Prominent Zimbabwean musician Baba Harare has initiated a major public discussion about the treatment and compensation of artists within the gospel music industry.
In a detailed social media post, the artist shared his personal experiences from the past year, during which he focused exclusively on performing at gospel events, sparking a widespread and varied reaction from the public.
“This might sound controversial, but it comes from my heart and from my own experience," he wrote. "For the past year, I’ve been on hiatus from secular shows and performing exclusively at gospel events.”
While he praised the spiritual side of gospel music, he raised serious concerns about the business practices within the industry. He pointed out that artists are often expected to perform without fair compensation under the guise of ministering for the Kingdom.
“Often, people hide under the idea that because you’re ministering for the Kingdom, payment ‘shouldn’t matter.’ But let’s be honest: I am not only a Christian, I am also a human being and an artist. This is my work, my livelihood, and I need to survive beyond the stage,” he explained.
He highlighted a specific incident where a request for a modest US$200 to cover fuel and expenses for a church performance was met with rudeness. He concluded his post by calling for greater professionalism and respect for artists, suggesting that a lack of accountability is holding the genre back. In a poignant closing remark, he added in Shona that many gospel artists suffer in silence because they are told "a Christian does not complain," but declared that it was time to speak out.
Many users expressed strong support for Baba Harare’s stance. One commenter, Michael Hart, wrote, “Too many churches expect artists to pour out without pouring back in. Ministry does not mean martyrdom. Honour, respect, and accountability should be the bare minimum.” Another supporter added that promoters must recognize that musicians are professionals trying to make a living.
Others shared their own frustrations with church culture, with some commenters noting that such issues have affected their own relationship with organized religion. Prewagody Muparadzi shared a personal business experience, commenting, “Never do business with church people... most don’t honour agreements.”
However, not all reactions were in agreement with his public approach. Some followers advised a more diplomatic path. “Don’t burn the bridges. Diplomacy wins each time,” one user suggested, arguing that he could have addressed the pattern of non-payment more generally without publicizing a specific incident.
Several fans encouraged him to find a balance between his secular and gospel work, citing the career of the late Oliver Mtukudzi as an example of an artist who successfully navigated both worlds. The intense and varied feedback indicates that Baba Harare’s post has opened up an uncomfortable but necessary conversation about professionalism, finance, and faith in Zimbabwe's gospel music industry.
Artist Details Experiences in a Candid Social Media Post
On September 9, 2025, Baba Harare took to Facebook to outline his frustrations, contrasting his experiences in the secular and gospel music scenes. He began by affirming his position as a member of the Christian community, stating that his comments came from a place of personal experience. |
| Baba Harare Sparks Debate |
While he praised the spiritual side of gospel music, he raised serious concerns about the business practices within the industry. He pointed out that artists are often expected to perform without fair compensation under the guise of ministering for the Kingdom.
“Often, people hide under the idea that because you’re ministering for the Kingdom, payment ‘shouldn’t matter.’ But let’s be honest: I am not only a Christian, I am also a human being and an artist. This is my work, my livelihood, and I need to survive beyond the stage,” he explained.
He highlighted a specific incident where a request for a modest US$200 to cover fuel and expenses for a church performance was met with rudeness. He concluded his post by calling for greater professionalism and respect for artists, suggesting that a lack of accountability is holding the genre back. In a poignant closing remark, he added in Shona that many gospel artists suffer in silence because they are told "a Christian does not complain," but declared that it was time to speak out.
Public Reaction is Strong and Divided
The post quickly went viral, attracting hundreds of comments from fans, fellow artists, and the general public, reflecting a deep divide on the issue.Many users expressed strong support for Baba Harare’s stance. One commenter, Michael Hart, wrote, “Too many churches expect artists to pour out without pouring back in. Ministry does not mean martyrdom. Honour, respect, and accountability should be the bare minimum.” Another supporter added that promoters must recognize that musicians are professionals trying to make a living.
Others shared their own frustrations with church culture, with some commenters noting that such issues have affected their own relationship with organized religion. Prewagody Muparadzi shared a personal business experience, commenting, “Never do business with church people... most don’t honour agreements.”
However, not all reactions were in agreement with his public approach. Some followers advised a more diplomatic path. “Don’t burn the bridges. Diplomacy wins each time,” one user suggested, arguing that he could have addressed the pattern of non-payment more generally without publicizing a specific incident.
Several fans encouraged him to find a balance between his secular and gospel work, citing the career of the late Oliver Mtukudzi as an example of an artist who successfully navigated both worlds. The intense and varied feedback indicates that Baba Harare’s post has opened up an uncomfortable but necessary conversation about professionalism, finance, and faith in Zimbabwe's gospel music industry.
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