Psalm Ebube is not just a musician; he’s also a young man with a heart of gold. The gospel artiste, who is passionate about the plight of widows, orphans and vulnerable children, released a peace song in 2015 and has now dropped a new one entitled, ‘One Love One World’.
In this chat, Ebube speaks about his new single, NGO and why he’s so passionate about global peace and love. Enjoy it.
What have you been up to lately?
After the release of my call-to-worship album, I became involved in the issues of peace and unity, so I founded Psalm Ebube Peace Foundation (PEPF), a not for profit organisation with the sole intent of touching lives and empowering people, mostly orphaned youths, women and vulnerable children in West Africa. With the increasing conflict, hunger and under-development in West Africa, I want to occupy that space and serve as an intermediary between individuals and organisations, providing medical and emotional care for the widows.
I have come up with viable programmes that will be run and maintained from the grassroots level in West Africa such as villages and local government areas. It’s a monthly programme to tackle child hunger in West Africa and provide access to healthcare, distribution of mosquito nets to the orphanage homes by reducing the likelihood that children will have to go through fighting malaria and germs.
What really inspired your new song, One Love One World?
It comes from God’s word, ‘follow peace with all men’. These words have always inspired me to write songs. I have seen situations change, and hopeless people have a reason to live and enjoy life through God’s word. My life is a testimony that one can achieve anything and become anything. Music is a powerful medium that has been used to foster patriotism, promote religion and inspire love, so I thought of using the universal language of music to permeate our culture, with aspirations for humanity, unity, peace, love, tolerance and brotherhood.
Knowing fully well that music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, and flight to imagination and life. It keeps striking a chord in my heart after several visits to the northern part of Nigeria, orphanages within the states and West Africa as a whole, and I was left with a strong urge to speak the voice of the children affected by Boko Haram and I’m so concerned for people facing conflict and violence. Just as mob violence is created by a critical mass of angry people with angry thoughts, peace can be created by a critical mass of people focusing on peaceful thoughts. That is what the song hopes to achieve.
One Love One World recognised the necessity of bringing the world together to renew our commitment to humanity and to work better and smarter to meet humanitarian needs. It is more than a song of financial pledges; rather it’s meant to be a song of actions to change the way the international community operates, so we better deliver people suffering from horrific forces beyond their control.
Today, one out of four children lives in a country grappling with humanitarian crisis. I wrote this song to help millions of children forced out of school because of emergencies and protracted crises to have the opportunity of getting education.
For how long have you nurtured the idea of One Love One World?
I feel passionate about songs for peace and humanity. Since the idea first came to me six months ago, it has never left my mind. I sincerely feel that by joining with fellow musicians and other peace-loving international artistes, we can make the remix of ‘One Love One World’ song for humanity and peace a reality. I believe together we can make a difference; together we can create world peace. The song featured Asikey and we hope to have every other artiste on the remix soon. It took me eight months to compose and finish recording the song.
Why did you bring Asikey to collabo on the song?
Initially, my plan was to make the song an all-star song. But at the time the song was still in the production phase in the studio, my producer, Mikkyme was also working with Asikey on her new single, ‘We’, which would be released soon. Asikey is a Nigerian alternative artist and guitarist signed to Pendulum Records.
The original plan for the bridge of the song was to feature 2face but he was yet to be contacted and I suggested Asikey should take the bridge and she brought a new soul and depth to the song. I expect the song to help foster global consciousness about the fragility and beauty in the wholeness of the human creation and hence the need to cherish this beauty in diversity and deliberately strive to sustain that which binds us as one. ‘One Love One World’ aims to get innovative partnership and support of the global agency, UNICEF.
Was it the success of the peace song that emboldened you to do the new song?
I am always overwhelmed when I hear so many people around the world tell me that I inspire them in so many ways. I have seen miracles take place through my songs and I give God all the glory. I am always thankful that God has given me the opportunity to reach millions of people with my music. I make wholesome songs that encourage people in their relationship with God.
How is married life?
Cool. I am married to the most beautiful woman in the world, Funmilola Akinyemi, and it’s been almost two years of marital bliss. For me and my wife, love is not only about feelings and words but also actions. Love is a verb, isn’t it? Well, again, we have to be grateful to God for His blessings on our union. She’s a patient one. She’ll always find a way to solve problems with her calmness.
What are your thoughts on trends in gospel music?
A lot of people are singing gospel music lately because they want to be inspired. The trend ‘true worship’ is God-centered worship. People tend to get caught up in where they should worship, what music they should sing in worship, and how their worship looks to other people. Focusing on these things misses the point. Jesus tells us that true worshipers will worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). This means we worship from the heart and the way God has designed. Worship can include praying, reading God’s word with an open heart, singing, participating in communion, and serving others. It is not limited to one act, but is done properly when the heart and attitude of the person are in the right place.
Do you think the patronage of gospel music has gone up than before?
Yes, it is so obvious because a lot of people are singing gospel music lately because they want to be inspired. People are tired of listening to the wrong music. They want the right music to lift them when they are down. For instance, I have heard someone said to me, ‘I listen to your music whenever I am down, most times I start my day with the help of your music’.
When are we expecting another hit like Kabiosi?
Every bit of my songs has substance that any listener can take valuable substance from. The power to make hits is in God’s hand, and ability for one to promote His product is key, so my work is not based on the commercial aspect alone, my interest is passing the good news across to listeners all around the world, my sole aim is to affect lives.
What’s your advice to the up and coming artistes?
They would need a lot of patience. They have to go through the process of planting, endure and do music overtime before reaping the fruits. They must have true passion and courage, acquire experience and build their fan base. They must also be faithful in building relationships with people, and the media. And above all, put God first.
