Nigerian actor Patrick Doyle has urged mainstream gospel artists not to feel aggrieved by singer Tems’ recent win at the 2024 BET Awards.
The 29-year-old Nigerian singer secured the Best Gospel/Inspirational Award for her song ‘Me and U’ at the event held at the Peacock Theater in Downtown Los Angeles, United States, on Monday, July 1.
Tems triumphed over competitors such as Shirley Caesar (“Award All of the Glory”), Kirk Franklin (“All Things”), Halle Bailey (“Angel”), CeCe Winans (“Come Jesus Come”), Erica Campbell (“Do You Believe in Love?”), Maverick City Music, Naomi Raine & Chandler Moore (“God Problems”), and Kirk Franklin (“Try Love”).
The decision has prompted reactions on social media, with some mainstream gospel artists expressing surprise over the award’s outcome.
In a social media post, Doyle empathized with these artists and advised them to refrain from seeking validation from the entertainment industry, which he described as being under the influence of forces he referred to as ‘the grip of Satan.’
“I feel the pain of mainstream gospel artistes who feel slighted that Tems an evidently secular musician was awarded the BET award for best gospel song. That said I believe it’s about time that committed Christians stop seeking validation from fickle institutions like the entertainment industry mafia which by the way is in the grip of Satan.’”
