love Nwantintin as well as its video. There is actually a full album for that. It is available on all the major online stores and it will be available on the streets very soon. My fans can also look forward to a tour very soon. I am just keeping the Word going. Next year, I have a full album almost ready for release as well. There are tons of songs that I want people to hear.

    Could you recount that experience that made you want to throw in the towel?

    I’ve had so many. Sometimes, you get invited to a place and you are treated like a crap because you do gospel music. Yet, you see people who just started yesterday being given a whole lot of accolades and it makes you sit back and think. In fact, it makes you almost want to cry. Even in some churches, where you expect to be celebrated, the treatment is even worse than you would expect in non-church organisations. So, sometimes, when you face some of those kinds of experiences, it does make you feel a little bit sad.

    Are you saying gospel artistes are less appreciated?

    I think so. I do strongly believe so. Gospel artistes are definitely less appreciated than their secular counterparts; they are marginalised by the media most of the time and even by the church. So, it is almost like a lose-lose situation. As a gospel artiste, you have to literarily keep your eyes on Jesus; otherwise, if you are looking to any human being to validate you, you are in for another thing.