Veteran gospel singer Dr. Panam Percy Paul recently opened up about a defining moment in his career when he chose faith over fortune.
During a conversation with Pastor Emmanuel Iren, the singer shared how, back in 1995, he was offered a massive three-year contract worth £24 million — a staggering amount at the time. However, there was one catch: he was asked to reduce how often he mentioned “Jesus” in his songs.
According to him, the record label suggested using alternative titles like “Righteous One” or “Greatest Lover” instead. Shocked by the request, Paul didn’t hesitate to turn down the deal, firmly stating that no sum of money could make him compromise his message.
Reflecting on the experience, he said, “I was at the height of success in my ministry. They offered me £24 million, which was around ₦7 billion then. I simply told them to keep their money while I kept the name.”
He also expressed his concern over how the music scene has changed, with industry demands often overshadowing the message. He noted that marketers and record labels now influence how artists create their songs, shifting the focus from ministry to business.
In his words, “Music ministry has become a music industry where marketers and record labels dictate what to do, how to sing, and even when to sing.”
