Gospel singer Bidemi Olaoba has sparked debate after his appearance at the 84 Hours of Marathon Messiah’s Praise concert, where he blended popular internet slang into a worship song. The event, which began on March 3, was organized in honor of Pastor E. A. Adeboye, also known as Daddy GO, leader of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, celebrating his 84th birthday. The concert featured performances from several gospel artists, including Dunsin Oyekan, Chioma Jesus, Simisola Agbebi, and Toluwasings.
Olaoba’s energetic performance quickly spread across social media, with many viewers commenting on the use of the secular meme “Yakubu manage,” a phrase that became popular online in late February. Some churchgoers and online critics expressed concern, suggesting that weaving trending slang into a praise session lowered the spiritual tone and made it more about entertainment than worship.
Among the reactions, some questioned whether Bidemi Olaoba was transitioning from a music minister to an entertainer. Critics called for church leaders to advise him and even recommended that he not be invited to future church events if such trends continued. Others argued that gospel music should be inspired from God and not influenced by internet trends.
The discussion has spread across various social media platforms, with people sharing passionate opinions. Some defended Olaoba’s creativity and charisma, while others warned about the risk of blurring boundaries between secular entertainment and sacred church music. The incident highlights ongoing conversations about the evolution of worship music and the influence of social media on religious practices.
As the marathon praise event continues, the controversy around Olaoba’s performance remains a talking point within the gospel music community. The reaction shows the divide between those seeking to modernize praise music and others who prefer traditional forms of worship.
