Uche Agu is probably less known by his real name but when you mention Uche of Double Double fame, the gospel artiste based in South Africa; his name is like a wild fire; he is not just a gospel musician but a preacher of the gospel who delights in seeing souls saved for Jesus Christ through his musical shows. He was recently in Amsterdam and the Voice magazine couldn’t allow him pass bye without speaking to us for our reading audience. One on one with Pastor Uche ‘Double Double’ Agu. TV: Can you introduce yourself to our readers? Uche: My name is Uche, Pastor Uche ordained at Halleluiah Ministries International, I am a recording artiste and also a member of Joy Celebration in South Africa. I love the Lord and I love singing for the Lord. TV: What is your other name? Uche: Well, I am the first son of Assemblies of God parents and Pastors, my full names are Uchechukwu Godstime Agu. I was born in Nigeria in the city of Onitsha although my parents are from Imo State. TV: You have been living in South Africa for how long? Uche: For eight years now, I reside in Johannesburg, it has been an awesome experience, I love the people, the clulture, the warmth; one of the things that made me to fall in love with the country is their music. There depth of music and the love for music, the passion for music really drew me closer to the country. TV: Did you start playing music in South Africa? Uche: I have been doing music all my life, I have been singing, trying a lot of things and my mom informed me that I have been singing as a kid from the age of 4. I can remember back then when I used to sign at the Children’s choir, we were allowed once in a while to come and sign in the main church service, so music has always been part of my life for a long time. TV: Have you also studied music? Uche: (laughs) No, I have not studied music or have a degree in music but I have studied the basis at the Royal Bible church in Johannesburg, I have done vocal training, voice training, I learnt piano as an instrument, I didn’t go deep because then I started traveling and I couldn’t catch up, but I have the basic knowledge on music. TV: Playing music as a gospel artiste, how is it compared to secular artistes? Is there a good reception for gospel music? Uche: It depends on which part of Africa or the world you go to but generally gospel music is well received because the secular guys are more into media; they take advantage of the media and the technology available to sell their music while the gospel artistes especially in Africa are like on second level compared to the Americans or Europeans. But the gospel music in Africa is making impact among the people that are being raised up at this moment. God is rising a new generation of gospel artistes; you come to Holland, you hear of Elvis E in Amsterdam, you go to London, you hear of Aaron T. Aaron; you go to America, you hear a lot of gospel artistes so God is rising up; we are working hard, using what we have to reach our people and others. We know the future is bright and we can work together. TV: Is this your first time in Amsterdam? Uche: Yes, first time of coming inside Amsterdam, I always pass bye Amsterdam airport flying to other places but this is my first official trip to Amsterdam. TV: How was your experience? Uche: It was good, it is a lovely place, the city is good, and the places I visited are very nice, I also visited Almere, quite just like Johannesburg. The people I met here are very friendly, at least Elvis and his family were very friendly (Laughs). The people I met were friendly too. TV: You had a concert in Amsterdam. Tell us about it? Uche: As you read in this magazine, I was here last month and if you didn’t attend the show, you missed. I featured in that concert with Elvis E. Aaron T. Aaron, the Ghana Community Choir from Amsterdam, we chose some of the choirs that are resident in Amsterdam to feature in the concert, the performances were ballistic. You need to contact the organizers for your DVD copy to watch the show again. We were all on fire for Jesus, it was our first time in Amsterdam and we gave our best for the first edition of Africa Praise, next year I believe UNIQ records is going to announce a date for the concert very soon for the second edition. TV: Your hit track, ‘Double Double’ makes the headline everywhere, do you have other songs? Uche: I have other songs but the track Double Double is ever new when it is played, if you go to another part of the world, they are just catching up with Double Double; I have released three other songs on Joy Celebration label, after that people still talk about ‘Double Double’ so I think it is one of those songs that the life spam is timeless. TV: It seen internality! Uche: I tell you, I saw the song on Youtube being taught to kids in Brazil, on youtube it is over one million views and many are still viewing it. I have released several other songs but people are really hooked to that song. TV: It is a great song but how profitable is it to you? Uche: Well you see the thing is that the song was registered in South Africa which is a good breathing space for me and where they system is organized. The song was recorded there with Joy Celebration as the platform, the son is protected in that domain, obviously whatever happens in other African countries, I don’t have control over that. In South Africa, all my songs are registered and protected. In terms of making money, like my friend Elvis says, ‘you never say money is too much’. The money is coming in step by step, royalties also take time to come in so I thank God for where I am; I am not where I used to be before and I am moving forward with other African gospel artistes. TV: What is the ultimate for you with gospel music? Uche: This gospel music is an adventure, I cannot accomplish it alone, we are working together with my friends, Elvis E, Aaron T. Aaron, Tony in Canada, we have our contacts all over the world; we are trying to build this network, what we want to do is this; we want the world as a whole, not just the African communities but for instance, there must be a cross over; the Americans should be able to appreciate what we are doing, the Chinese, Japanese so this is the next level, to go into the market we have not reached for now; let the white people, the colored people, different kinds of people all over the world begin to enjoy our work. This is what the Americans have been able to do; they have made universal records. I was speaking to a record company, the focus and the direction now is global music; my next recording will be a global album whereby we feature artistes that I don’t want to mention their names now but with worldwide appeal. I am going to collaborate with some international artistes and when we release the music, it can reach the entire world. TV: Is Uche married or still available? Uche: I will be married very soon, marriage is not something to rush into, if you rush into it, you will rush out; your eyes have to be open to make sure that you make the right choice and you are able to connect. TV: One of the objectives of the gospel music is to win souls for Christ but I sense that gospel music is becoming just like secular music – to dance and to enjoy yourself. What do you think? Uche: Gospel music must be different from secular music, belief it or not if your gospel music is the same as secular music, then you must listen to what I am about to say. I am not saying that it must be different in the beats or rhythms, harmony but the power behind it must be different. The Apostle Paul said I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God onto salvation. The gospel music must carry power to touch and change lives, there must be something different about it. Secular music is just for you to play and dance, entertainment but the gospel music must be able to reach the spirit, it must be able to reach the soul; for instance if you are feeling down, you listen to gospel music, it should lift you up, it should develop your spirit man; it should bless you. It shouldn’t be only for entertainment but there must be a spiritual aspect of it. TV: How do you make sure that your gospel music carries power? Uche: You must be connected to the source of the power to receive the power. I see a lot of gospel artists, although no one is perfect, but your life style must correspond to what you are singing. You cannot say follow me, sing what I sing but don’t do what I do. Your life must correspond to what you and that is the difference between gospel music and secular music. I am an entertainer when I sing, dance, I bring fun but at the end of it, what happens? Is your sickness still there? Did something happen in your life? Does your heart bring glory to God? I ask myself these questions. Secular music directs people to money, life, and good times while gospel music should bring people closer to God. TV: Thank you for your time Uche: Thank you very much sir. Source: the voicenewsmagazine. Listen to his two songs my God is Good ooo and Overflow : My God Is Good ooo Overflow |
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