Ever controversial Lanre Teriba, popularly known as Atorise, is the first gospel singer to become the Vice President of Performing Musician Association of Nigeria (PMAN). The Chief Executive Officer of LTEE Records, which he recently set up to promote up and coming artistes, spoke with Senior Reporter Anthonia Soyingbe recently on his many controversies, his life as a gospel artistes and he opened up on his new projects.
The name, Lanre Teriba, is synonymous with controversies. Is it that you engage in controversial acts just to gain more popularity?
Are all these controversies not affecting your relationship with your fans and clients?I believe strongly that when you are on top, you automatically become a topic. I don’t know those behind the many dirty stories about my person. Initially when it all started I often feel bad but now, I am use to it and I don’t really care what they say in as much as I am in right standing with God. I expect more of the many negative stories because I don’t really care about the hearsays. My job and my personality will always speak for me. Controversies often bring out the best in me and oil my wheel of creativity. I am just a vessel who preaches about Christ but people expect me to be perfect because I am a gospel artistes. I can never be perfect but I will continue to aspire to be perfect just like Jesus Christ is perfect.
Jesus knows me and I know him, every other thing to me is secondary and inconsequential.
There was a time you sang of retracing your steps to God…
(Cuts in) I don’t sing about myself and none of my songs is about me. God directs and he fills my mouth anytime I want to compose any song. I don’t know where it comes from all I know is that God loves me and I won’t disappoint him. There are lots of people who have gone astray, God is still using that song to bring back the lost sheep. It is not about me but about God who sent me. All my lyrics are beyond me and they are coming from God. Anytime I open my mouth, he fills it with his songs.
You just spoke with a woman on phone. Is she one of the women in your life?
You just heard me spoke with my wife who doesn’t like to be in the limelight and I want to respect her wish by not discussing her on the pages of newspapers. She has heard many things about me but she is a virtuous woman who so much believe in me. But you don’t have more than five children. Or do you have more than that?
I don’t like discussing my family in the newspaper. So, I won’t answer your question.
Are you still a gospel artiste?
I can never stop being a gospel artiste. Many people think that you shouldn’t have a life because you are a gospel artiste. I have a life. I am not Jesus, neither am I a saint. I am human, just like every other person. I sing gospel because that is my calling and I don’t have any regrets being a gospel singer.
Why is it that gospel artiste like you can’t come out to rebuild the gospel music industry through Gospel Musicians Association of Nigeria (GOMAN)?
We are working very hard to uplift gospel artistes in Nigeria through GOMAN. Churches and even companies are not encouraging gospel artistes in Nigeria. How many gospel artistes are endorsed as brand ambassadors in Nigeria? We have lots of challenges and all we are doing now is to beg our people to encourage us. We also have bills to pay. They endorse secular artistes thereby making us to feel as if we are not doing the right thing. I often feel bad about these. Churches also expect us to come and perform for them free of charge. But, some of the big churches invite gospel artistes from outside the shore of Nigeria whenever they have events, thereby portraying us like nonentities. They don’t tell foreign artistes to perform in their churches for free. They should encourage those of us that sing about God, either Muslims or Christians. They should encourage us instead of mocking us or focusing on our mistakes. I do my own little thing to support other gospel artistes. It is unfortunate that most of our pastors and church leaders don’t believe in us, if they believe in us they will appreciate us.
What should your fans expect from you now?
I just released an album. So far, to the glory of God, I have released 13 albums.
Just like other musicians, you recently set up LTEE records. Is this to swell up your bank account?
Those who know me very well will tell you that money is never a motivating factor for me, because, I believe in human development. I set up the label basically for budding gospel singers, both Islam and Christians. I want to help develop talents for those who want to toe this line. I believe that there is only one God and we are all calling on the one big God in different forms. I am also planning on setting up a TV station called One God. I just got the licence for my radio station. These projects are so dear to me.
Who is financing these capital intensive projects?
God is big enough to finance His projects; He can even raise stones to finance the project. I rehearse a lot and I charge whenever I am called upon to perform anywhere.
You were highly criticised by many people for performing at night clubs…
(Cuts in) I am the first gospel artiste to take God’s message of liberation and deliverance through songs to night clubs. I don’t see anything wrong in it, but it is all to the glory of God. I just want people to know that whatever they can enjoy out there, they can enjoy it with God. I perform at parties and I also encourage many gospel artistes to play in parties so they can make a living for themselves.