Afrobeats artist Spyro has openly discussed the challenges he faces as a public advocate of Jesus Christ in the Nigerian music industry, shedding light on the discrimination and lack of support he has encountered. The artist, who has chosen to openly declare his faith through his ‘Jesus Boy’ brand, shared his experience during an interview with Echo Room, highlighting the struggles of being a Christian artist in an industry where many are reluctant to support faith-driven music and brands.
In the candid interview, Spyro recalled receiving advice from R&B singer-turned-pastor Banky W, who shared his own struggles within the industry after publicly declaring his Christian faith. Banky W, who is also the founder of EME Records, reportedly told Spyro that his career difficulties began as soon as he made the decision to embrace Christianity and openly profess his beliefs.
Spyro elaborated, “My biggest challenge in the music industry right now is discrimination. I came out with the ‘Jesus boy’ brand, and I’ve received the biggest criticisms.” The singer, who is known for his unique blend of Afrobeats with spiritual themes, expressed his frustration with the lack of support from influential media figures. He pointed out that many media moguls intentionally avoid posting or promoting his music despite his efforts, while they continue to support other artists in the industry.
“If you want to be truthful to yourself, how many media moguls support or post me when I drop songs? You see them posting other artists. Apart from the blogs I paid to post me, how many media moguls post me?” he questioned. Spyro believes that the industry's resistance to his success is directly tied to his outspoken faith, particularly after adopting the ‘Jesus Boy’ persona that has led him to face harsh criticism from some corners of the entertainment world.
“Once you come out and declare Christ publicly, you enter a war. It’s like the whole system is designed to pull you down,” he stated, emphasizing how challenging it can be to remain true to one's faith in an industry where secular and mainstream music often dominates the scene. His experience echoes the struggles of many other Christian artists who face similar obstacles when choosing to prioritize their faith in a highly competitive field.
Declaring Jesus Christ affected Banky W
Corroborating his own experience, Spyro shared an insightful conversation with Banky W, who also faced significant struggles within the industry after publicly declaring his Christian beliefs. According to Spyro, Banky W revealed that his problems began the moment he chose to publicly embrace Christianity. Spyro recalled Banky W saying, “When I was a ‘bad boy,’ everything was going well, but immediately I decided to do it in a godly way, war started.”
Banky W’s experience mirrors Spyro’s current challenges, showing how both artists have faced pushback from the industry despite their success and influence. Their shared stories of resistance highlight the difficulties many artists face when balancing personal faith and professional aspirations in an industry that may not always be supportive of religious expression. Spyro's openness about these struggles serves as a powerful reminder of the challenges many Christian entertainers face, striving to remain true to their beliefs in an often secular world.
