Ric Hassani: Why Gospel Artists Switch to Secular Music

Nigerian singer Ric Hassani has shed light on why some gospel musicians transition to secular music, stating it’s often driven by a deeper sense of purpose rather than financial gain.

In an interview with Hip TV, Hassani, who began his musical journey in the church, said he realized early on that gospel ministration was not his true calling. According to him, gospel music goes beyond vocal ability—it requires a divine gift to convey spiritual messages through music.

He said, “You need to be spiritually gifted to minister through gospel music. Not everyone can deliver God’s word through song like CeCe Winans. Some of us are meant to make an impact in the world through other forms of music.”

Hassani emphasized that while he includes gospel tracks in each of his albums and is a devout Christian, his mission lies outside church music.

He also refuted the idea that musicians leave gospel for secular music out of financial desperation. Citing prominent artists like Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Davido—who are wealthy but still actively creating—he argued that true satisfaction in music comes from creative expression, not money.

“It’s not about the money. It’s about the joy of creating something meaningful,” Hassani concluded.