Why My latest Gospel Song, ‘Mu Na Chi M’ is So Special- Tessy Aniesi

Mrs Tessy Aniesi considers herself a revolutionary gospel artist with a knack for producing songs with a blend of highlife and Afropop flavour. Tessytop, as she is fondly called, in this exclusive interview with Olisemeka Sony, talk about her latest hit track, ‘Mu Na Chi M’, her experience as a gospel singer of over 16 years and the changes in the industry, among others. Excerpts:

You titled your latest song ‘Muna Chi M. Can you provide the background to that track?

Well, my latest gospel song, ‘Mu Na Chi M’ resonates from my life relationship with God.

As you may know, ‘Mu na Chi M’ is an Igbo phrase that can be loosely translated as ‘Me and my God’.

In my own case, it is a special song that captures the divine presence in my life and daily experiences.

It’s very now very difficult to make headway in our society without divine intervention.

The grace available for me through the struggle to achieve personal goals and dreams in life, especially when the environment wants you to do certain things to attain certain levels or achieve certain goals at a particular time, to suit whatever they imagine should be the norm in society.

Stakeholders Ranging from what we call “blow” in the entertainment industry to family and economic conditions is why I’m singing the splendour of God’s presence in ‘Mu Na Chi M’ song.

So far, I’m not yielding to any societal pressures and yet things working out so well and in peace, without soiling my hands in what is not in line with my Chi and destiny.

I found the best answer to the pressure which is, ‘Onye Chi Mere Eze, Ga abụ Eze’. Whomever God has made great must be great. That’s the background of this track.

What makes this song different from other gospel songs with similar messages?

This song stands out from other songs we call gospel which in actual sense is Christian songs because it cuts across religion.

It’s an Igbo spiritual song that depicts nature and divinity and has no boundaries.

Every religion on earth agrees to this philosophy of God’s omnipresence in our lives hence, this song cuts across religion and social gatherings wherever there is a need for a gospel song that is not limited to any societal fashion.

In addition, this song was produced having in mind the need to send a spiritual message, laced with the Igbo sound signatures that ring bells to industry and listening ears. Hence the infusion of different sounds.

You seem to have fallen in love with Afro-pop and the highlife brand of the gospel. Why?

Yes, that’s true and real. I started with genres that resonate with Churches alone and they are very good too but highlife is indigenous to me so I naturally express my thoughts and inspirations through it.

Afro-pop, on the other hand, happened to me as an African woman and I love it in particular. And the beautiful thing in this musical project is that you can transit from one genre to another and still maintain the gospel message.

Just like featuring raps, blues, soul, Ariaria, jazz, Reggae, metal and others, in gospel messages.

And don’t forget, Afro-pop is global now. So, I’m taking the gospel creativity to the highest level through highlife and afro-pop.

You have been in this industry for over a decade. How would you appraise the impact of ICT on gospel music in Nigeria?

Actually, I’ve been in the industry since December 2005, thanks to my brother, Ogechukwu Ekwenze (Sacred Nebu) who provided me with the necessary support I needed to fulfil my dream.

In the last 16 years that I have been here, we have witnessed quite tremendous changes.

Most importantly, I must admit that information Communication Technology, ICT has had a positive impact on gospel music in Nigeria.

Gospel artists who really want to fly, now have every tool to position themselves and their contents to the global audience, though it requires funds to achieve that.

But even without the large fund, it’s easier today for musicians to position themselves and reach a global audience depending on their target.

The new communication technologies has made it possible for those who wants to take gospel outside the church to have the enablement.

The era of selling songs on CD plates have gone, yet the issue of piracy continues to resonate. What’s your personal experience on copyrights and revenues from your works?
The truth remains that CDs are still selling, though only few people still go to market and buy it.

Majority of listeners get their songs online or through download.

However, despite this remarkable shift in technology, the issue of piracy continues to resonate because of a lack of knowledge on the side of artists and what they prioritize.

The good news is that there are genuine platforms where artists can sell their products and get value for their works.

For instance, Web-street is an organized street at the palm of your hands with the right information and working with the right people and registering with organizations that have amassed the strength to have usage of your intellectual property be accounted for distribution and royalties’ collection societies are there to help.

On my personal experience on copyrights and revenues from my works, lately, it’s been so rewarding because my content distributors always send me monthly reports on the internet usage of my content even on platforms where I didn’t sign up, locations I’ve never been before, with institutions I’ve never know.

They collect my revenues because my works are globally registered and the companies are ahead on web spaces. I will say that I’m happy with the turn of events.

From your perspective, what are the major challenges facing gospel artists of this generation?

Well, the challenges facing Christian gospel artists in Nigeria are enormous. And it ranges from lack of funding to the usual stereotype in Christendom and needs to fit into what churches want which most times have been done by existing artists.

So, those artists trying to do something new and different seems like rebel or non-conformity.

However, in general, most gospel artists face the basic challenges of hard work, funding, and time.

Time in the sense that there are natural principles that demand that you start building from the bottom, then climb steps, fail, and rise before getting to a certain height.

Then, there is hardly any corporate support for gospel artists, unlike those in the mainstream sector that can land endorsements or sign mega deals with certain institutions.

I pray that someday, they will realize that gospel artists are as popular and relevant in promotional campaigns as those secular artists.

Who is your mentor in the gospel music world?

Truth is I actually have no mentor right now, but I have a collection of people I see as role models worthy of emulation whose music and business acumen have inspired me a lot.

The likes of Alicia Keys, Rihanna, Burna boy, Angélique Joe, Mary J. Blige and couple of others have inspired me.

My lessons from them don’t depend on their lyrics but their business model in the entertainment industry.

I choose these sets at this stage because, I’ve mastered my arts according what content to put out and the intention.

The stage I am now is climbing the ladder of business revenues related to music works and my brand.

What message are you trying to pass through this latest song, Muna Chim so?

The messages are all about, diligence in work and not giving up or giving in to pressures against the orderliness of your spirit man because there is time for rewards after work.

The problem we have at the moment is that many people no longer devote themselves to the task of honest, diligent and dedication to work.

They just want to achieve fame and fortune overnight. It does not work like that. There is a time to plant or sow, tend to the crops as they grow, uproot the weeds as they grow before the crops are ripe for harvest.

I believe that once you have done your best, at the appointed time, you will begin to eat the fruits of your labour.

God never forsake those who believes and trusts in Him and walk in his righteousness.

That’s the message we are sending through this song. And It’s based on my personal experience.

That is why the song means a lot to me. My prayer is that those who listen to it will find the right connection to it and not just enjoy the rhythm.

Where can people get this song?

They are in all global digital stores like Spotify, apple Music, Deezer, Boomplay, Tidal, Amazon, YouTube and YouTube Music, Soundcloud, Audiomack, Reverbnation and couple of other streaming and selling sites.

They can also get it through my social media handles @tessyaniesi