By Robert Egbe
Gospel reggae artist, Chukwuemeka Kpadobi aka Tonneil Avo, has shared the story of how a track in second album ‘Testimonies’, became the mental and spiritual tonic that helped a fan survive the lockdown in the United Kingdom-based.
Tonneil Avo explained that his songs, though simple, are often laced with heavy lyrics and spiritual depth which inspire those on the verge of giving up in life, or battling drugs, marital hiccups, sickness, stress, spiritual attacks, poverty, among other challenges.
“In fact some of my fans call my songs; ‘anti-depressant’ as they listen in the place of meditation, relaxation and through their daily routine.
“You’ll find most of those songs in my second album; ‘Testimonies.’ During lockdown, a fan of mine based in the UK played the song online back-to-back and cued into the anointing and drew strength, hope and joy to move on through those trying times to the glory of God.
“And this song; ‘Salvation is Free’ became an eye opener that Jesus Christ got our back always. The good news is that it’s danceable, infotaining, entertaining, soul refreshing and it heals,” he said.
Tonneil Avo, who spoke in Lagos, while introducing his new album tagged: ‘Salvation is free’, said excellence and righteousness should be the hallmark of the gospel industry.
He lamented the lack of spirituality among gospel musicians in the country, adding that the industry is laced with worldliness, mediocrity and compromise.
“What I would love to change is mediocrity and compromise in the gospel music industry, and lack of spirituality. I will continue in excellence and righteousness,” he said.
Tonneil Avo stated that he was on the verge of completing a deal with Veemost Entertainment, an international firm behind the much-anticipated Williams Uchemba’s movie, ‘Mamba’s Diamond.’
He added: “Afrirock@g fusion is my brand of reggae. It’s reggae without ganja, cocaine, nor any kind of hard drug at work in man. In the place of ganja or any hard drug, I replace it with the spirit of Christ. In the place of patois, I replace it with the word of God. My discovery is this; in ganja you only feel high for a season but in the spirit of Christ, your highness has no time and season or limitations. I call that anointing and l tell you the truth you can’t go higher than the most high.”
Explaining his brand of music, he said he chose reggae because it is all encompassing.
Tonneil Avo said: “In reggae you will find rock, soul, bebop, jazz, country, highlife, hiplife, hip pop, R&B etc. It ticks like the human heart and it carries a high level of spirituality with a freedom effect.
“Be it political, social, religious and spiritual, reggae music heals and it’s highly spiritual with a unifying force in bringing people together beyond their differences and it’s a perfect code to download eternity to time. Therefore, Reggae Music is my code but Jesus remains my focus.”