Nigerian singer and songwriter Johnny Drille has shared his thoughts on the intersection between faith and music, explaining why his art doesn’t strictly fit into the traditional church space.
Speaking on a recent episode of the CreativiTEA Podcast, the Mavin Records artist said that while he deeply loves God and remains active in his church community, he has never seen his music as limited to gospel or ministry.
“I love God and I’m very much involved in church, but I never really felt my music was for church,” he said. “Sometimes I get invited to perform in church, which is quite interesting.”
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The “How Are You (My Friend)” crooner also addressed the backlash he has occasionally received from members of the Christian community for performing in religious settings despite not being a gospel artist.
“I’ve gotten some backlash from the Christian community whenever I perform in churches,” he said. “But the truth is, my music spreads positivity. It touches the issues the church tries to avoid.”
Johnny Drille, who is known for his emotional storytelling and soulful approach to love and life, said his songs are rooted in values that align with faith, love, kindness, honesty, and hope, even if they aren’t explicitly religious.
He further argued that the church often avoids conversations about love, a theme he believes is both essential and spiritual.
“The church shies away from talking about love,” he continued. “You go to Christian weddings and you hear Davido or Wizkid songs. What if the church decides that we want to start doing their own Christian love songs?”
Johnny Drille emphasized that his mission as an artist is not to conform to labels but to inspire and uplift through music that reflects real human experiences.
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Since signing with Mavin Records, the singer has carved a niche for himself with songs that blend folk, soul, and Afropop influences, earning praise for his sincerity and originality.
Through his evolving artistry, Johnny Drille continues to bridge the gap between faith and creativity, showing that music rooted in love and truth can still glorify God, even beyond the walls of the church.
