Renowned gospel singer Panam Percy Paul has disclosed that he turned down a highly lucrative £24 million record deal in 1995 because it conflicted with his Christian beliefs.
During a recent conversation with Nigerian pastor Emmanuel Iren, the veteran musician recounted being offered a three-year contract, which at the time was equivalent to approximately ₦7 billion. However, the deal came with a condition that challenged his faith.
“Keep the Money, I’ll Keep the Name”
According to Paul, the record label executives asked him to minimize the mention of the name ‘Jesus’ in his songs, suggesting alternative phrases such as “Righteous One” or “Greatest Lover” instead.
“In 1995, at the peak of my ministry and success in the industry, I was offered £24 million for a three-year contract. The catch was: ‘Can you reduce the number of times you mention the name Jesus in your songs?’
And there was more where that came from. One of them said to me, ‘You don’t actually need to mention the name Jesus. You can use other names like Righteous One or Greatest Lover.’
I was shocked. So I told them, ‘You can keep the money, while I keep the name.’”
Concerns Over the Changing Gospel Music Landscape
Paul also reflected on how the gospel music scene has evolved over the years, lamenting the shift from a music ministry to a music industry, where commercial interests increasingly influence artistic and spiritual direction.
“Today, the extreme is that music ministry has now become a music industry. The industry now dictates to ministers what to do, how to sing, and when to sing. For example, it was the marketers in Alaba that encouraged musicians to add ‘tongues’ to their songs.”
Panam Percy Paul remains a revered figure in gospel music, known for his unwavering faith and dedication to his calling. His revelation has sparked discussions about the balance between faith and commercial success in the gospel music industry.
