• Johnny Drille has reflected on his transition from gospel to mainstream music, revealing he often felt out of place in the church despite starting his career there.
• Speaking on a podcast, he admitted facing backlash from some Christians but maintained that his music remains positive.
• Drille also criticised churches for avoiding songs about love, suggesting they create their own Christian love songs. He added that his time as a choir director helped shape his artistry and musicianship.

Afrobeats singer Johnny Drille has opened up about his struggles with acceptance in the church despite starting his music journey there.

Speaking on a recent podcast, he said: “I didn’t feel like my music was predominantly in church. Every now and then, I get invited to churches to sing, which is kind of interesting.”

The singer revealed that his switch from gospel to mainstream music drew criticism from some Christians. “I’ve gotten a bit of backlash from my Christian community every now and then when they invite me to churches. But at the end of the day, the music is positive. It speaks to good things that sometimes the church doesn’t want to talk about,” he explained.

Johnny Drille also faulted churches for avoiding songs about love, saying: “The church shies away from talking about love. A lot of times you go for some Christian weddings and you hear Davido and Wizkid. What if the church decides that we want to start doing our own Christian love songs?”

Reflecting on his early days, he said: “There’s a place for worship music, right? But there’s also music about so much more that the church could be singing about. I was a music director, directing the choir, but I never really sang in front of the church. I think it helped me become the musician I am today.”