‘Church Music Shaped Me, But My Sound Belongs Elsewhere,’ Says Johnny Drille

Nigerian singer-songwriter Johnny Drille has opened up about his complex relationship with the church and how his music evolved beyond the traditional Christian framework that shaped his early years.

Speaking on the CreativiTEA Podcast, the “How Are You (My Friend)” crooner revealed that while his faith and love for God remain unwavering, he never felt his sound truly fit within church settings.

“For me, I love God. I am very much involved in church. But I never really felt my music was in church. Every now and then, I get invited to churches to sing, which is kind of interesting,”
Drille said.

The Mavin Records artist explained that although he occasionally performs in churches, his music has sometimes drawn criticism from members of the Christian community who feel it doesn’t conform to gospel norms.

“I’ve gotten a bit of backlash from my Christian community every now and then when they invite me to churches,” he admitted.

“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.”

Johnny Drille, whose artistry is known for its soulful storytelling and themes of love, said he believed the church often avoids open conversations about love, subjects that should be more freely expressed in faith-based music.

“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?” he asked.

Reflecting on his beginnings as a church music director, Drille noted that the experience was instrumental in shaping his artistry, even if his creative style did not fit the typical mold of worship music.

“There is a place for worship music, but there is also music about so much that the church could be singing about,” he explained.

“For me, I didn’t feel my music had a place in the church at the time. I was a music director, I was directing the choir, not singing in front of the church, but I think it did help me become the musician that I am today.”