CAN GOSPEL SINGERS/ARTISTS BE BOLD? DOES GOSPEL HAVE TO MAKE PROFIT?

CAN GOSPEL SINGERS/ARTISTS BE BOLD?

DOES GOSPEL HAVE TO MAKE PROFIT?

Nothing against the Prince of Brazilian POP Gospel Paulo Neto, but do you realize how 'doctrines' change?

 

Not long ago, Thalles Roberto (who I don't like) was criticized for doing 'strange things' on stage. Several gospel artists made videos and long texts criticizing him.

 

In the 80s and 90s, Marina de Oliveira (Gospel Madonna) was harshly criticized for 'daring' on stage (choreographing, changing her outfits, etc).

 

Then some worshipper from a black-walled church comes along and says, 'But you don't know what's going on in his heart!' My friend, if any gospel artist did this in the 80s, they would be canceled, their sales would plummet, they wouldn't be invited to sing in churches anymore, and their songs wouldn't be played on the radio anymore. Even haircuts were criticized and seen as heresy. [The artist Marina de Oliveira only didn't stop singing at the time because she was/is simply the daughter of the record label owner.]

 

In short: TIME GOES BY AND THINGS CAN CHANGE A LOT. What was considered 'sin' in the past changes over the years, over generations, according to the public's availability, and according to the interests of those 'in power.' [Yes! In the church, there are also 'owners,' 'sugar mills,' 'feudal lords,' 'slaves,' 'land,' 'possessions.' In the church, there is also hierarchy. In the church, there is also 'He who can command, he who has sense obeys!']

 

And that's okay!

 

*This text is not a criticism of 'gospel boldness' or any artist. After all, if I were a gospel singer (as I once wished), I would do the same or 'worse' [lol].

 

**As I always say, the Gospel Market is a market like any other, with likes, views, engagement, and, consequently, profit as its objectives. In the past, the goal was to sell LPs, CDs, VHSs, and DVDs. 'It wasn't like that in the past!' My friend, let's stop being naive. It's always been this way, but today we have access to this information. Do you think Feliciano Amaral, Vencedores por Cristo, Grupo Prisma, Mara Dalila, etc., would have recorded more than 50 albums if they sold little and/or held few events? Do you think the major record labels of the time (such as Bompastor, Doce Harmonia, Bandeira Branca, Som Evangélico, etc.) weren't profit-oriented (no matter how small)? Why do you think MK Music (Publicitá) is still open today? Why do you think Line Records closed? It's all about the market!

 

Rio de Janeiro, September 25th, 2025

Raphael Paiva