Dr. Paul Enenche Criticises Afrobeats, Calls for More Youth-Focused Gospel Music
Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr. Paul Enenche, has sparked conversations after criticising the Afrobeats genre, describing many of its songs as lacking meaningful lyrics and having a negative influence on young people.
Speaking during the church's Mid-year Worship Concert, the cleric urged gospel musicians to create more energetic and relatable songs that would appeal to younger audiences while promoting positive values.
Announcing plans for a Youth Fire Night scheduled for September 25, Dr. Enenche encouraged gospel artistes, including Prinx Emmanuel and other young music ministers, to prepare for the event.
According to him, gospel music should serve as a powerful alternative to what he considers the harmful messages often found in mainstream secular music.
"It is better to have music that is saying something that youth is hearing than the garbage that worldly musicians sing," he said.
The pastor went further to criticise parts of the Afrobeats industry, alleging that some artistes glorify unhealthy lifestyles and negatively influence their listeners.
"Most of those Afrobeats are just saying rubbish. Smoking Indian hemp while they are singing and influencing the youths in negative ways.
"By the time you have this positive replacement for such garbage, then your life cannot follow such a direction.
"And I trust that in time to come, more of this energetic Gospel music will be very word-loaded to disciple you, show you steps to take, how to stay away from negative friends, how to make the right decisions and so on."
His remarks have added to the ongoing debate about the influence of music on society, particularly among young people. While Afrobeats has become one of Africa's biggest cultural exports, it has also faced criticism from some religious and social commentators over the themes portrayed in certain songs.
Opinion
Dr. Paul Enenche's comments highlight an important discussion about the role music plays in shaping attitudes and behaviour. While it is true that some Afrobeats songs contain lyrics that promote materialism, substance use or other controversial themes, it is equally important to recognise that the genre is incredibly diverse.
Many Afrobeats artistes use their music to address social issues, celebrate African culture, inspire resilience and promote positive messages. Generalising the entire genre risks overlooking the creativity and meaningful contributions of numerous musicians.
Rather than framing it as a battle between gospel music and Afrobeats, the more constructive conversation may be about encouraging artists across all genres to produce content that entertains while also promoting values that positively influence society. Both gospel music and Afrobeats have the power to inspire—what ultimately matters is the message each song carries.
