Nigerian gospel singer and songwriter Sola Allyson has fired back at a critic who questioned the absence of direct references to Jesus in her latest album. The heated exchange came after a comment from an X user, @Folahanayo1, which sparked a debate about the spiritual focus of Allyson’s music.
The controversy was triggered by gospel legend Panam Percy Paul’s recent revelation that he rejected a £24 million record deal in 1995 because the label asked him to reduce references to Jesus in his songs. This comment prompted @Folahanayo1 to criticize Allyson’s album, asking, “Sola Allyson cannot relate. A whole album and not a single mention of Jesus.”
In an assertive response, Allyson didn’t hold back, defending her artistic and spiritual vision. She accused the critic of being unkind and manipulative, suggesting that such comments missed the deeper message of her music. “It’s not about mere words. It’s about the spirit behind the music,” Allyson stated, explaining that her album reflects her personal journey and spiritual expression, rather than adhering to others’ expectations.
Allyson’s passionate defense highlights the ongoing tension in gospel music, where artists face scrutiny over the balance between faith and artistic freedom. Her stance has sparked a wider conversation about the role of faith in music and the expectations placed on gospel artists to represent Jesus explicitly in their work.
