2nd September, 2011
 Reggae music star turned gospel singer, Rigtheousman Erhabor, here speaks about the Nigerian music scene, reggae music and other issues.
Who is Rigtheousman?
I am Rigtheousman Erhabor, a minister of gospel, an ordained apostle and the president of Praise Affairs International. I am a father, husband and group leader.
For some time now, you have been sitting in limbo, what happened?
I have been working as I have no other job except music. I am into full time gospel. In a way, it is not just music but the words. I am always working, we are in studio now and this is my kitchen where I cook music. You know we donâ€
Reggae musician turned evangelist, how come?
One thing you must know is that reggae music is life and you must be a prophet to play the music and apart from that, if you have been following the music of Righteousman, you will know that I am always a messenger but an official one now. It is not about the office but the life you live. Being ordained an apostle is not enough, even to me, the name Righteousman is bigger than the title apostle. To have a right stand with God is more than the title of apostle, but the life you live is more important to God.
After committing so much sin, you decided to retrace your steps?
No, I donâ€
Why did you leave Nigeria sometime ago?
That was long time ago, I did not really stay long but I have been in and out of the country playing music.
What has become of reggae as a brand of music?
Reggae is alive, there are reggae stars, the Kimonos of the world, Majek Fashek, go and listen to my music, it is reggae but the content is gospel. If you say reggae music is dead, I donâ€
But it seems there is downward trend in reggae music?
Well, it is like asking me what happened to Felix Liberty, Jide Obi or Tera Kota and so many of them. The world is a vicious cycle and it is moving round, I am still relevant, if not, we will not be discussing now. I am still waxing stronger and playing my music, what is Buchi playing, is it not gospel-reggae? And he is selling more than the hip hop artistes in Nigeria. I am talking about sales not media, radio or TV hype, the only music you can export to America now is gospel and reggae music.
But you will agree with me that reggae music is not as popular as before?
No, it is a world class music, so if it is not happening here for you, you have to move to another location, go to UK, Europe and America, if you travel to these places, you will realise that reggae CDs are the most expensive to buy. Reggae concerts are the most expensive to watch like in Nigeria, we celebrate hip hop like Jay Z and Kanye West, but when you check the records, rock artistes are more popular and richer, but you donâ€
Is that why you guys travel to Europe, that is, Ras Kimono, you, Majek and others; in fact, where is Majek?
Majek is okay, he had a show last month and he is about to release another album.
When last did you speak with him?
That was when he was in Nigeria, we even did a song together in the album I am releasing soon. Majek is a spiritual person, the only thing I know about him is that he drinks a lot. I used to drink but no more.
Why did you stop?
I stopped because I have had enough and because what I would have drank for 100 years was rushed in few years.
Why is reggae linked to wine, women and weeds?
I donâ€
No, I donâ€
I know you know more than I do.
What about the link between Rastafarians and reggae?
I know that you will wonder why I was ordained an apostle with my dreadlocks. Well, I am not a rastaman and will never be one, I love reggae music, I love the message, I came to Lagos when I was young, Felix Duke and I. I love Baba Fela Anikulapo-Kutiâ€
So you donâ€
I play reggae music, yet I donâ€
So your dread is natural?
It is. Okay, initially I did not want to answer some questions directly, but now I will say this about what happened to reggae music and all that. So, let me answer you directly. Reggae music, to me, is not a religion and when you want to make it one, it will be difficult to convert followers. It is like when we have so many religions nowadays. People still believe in one pastor than the other, even in Pentecostal churches. Rastafarian can be a religion that people believe in and Hale Selassie and others, but reggae music is not a religion.
But some of you believe in it?
Okay, let me define it. We have some rasta men who are not musicians, they believe in rastafaria, there is nothing like believing in reggae music because it is like any other brand of music, like hip hop, R&B. In fact, we have some rastafarians who donâ€
What of rastas who are musicians?
Yes, Ras Kimono is a rastafarian, he has his own belief and I know he still believes in God, so every man knows what he wants, while everybody has his own passion like I have passion for Jesus Christ, He is my lord and saviour and I believe it is not about dreadlocks or life, but the music.
But reggae is still problematic?
No, I came out with My Number in 2007 and was nominated for hip hop award. Is 2007 too far way? I came out recently with Whoâ€
But?
Well, maybe you want to hear the kind of roots reggae like the One Drop era, not even in Jamaica, they donâ€
How do you get your inspiration?
From God and people like you.
Are you fulfilled?
Yes, I am. I make money from music, because if I am not performing, I am somewhere recording or directing video and if I am not doing that, I am writing a book. Presently, I am writing a book about leadership, I will conclude it in America before my return.
How long are you going to be there?
About one month.