Ringtone Blames Church for Decline of Kenya’s Gospel Music Industry

Controversial Kenyan gospel musician Alex Apoko, popularly known as Ringtone, has claimed that the church played a major role in the decline of the country’s gospel music industry, arguing that public criticism from religious leaders damaged the genre more than competition from secular music.

Speaking during an interview with Radio Generation, the singer said gospel music lost momentum because church leaders chose to publicly condemn artists instead of guiding them privately.

According to Ringtone, many pastors benefited from the popularity of gospel musicians during the industry’s peak years but later turned against the same artists, creating a negative public perception that ultimately hurt the sector.

“The church is what hit us; it wasn’t even the people in the clubs,” he said.

He argued that pastors should have acted as spiritual mentors rather than public critics.

“Instead of being fathers and mothers and calling artists behind the curtain, they shamed them in public,” he added.

Public Criticism Hurt the Industry

Ringtone maintained that repeated public criticism caused many people to view gospel musicians negatively, weakening the influence and appeal of gospel music in Kenya.

According to him, the resulting decline created space for secular music to dominate the market.

He claimed that the vacuum left by the struggling gospel industry has led even the children of some church leaders to embrace secular music because the gospel alternative that once existed was undermined from within.

Call for Greater Support

The musician believes the gospel industry can recover if church leaders change their approach and begin supporting artists instead of criticising them publicly.

He urged influential pastors and religious institutions to recognise gospel musicians as ministers who spread faith through music.

According to Ringtone, appreciation and encouragement from church leaders would help restore confidence in the industry and inspire a new generation of gospel artists.

“When they support us the way they finished us, gospel will return,” he said.

Inspiration From Time in Police Custody

The singer also reflected on a challenging period in his life when he spent more than a week in police custody following a land-related dispute.

Rather than viewing the experience as a setback, Ringtone said it inspired his latest song, Neema.

He explained that being removed from his comfortable lifestyle and spending time in a police cell gave him a different perspective that influenced the song’s message.

According to the artist, the experience strengthened his faith and reinforced his commitment to gospel ministry.

Focused on Gospel Ministry

Despite his often controversial public image, Ringtone said he remains committed to gospel music and has no plans to switch to secular entertainment.

He expressed hope that his music will continue to inspire people across different generations and serve as a tool for spreading his faith.

The musician concluded by reiterating his belief that the revival of Kenya’s gospel music industry depends on stronger support from the church and greater recognition of the role artists play in ministry.