Veteran highlife musician Rex Omar has revealed that his disappointment with how the church treated his talent in his early years led him to switch from gospel to secular music.
In an interview on Joy Prime, the musician, born Rex Owusu Marfo, disclosed that he began his career as a gospel artist, releasing his first three albums as gospel projects while actively serving in church.
As a committed Christian at the time, he said he was a regular church singer who ministered with a quartet during Sunday services.
The turning point, however, came when he approached his pastor for support to enter a recording studio. His request was taken to the church board but ultimately declined.
“He (the pastor) came back to tell me the church said they couldn’t use church money for studio recording,” Rex Omar recounted.
At the time, he said he struggled to understand why pastors received financial support from the church while musicians, who used the same Bible to write and minister songs, were left unsupported.
“You pick the Bible and preach, and the church pays you a salary, takes care of your family and your children’s education. I also use the same Bible to write songs and sing in church, and you say you can’t support me. Then what will be my future?” he questioned.
Disillusioned by the decision, Rex Omar said he resolved to take his talent outside the church space to survive.
“If the church cannot support my talent, then I’ll go out there and take money from outside. And when I take that money, I won’t use it to record church music,” he stated.
Despite leaving the church, the musician clarified that his decision did not weaken his spirituality.
“God did not lose a soul, the church lost a client. I am still very close to God. But since I walked out of church, I have never gone back. In 40 years, I haven’t been to church, and I am even a far better person. I used to believe in God, but now I know God,” he said.
Many decades later, Rex Omar said he has no regrets, noting that his switch to highlife has positioned him as the legendary musician he is today.
