Gospel musician, Patrick Nyamitari, released a soul single, "Umuntu ni Nkundi”, which talks about the desired mutual respect in society.

It is lay song (not gospel), though God is mentioned in one of the verses.

"Gospel artists should be careful when singing such songs, because they can easily be absorbed into secular music overtime,” says Sharon Baine, a Christian from Zion Temple.

She gives an example of Mann Martin, who was once a cerebrated gospel artist but ended up in secular music.

The "Urukumbuzi” singer started going secular with his "Icyo Dupfa ....” single, which preached peace and love in Rwandan society. It sounded a good initiative before he went on to sing about Romance, in "Mazi Magari”, "Amateka” – which is a taboo in the gospel world.

Patrick Nyamitari explains his lay approach as a way of teaching the non-Christians about the Godly values.

"I can never leave salvation, whatsoever,” he says. "Such songs are meant to address critical issues like peace, love, respect, which itself is evangelism in disguise.”

Indeed, some artists like Kirk Franklin and Itani Madima were no strangers to such songs, or working with secular artists. They however kept focus and are still celebrated as great gospel artists.

Whether Patrick Nyamitari will go the Mann Martin way, or do evangelism....., only time will tell.

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