Expand your mind and take back what the world took from you.Words from Nigerian born multi talented Gospel musician and fashion designer, Gdia. On her exclusive “Celebrity of the week” Interview with www.NGospelmedia.net Star Host, Sammy Sas.
Sammy Sas: Pls can we meet you?
Gdia: My name is Godiya Dangana, popularly known as Gdia
Sammy Sas: Tell us about your early days growing up?
Gdia: Growing up was fun. Being the 6th child of my parents 7 children, i had elders ones who looked after me and supported what i do from the day1 till now.
Sammy Sas: So when did you realized you had a Passion for music?
Gdia: From my sunday school days
Sammy Sas: How did you come up about the name Gdia?
Gdia: I was in the studio at kd, with an old friend working on my second Album when he said, instead of Godiya for this album lets change it to Gdia and i kind of liked the name, then it took off from there.
Sammy Sas: So how many albums do you have to your credit?
Gdia: 3
Sammy Sas: Hmmm
Sammy Sas: What type of music do you do?
Gdia: Gospel RNB, Pop, afro, infact, i can do all things true Christ.
Sammy Sas: What actually made you go into the Gospel music industry?
Gdia: Nothing made me go into the Gospel music industry, i was born singing for Jesus and that’s what i will do for for the rest of my life. Making his name known to the ends of the earth is my passion. That’s what i was born to do and i knew that the moment i knew myself.
Sammy Sas: So with your experience so far, what do you think is the major challenge in the Gospel music industry?
Gdia: Finance – Some people have the passion but nobody to support them because you need money to go to the studio and produce a good song which after that you have to promote it, that’s why i don’t like lazy people who sit down at home waiting for the Holy Spirit to send down money when they can actually do something with their hands to make money. We’v got to stop blaming the church or our pastors because they also put in so much to be where they are. Its time we do likewise. Then, lack of creativity which i think is a major challenge. People are no longer original, everyone wants to sound and write like that “trending artist” when there is so much you can do to be different.
Sammy Sas: Do you think the Gospel musicians have the right platform like their secular counterpart?
Gdia: Hmmmmm! Yes but one problem some of us have, is we don’t think out of the box. The world is ours for the taking, we should dominate it and not allow the devil to have his way. If as a Gospel artist, you’re invited to a secular show to sing, Mbok, go and sing JESUS so you can win souls for Him, do not say i sing only in church. Expand your mind and take back what the world took from you. Organised street gospel shows, give it an attractive name like we already have “Abuja Praise Party”. Churches should invest more in the sound in their churches like Coza does so that the choir can provide good music for people to be blessed and for the name of the Lord to be glorified. Gospel artists should learn to do all the genre of music so that we don’t loose our youths to the club. Dj Ernesty is one good gospel Dj i know that is doing well, he creates platforms for gospel artists. So you see, we have it all but we’re just refusing to invest in it.
Sammy Sas: Interesting, So If you asked to do a collaboration with three secular artist,who would you pick?
Gdia: Brymo, Mi, and Simi.
Sammy Sas: On a scale of 1-10 how well do you know culture and traditions?
Gdia: Hmmmmm!!!, 8
Sammy Sas: Which ethnic group/state are you from?
Gdia: Gbagyi from niger state.
Sammy Sas: So which local meal can you prepare very well?
Gdia: Egusi soup and eba
Sammy Sas: That’s your favourite abi?
Gdia: Yes oh
Sammy Sas: Do you Speak in tongues?
Gdia: Yes
Sammy Sas: Apart from Jesus Christ, who is your favourite character in the Bible?
Gdia: Deborah, she was a wife, mother, and a prophet and even went to war with her people. Wow! A very strong woman
Sammy Sas: So whats your favourite verse in the Bible?
Gdia: Prov. 4:18 {MSG} The ways of right-living people glow with light; the longer they live, the brighter they shine.
Sammy Sas: Awesomely Classic! Tell us a little bit about your past and current projects/achievement since the inception of your professional career?
Gdia: Hmmmm! Well, God has been faithful. Singing is what i love doing and with that God has helped me win souls through that. I am also a fashion designer because i love to look good. Then, through my past disappoints in life, talking to people about it has really changed so many lives so i started organizing a ladies programm ( Tell Me Sis With Gdia ) where we bring ladies together under a non denominational platform to learn how to be productive and add value to their society, business, home and even church. We also talk about relationship, preparing us to be a sister, wife, mother and a Friend. It is a very wide vision and i bless God for seeing me through it.
Sammy Sas: When did “Tell me Sis with Gdia” started?
Gdia: 21st August 2016 was the first edition. We had Faith Yebo, Noella, Opera David, Ebi Fynface, Tunmise, Fope, Prospa Ochimana, Pst. Jessy Danladi and Aisha Abdullahi. We worship and learnt so much. The talk show was quite intresting.
Sammy Sas: So what’s your favorite colour?
Gdia: Hmmmm black, silver, gold, white lol
Sammy Sas: Where do you see your career in 5years time?
Gdia: I am taking over territories
Sammy Sas: What’s your advice to upcoming Gospel musician?
Gdia: Be your self and think outside the box.
Sammy Sas: Who are your role-models? Music and ministry
Gdia: Solomon Lange, Tasha Cobb, Travis Green, Kim Walker and many more
Sammy Sas: Are you still a wife material or a serving wife?
Gdia: I am a wife material!!!
Sammy Sas: If you were to be an animal, which animal would you be?
Gdia: Lion
Sammy Sas: So how can your fans reach you on social media?
Gdia: IG – @Gdia1, Twitter – @missgdia , Facebook – Gdia
Sammy Sas: Finally your last words to your fans in diaspora
Gdia: I love you all.
Sammy Sas: Thank you so much for your time dear
Gdia: Thanks for the opportunity to feature
I know you must have enjoyed this interview, therefore make it a date with me next week on your No1 Urban Gospel blog www.nGospelmedia.net for participation and inquiries call/whatsapp +2347068211976 Facebook Sammy SAS .Twitter @RealSammySAS. have a glorious week ahead.You will be fine. Deuces