- Phil Evans Akesse Brempong's surprising past: from RnB to gospel
- He wooed girls with Westlife songs in high school
- University encounter leads to divine calling as gospel musician
Ghanaian gospel musician Phil Evans Akesse Brempong has shared insights into his life before embracing his current career. In an interview with Irene Adubea Aning on the Career Trail TV program, Brempong discussed his early experiences and how they shaped his path to gospel music.
Brempong revealed that during his senior high school years, he used RnB songs to attract girls. He recounted owning a book filled with lyrics from Westlife and other RnB artists, which he used to impress his peers. “I started singing for the girls in SHS and they fell for it. To get to be friends with the girls, I will use the music, singing a lot of RnB songs. There used to be a small book which contained all the Westlife songs including RnB songs. So you buy the cassette, you buy the book and you go and sing for the girls. It was a thing,” he said.
This approach to music was a significant part of his life until he reached university, where he discovered his true calling as a gospel musician. Brempong’s transformation began when he was asked to lead the choir after attending a church meeting with a friend.
Recalling the pivotal moment, he said, “Gideon dragged me to one of their meetings one day. The music director was teaching a song and he was fumbling with it. So he went to tell the music director that, the guy sitting there, the first-year guy is really good. He can teach this song. The guy called me up to help him teach it. I taught the song in 15 minutes. He was like, wow, this guy is good.”
Following this encounter, Brempong had the opportunity to direct the PENSA choir and participate in various gospel programs at the university. “I started directing the PENSA choir, right from the first day I went to rehearsal until I left KNUST. I was also part of the recording team for the gospel explosion and the lead vocal for the gospel explosion. I was involved in the mass choir as well,” he added.
After completing his university education, Brempong was convinced that gospel music was his divine calling, a conviction he has embraced fully.
