John Agoha is a singer, songwriter and model who was into secular music before transitioning to gospel music. He opens up to Vanessa Okwara how his foray into gospel music brought him to limelight.
Give us a brief background of yourself
John Agoha is a singer, songwriter and model who has been into secular music before for over ten years and was sighed under Chaka Record, Music Africa. His stage name is Agoha.
Agoha was the first runner-up at Star Quest in 2006 and also the first runner-up music, Jamboree South Africa 2007. Agoha has performed in a lot of Nigeria big shows such as AY Live, Nigeria Music Video Award NMVA, IGOS Live, Oga Madam Show, Yaw Shalage, Diamond Bank Award, etc.
Agoha changed from secular to gospel. His first gospel song is titled ‘Jahova’ which became a very big hit all over the world, John Agoha just came out with a new video and song title ‘Eledumare’, both videos are directed by Matt max one of the biggest Nigeria’s video director. Agoha is from Imo State and was born in Benin City and was also a student of University of Benin. My Instagram handle is: agohamusic. John Agoha is dropping a new hit song ‘MBOMBO’.
What was growing up like and when did you discover you had talent for singing?
I was a church boy that likes to sing in the church and on the street of Benin City. My mum was not letting me play with other kid’s that is why they were a lot of things that kids did during that time I did not do because I’m always at the church.
You first started with secular music, tell us a bit about it; also mention the songs you released and how it was received by the public?
I discovered my talent very early in life at the age of ten. I was singing in the baby choir when I wrote my first song; I am a blessed child. When I entered University of Benin, a friend of my told me about Star Quest, I had to apply for it. I went for the addition in Benin. Out of five thousand people that came, I was the only singer that was taken.
I started with secular because after Star Quest I was looking for a label to sign me. Someone told me about Philip Trimnell, the CEO of Music Africa. That day he told the guy to bring me to his office in Surulere, when I got there I saw a lot of artists that came, so he asked me to sing and I did. He told the rest to go, that this is what he wanted. He now called Jahborn, to come and produce me, he came and we recorded my first single, ‘Omalicha’. The other secular songs are: ‘Omalicha’. ‘Selense’, ‘Flying Flying’, ‘Go Down’, ‘Chokomilo’ with Dammy Krane.
Why did you transition to gospel music?
I have always been a gospel singer. Even when I was doing secular, I was still singing in the church but one day, my boss called me that someone told him that I will do better in gospel, and a lot of pastors were calling me at that time. That God told them I should change to gospel.
So one night, I was sitting alone outside, when a song came to me, ‘Jehovah’. I started singing it, the next morning the same song hit me again, I went to the studio to go see my producer Joe, I sang the song for him, he was like, Agoha, this is a hit. So one day, Yaw in Wazobia FM called me for an interview on his program on my song I did with Dammy Krane, ‘Chokomilo’, so he played the song. I told him bro, there is one song I just did ‘Jehovah’, can you just play it? As he played it, a lot of calls kept coming in. That was how I changed to gospel music and went to see director, Mattmax to shoot the video.
Is gospel music better for you than secular music financially?
Gospel music is better and sweeter for me than secular. God is blessing me with my gospel music.
In your opinion, why do you think those in the secular music are more popular than those doing gospel music?
Those in secular music are not more popular. This is because gospel artists play shows from Monday to Monday. But you know they would love secular because of the native things they say. We sing about Jesus, nothing in this world that is more popular than Jesus. So we are more popular.
How lucrative is gospel music generally?
There is so much grace in gospel music; we bless life’s everyday with our music. We get things free. Things we do not work for. The grace is too much; it is highly lucrative.
Mention some of your gospel songs that brought you to limelight?
They are: ‘Jehovah’, Eledumare’, ‘Ebube’, ‘Flying Flying’; ‘He lives’, ‘Chukuidimmma’, ‘Praise Him’.
Are you in a relationship?
I am trusting God for a wife.
Describe your fashion style?
I love to look good and very classic. I don’t like to copy anyone.
Who are those that you look up to in the gospel music world?
I love Tasha Cobbs Leonard, I love her vocal power. Donnie Maclurkin, I just love the grace he carries around in his music. I love Sinach, that song ‘Way Maker’, that song keeps blessing me every day.
What are the qualities you are looking for in a woman for marriage?
I am looking for a woman that loves God, a woman that can pray because when you have a prayer warrior as a wife, you can never go down. I am not carried away with physical beauty. I want woman that will believe in my ministry as a music minister.
How do you get inspiration for your songs?
I get my inspiration from the Holy Spirit most times when am working out in the morning, or when am alone. Most times when I’m really depressed, that is why my gospel songs are not like the others you hear out there.
Describe yourself in five words.
I’m special; I have a loving heart, unique and talented. I love to be real.
