MOMENT WITH JOSEPH KOREY
Okay. Let's begin with introductions. How will you describe yourself?
I am Alaka Joseph Oluwakorede, popularly known as JOSEPH KOREY.
I am a Nigerian artiste, producer, Musician, worship singer and songwriter from Ogun State. I live in Lagos, Nigeria. I’m into Gospel music, inspirational and motivational songs.
How will you describe a gospel song? What are those attributes you look for? What interests you about a song?
For me, gospel songs are spiritual songs, songs that bring Good News, songs that edify the body of Christ. I look out for the lyrical contents, the beats, the harmonies and the flow. Well, I’m a musician before I became a singer. So, I’m attracted to the style of the song and the instrumentation.
Okay. How long have you been in this 'gospel 'business?' By business, I mean the work of being a gospel artist?
I will say 8 years now.
Wow. That is quite a long time! Is that number of years inclusive of being a gospel artist professionally?
Okay. so professionally for 4 years. I started the journey eight years ago but had to take a break due to some personal things.
What has been the greatest challenge for you as a gospel artist?
I will say the financial aspect especially when it comes to promotion. The bars have been raised that if you aren’t financially stable, you might drop out. I remember how I had to pause to get a job just to push my music career and balance ministry and personal life.
Have you at any time been tempted to switch to something more secular? I mean secular music?
Oh yeah! This right here 😂. I would have. At one point, I was confused. I remember when I went to my uncle's studio then, when artists and some big men came around and they heard me sing, they mostly wanted me to sing secularly and wished I could switch. They would be like young guys like me who are ruling the industry. They ain’t wrong but it’s just a personal decision to sing gospel.
Let's go to your song, Lion of the Tribe of Judah. How did you receive the song?
Okay. I received the song during my personal time with God. I was worshiping in my closet and the chorus just dropped in my heart and I can remember recording just that line.
And the other lines? How did they come?
The remaining lines came I think... After the verse came I left it for about six months and I didn't touch it. There was a time that I was playing it in my closet and that was how the other verses came. Like the other part of the song.
After that, I took it to my rehearsal. And then, I can remember teaching them at rehearsal the song. Teaching them the chorus just to add to their worship arrangements. I was like the choir director.
I added to their arrangements and everybody just loved the song because of the simplicity of the song and they flowed with the song just like that. After they started singing it...as they were singing, since I was the one playing the keyboard then.
So, from there, getting to the other part of the song. I was getting the other part till.... Well, that was how the song came about. It was during that time that people ministered the song in my church.
As they sang it, the inspiration just kept coming; fresh ones. And as they come, I write them down. Sometimes, after the ministration, I had to go outside, take my phone and record.
It is so funny that even then some other people came from other churches. They had to take the song to their church. Singing the same song in their church.
The song that I have not even recorded, not done. I can remember people asking me then where did I get the song? Like who sang this song? And this and that. I couldn't answer them because... I can't tell them the song is mine when I have not even done it.
And I was also scared of them knowing that the song is mine. Someone can just pick it up and do it. So, it was a big risk then but it was worth it. That was how I got the song. That was how I got everything.
Wow! When did you know it was time to record the song?
Okay, that was last year (2023). Although I recorded this song two years ago (2021). But when I did it then, I planned to release the song two years ago but when the song was done, I didn't get the feeling.... This excitement, this fulfillment. 'Okay, you have done this but it is the right time to release it'.
But I didn't get that and after listening to the song, I didn't feel the song. I didn't just like the song. So, I left the song and focused on other things. I tried to do some other stuff. When I started doing some instrumentals for some songs.
But that last, I think September, I was planning to do another song of mine. Let me release this and all. But I was thinking of the budget and all and the Holy Spirit dropped it in my heart. 'But you have this song that you have done before. Why not just revisit this song. Try to fine-tune it as you want.'
So, I decided to pick the song. There are so many times that I have picked the song. Let me listen to this song again and do something. But any time I picked the song, I just dropped the song. But that last year, it was just different.
When I picked the song and I listened to the song, I just fell in love with the song. Everything just came like this was the right time. I felt this urge, this feeling that this year, I think it is time God wanted me to release the song.
When I picked the song, I started adjusting one or two things till it was fully fleshed. Something that I actually want. When I was done, everything came just like.... I picked the song last year in September and I finished everything in October.
It was so funny that this song has been picking for years and dropping. It is not even up to a month and I am done with it. I had this feeling, this freshness that this was the time and believe me, everything I needed for the song just came up.
Like someone ready to listen to the song, different producers listened to the song and they wanted to help with the mixing and the mastering for free. I was like wow, where were all these people before?
Even to promote the song, everything came with ease. It was that September I picked that immediately that that was the time. This is the song you should do. It was September last year and I felt it. The song was released the first week of November; 3rd of November.
Were there any fears that the song may not receive wide acceptance?
Not at all…I knew it’s a song that people will love and the song will bless lives. Even before I released the song, it has been blessing lives.
Great. What advice will I give to aspiring gospel artists?
I will say, pursue your dream without compromise. The road won’t be smooth though because the path to greatness is not smooth. But those are what makes the journey fun and worthwhile. Also, trust in the Lord and walk in faith with God’s promise concerning the ministry. Those promises are what keeps you going.
Thank you so much for your time. I really appreciate it.
Thank you too. It's really an honour🙏.
This is where we will put a wrap to this interesting interview. You can follow my guest on the following social media handles.
Instagram: joseph_korey
Facebook: Joseph korey
TikTok: joseph_korey
YouTube: Joseph korey
You can also stream Lion of the Tribe of Judah here:
https://fanlink.to/LionoftheTribeofJudah
Please like, share and follow.
From me, it is a good bye. I remain Yours Sincerely,
Julius Topohozin
