I PLAY UNCONVENTIONAL GOSPEL MUSIC - GEE -THE PREACHER

By Simon Peters
He is a gospel artiste whose genre of music is a fusion of R&B, hip-hop, reggae and jazz. But Godwin Esebamen a.k.a. Gee The Preacher says, he plays 'unconventional gospel music. In this chat with Showtime,  he  talks about the release of his much awaited album.

Life and kind of music?
My names are Godwin E. Esebamen popularly known as Gee the Preacher. I hail from Edo State. I am  last child of family of nine. I attended Edo College in Benin and later proceeded to Yaba Technology, where I studied Civil Engineering at the Ordinary Diploma level.

I am an eclectic artiste, I'm into Jazz music, hip hop, R&B, Reggae, traditional, etc. I play the bass Guitar, keyboard and the drum set

Foray into Music?
My late mom was the leader of the traditional dance group in my home town. She was also a great singer. It runs in the family, I had always followed her because of my passion for music and I knew that one day, I would sing like her. I developed interest in music while growing up in the children department of my Church, the Church of God Mission, in Benin.

Gee The preacher
And from the children Choir, I graduated to the senior Choir in Faith Arena Christian Redeem Voices. So, it's a passion I've been nurturing for more than 20  years. When I relocated to Lagos,  I joined the Ikeja branch of Christ Embassy choir as a bassist.

But my journey into the world of music started in April, 2009, when I organised and  performed at shows. I am so passionate about music, it is my calling and it's my own way of passing the message to the world. That's why I'm called Gee the preacher.  Gee stands for Godwin and preacher is a messenger.

Do you have an album now?
Yes I do, 12 tracks album, but not in the market yet. Hopefully by God's grace, we are looking at the possibility of releasing the album into the market before the end of the year. As soon as I get a reputable   record label, we will push it into the market without further delay.

What genre of music do you do?
I do R&B, reggae, hip-hop, highlife, jazz. Call it unconventional gospel music.

Are you signed on with any record label ?
Not yet, but there are prospects
So, who funded your album project?
I had to sell my car and landed properties to generate fund with which I was able to execute my album project. I am the owner of Wrought Ornamental Plus Limited, we deal on interior/exterior decoration and construction. I intend to use the profit I will rake in from my business to fund the releasing of my  album as soon as possible.

Are you married at the moment?
No, but I'm hoping to marry soon as God blesses the work of my hands.

So, how have you been able to cope with the ladies around you?

Focus, my brother. I have focused on the Lord and my vision.

What do you want to be remembered for when you leave the music stage?

Well, musicians don't retire, rather we re-fire. I have an NGO, Gee -Logic Initiative, we are currently doing something with the SOS and certain percentage of my album proceeds will be going into that project.

What advice do you have for young artistes?
I would like them to be focused. They should not put financial rewards  ahead of hard work. Let them  just do good songs, loaded with good messages and strive to come out of their shells and God will bless your work with favour.