Lagos, Nigeria — In a music space where gospel often stays within the four walls of the church, Akinade Ibuoye, popularly known as Gaise Baba, is breaking boundaries. An Afrogospel singer, entrepreneur, and cultural innovator, Gaise Baba has built a career that merges faith with art, business, and social change. His bold approach challenges long-standing norms, showing that gospel music can thrive on global stages without losing its spiritual essence.
Armed with a degree in Economics and a diploma in Music Business from Berklee College of Music, Gaise Baba views music as more than entertainment—it is a tool for impact. His work includes LightOut, a school-outreach program tackling issues like climate change, drug abuse, and cybercrime through concerts that have reached more than 33,000 students across Nigeria. He also launched Black Flame, a podcast amplifying African voices on culture, faith, and innovation.
His career highlights span from partnerships with the German and Netherlands Consulates, the British Council, and Lagos State Government, to a six-week UK tour in 2024, headlining at London’s Shaw Theatre and performing across Leicester, Aberdeen, and Manchester. In May 2025, his single “No Turning Back II” became a global crossover hit, climbing to No. 16 on the Billboard US Afrobeats chart and topping YouTube Nigeria for five weeks, while amassing over 12 million Spotify streams.
With upcoming shows in London (September 7, 2025) and a Lagos homecoming in December, Gaise Baba continues to stretch the boundaries of what faith-based music can achieve.
In this conversation, he opens up about his philosophy, success, and the future of Afrogospel.
Q&A with Gaise Baba
Q: You’re often described as someone breaking the mold in gospel music. How do you see your mission?
Gaise Baba: For me, it’s about redefining what faith music can be. Traditionally, gospel music is seen as confined to church spaces, but I see it as an industry with the power to influence culture, policy, and social values. My music is not just about sound—it’s about culture shaping.
Q: Your hit single “No Turning Back II” became a global success. Do you feel pressure to replicate that?
Gaise Baba: Not really. I don’t think it’s wise to chase the exact same “success.” The way that song blew up was beyond human orchestration. What I can do is stay authentic, keep evolving, and build strong collaborations. If another monster hit comes, fantastic. But if not, I’ll still be content as long as the message and impact remain strong.
Q: You founded LightOut to reach young people. What inspired this initiative?
Gaise Baba: Growing up, I saw how music could influence people. With LightOut, the idea was to take concerts into schools, but make them more than entertainment. We address real issues like cybercrime, drug use, and climate action through music. Since we started, we’ve engaged over 30,000 students, and it’s been powerful to see music spark conversations about values and responsibility.
Q: Your partnerships with consulates and organizations are unique for a gospel artist. How did that evolve?
Gaise Baba: I think it’s because my work connects faith with real societal issues. When the German Consulate supported a climate-focused concert, or when we collaborated with the Lagos State Office for Climate Change, it showed that music can bridge art, faith, and policy. That’s what excites me—using music to engage on multiple levels.
Q: You’ve said, “Power on the inside, steeze on the outside.” What does that mean for gospel artists today?
Gaise Baba: (laughs) It means depth plus style. For Afrogospel artists, spiritual depth is non-negotiable—that’s the power on the inside. But we also need creativity, style, and relevance to connect with audiences beyond the church. It’s about carrying the message in a way that is appealing and relatable.
Q: You also run Black Flame, a podcast. Why add that to your brand?
Gaise Baba: Music is one form of storytelling, but I wanted a space for conversations too. Black Flame is about giving young Africans a platform to share stories on culture, faith, and innovation. During my UK tour, we even hosted live episodes. It’s another way of building community.
Q: Looking ahead, what do you hope your legacy will be?
Gaise Baba: That I proved gospel music could stand in global spaces without compromise. That I showed the next generation you can merge faith, art, and business to drive real impact. My legacy, I hope, will be music that entertained, inspired, and shaped culture.
With his business acumen, cultural fluency, and spiritual depth, Gaise Baba is showing that gospel music is not confined—it can be global, stylish, and impactful. His journey is not just about hits but about building a new model for faith-driven artistry in Africa.
By Adeola Olaniya | August 30, 2025
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