Renowned Nigerian gospel singer and songwriter, Dr. Panam Percy Paul, has made a startling revelation about turning down a record-breaking N7 billion (£24 million) record deal in 1995. According to him, the lucrative offer came with a major condition—he had to reduce the mention of Jesus in his songs, a demand he found unacceptable.
The legendary gospel artist, who has been an influential figure in Christian music for decades, made this revelation during an interview with Pastor Emmanuel Iren in August 2024. In the now-viral conversation, he recalled how the deal was presented to him at the peak of his career, a time when he had gained widespread recognition within and outside Nigeria for his soul-lifting worship songs.
Despite the enormous financial incentive, Panam Percy Paul chose to decline the offer outright. He explained that while the record label did not insist he abandon gospel music entirely, they requested that he limit the direct mention of Jesus Christ in his lyrics. Instead, they suggested he use alternative terms such as “Righteous One” or “Greatest Lover” to make his music more commercially appealing to a wider audience.
“The catch was, ‘Can you reduce the number of times you call the name Jesus in your songs?’ And there was more where this came from,” Paul recalled.
He further detailed how representatives from the record label assured him that the contract was only the beginning and that even greater financial opportunities would follow if he agreed to modify his lyrics. However, the condition struck at the core of his faith and calling, making it impossible for him to accept.
“One of them said to me, ‘You actually don’t need to mention the name Jesus. You can call Him other names like Righteous One or Greatest Lover.’”
Shocked by the demand, Paul firmly stood his ground and chose to remain true to his faith rather than compromise his message for financial gain.
“I was shocked, so I told them, ‘You can keep the money while I keep the name,’” he stated, emphasizing that his devotion to Jesus Christ was far more valuable than any amount of money offered to him.
His bold decision has reignited conversations about the commercialization of gospel music and the increasing pressures gospel artists face from the music industry. Paul expressed his concerns about how commercial interests have gradually begun to influence gospel music, shifting its focus from ministry to financial gain.
“Today, the extreme is that the music ministry has now become a music industry. The industry now dictates to the ministers what to do, how to sing, and when to sing,” he lamented, voicing his discontent with how spiritual integrity is often sacrificed for commercial success.
Paul’s stance has been met with admiration from Christians and gospel music enthusiasts who see his unwavering commitment as a testament to his faith and dedication to spreading the gospel without compromise. Many have praised him for staying true to his calling and refusing to let financial incentives influence his message.
Watch the video below …