>
By Emmanuel Adeleke
Nigerian singer, Simisola Bolatito Kosoko, popularly known as Sim, has said that the paltry amounts being offered for performances made her quit gospel music many years ago.
The singer, in an interview with MTV Base, revealed that she used to perform in churches, but she would be paid between N5,000 and N10,000 for her performances.
Simi said the highest amount she ever received was N70,000 for gospel ministration.
“I actually used to perform in a lot of churches. They would pay me around N5000 to N10000.
“Do you know the highest amount of money I ever collected while doing gospel music? N70,000.
“And I felt like I had arrived. I still paid a 10 per cent tithe from that money,” she said.
Simi explained that she faced financial challenges during that time and was eagerly searching for her big break.
The singer stressed that while the money she earned from gospel music was sufficient to buy food, it was not enough to support her career aspirations.
“I just did not have enough money. After my song ‘Ara Ile’ was featured in the gospel album called ‘Ogaju,’ I was still looking for my big break.
“Like I said, I did not have much money. They were paying me N10,000, which was enough to buy food here and there, but it was not enough to support my career,” she added.
Simi released her debut studio album, titled Ogaju, in 2008, featuring various songs including Iya Temi and Ara Ile.
She gained public recognition in 2014 after releasing “Tiff”, a song that was nominated for Best Alternative Song at The Headies 2015.
