Aduke Odeniyi speaks on new single, ‘Mercy’

A  gospel singer, Aduke Odeniyi, has said that her latest single titled, ‘Mercy’, was inspired by the story of blind Bartimaeus in the Bible calling out to Jesus for mercy. According to her, the world “needs God’s mercy now more than ever”.

On the message she wants listeners to take away from the song, the singer said, “God’s mercy is available to everyone who seeks it. In this era of spiritual decay, moral confusion, global conflicts and personal struggles, we need His mercy more than ever. The Bible emphasises that seeking God’s mercy helps us navigate trials, find forgiveness and restore hope.

“We also need God’s mercy for forgiveness and cleansing in moral challenges, renewal and hope, societal and spiritual healing, escape from eternal judgment, clarity and peace amidst confusion and conflict. God’s mercy is our lifeline, offering hope, forgiveness and strength to overcome the challenges of our time.”

The singer who has released songs such as ‘I Dance’, ‘Mould Me’, ‘We Worship You’, ‘Eru Kosi’, ‘Nagode’ and ‘Light of Life’, among others, noted that challenges she faces at this stage of her career include building a team, managing collaborations, finding reliable producers, and accessing guidance and mentorship from seasoned gospel artistes.

She added, “The gospel music space can be crowded, making it challenging to stand out. Also, starting a ministry requires resources for recording, promotion and equipment, which can be expensive.”

Odeniyi also called for more collaboration among gospel singers, saying, “I would love to see more collaborations between top gospel artistes and the up-and-coming ones. Such unity in ministry would be inspiring and impactful. I pray that these kinds of collaborations become a reality.”

Reacting to people who believe that gospel artistes do not have as much depth as their older colleagues, the singer said, “The opinion that gospel artistes today lack the depth of the past may stem from differences in style, focus or audience expectations. However, depth in gospel music is not necessarily about the era but about the message, the anointing and the artiste’s relationship with God.

“Gospel music evolves with time, reflecting new expressions challenges and ways to reach people. While some artistes may focus on a contemporary or simplified approach to appeal to broader audiences, many still produce music deeply rooted in scripture, prayer and spiritual experience.”