Catching up with Kenny Kore on Life, Love, & Music
If you have heard of the song “Somore” then you would know the man K’ore. Have a lovely time reading through his words of wisdom to upcoming gospel artists.
Can we meet you?
I am Kehinde Olumide Akinbode, popularly known as Kenny K’ore. K’ore is the Yoruba word Kuorire, which means congratulations. I chose congratulations because I believe what we answer to is what eventually shapes our destiny. I am from Abeokuta, Ogun state. I am a Gospel Musician.
What was it like growing up?
Growing up in a working-class family in Nigeria could be very normal, as my experiences wouldn’t be different from millions of other families in the country.
The highlight of it, however, was when I gave my life to Christ at a church service. I can’t remember what the message was about, but the pastor made an altar call, and I went out. I’ve had ups and downs, made mistake common to people of my age. However, I stand a testament to the strong Mercy of God.
What was the reason for the separation of Infinity?
I left Infinity because I was convinced it was what I should do at the time. It didn’t make sense to a lot of people including me, but I was convinced. We took time out to fast and pray with our then Pastor, Pastor Nuel Manufor and eventually decided to let Kenny go.
It’s been six years since leaving the group, and a lot has happened of which you will congratulate me, as God has been oh, so good to me.
Which is your favorite gospel music? Why?
My favorite gospel music is a song I wrote titled “I believe”, it is my favorite because I was able to successfully sing the scriptures, GOD’s word, back to HIM like David did, in such a way that a lot of people have been blessed especially me. Singing scriptures is one of the ways to write timeless pieces of music.
What message do you preach in your songs?
Jesus is at the center of my message. I preach Jesus and Jesus only. Self-help can’t help much. Only the word of GOD and the fellowship we have with the Spirit of the word that can deliver our destiny right at our door steps.
Patriotism, faithfulness in marriage, respect and honor has also featured as topics in my music. The second coming of the Messiah is also a key message in music.
What is the Nigerian gospel music industry like?
In Nigeria today there is a lot of mitigation against the success of gospel music in the mainstream of society, meanwhile the music of a society is the culture of that society, that is why even in the church young people sag their trousers, and the girls wear their style of trouser, and the girls merely copy their favorite musicians.
Gospel music needs more support than it is getting now, yes, things are better than it used to be, but there’s a lot more to be done. The foundation of our children is being carted away into the world because of strange musicians with strange doctrines in their sound.
A lot more Gospel artists need to also know that it isn’t just about the music, that it is more than the melody or rhymes, that while their music can attract, it is their character as true Christians that would eventually inspire the lost souls.
What are the challenges they face? How has been the journey so far?
There isn’t a single functioning none denominational gospel label in this country. The distribution networks are still as epileptic as it could be with artists getting ripped off most times from the benefits of their investments. Thank GOD for events that have singularly made music business lucrative for gospel artists.
Who is the special lady?
Her name is Deborah Akinbode. Over the years I had made a lot of mistakes when it comes to my love life, which at a time, I discovered was greatly influenced by Hollywood. God gave me the grace to make some adjustments hence I put faith forward even now as a married man, and a daddy.
I met my wife by faith, I spoke to her in faith, we got our apartment, car…by faith, and our daughter came to us by faith in GOD’s goodness through our Lord Jesus Christ. I am sure if we keep keeping in faith I and my wife would be role models in the future like Daddy and Mummy Adeboye, even better than them in Jesus Name.
What is your advice to an upcoming artist in the gospel industry?
I call our generation, “THE COPY CAT” generation, especially because of the Nigerian youth who seems to model their lives after almost everything they see on TV and hear on the Radio without given much thought to the philosophies or ideologies behind the new concept or mindset that they are buying into. Yes, the mass populace of Nigerian youths are being well mentored unfortunately by ad mentors, hence the continual decadence of a society of people who otherwise should rule the world.
Success is not a destination, success is not money or fame, success isn’t materialism because Jesus says a man’s life does not consist in a number of things he gathers or owns.
Our Heavenly FATHER placed us all on the earth for a purpose, and even if it takes the whole of our lives, we owe it to ourselves to find what that purpose is and fulfill it. It is then that a man or woman can be said to be truly successful.
*Full interview in Shalom Truths Magazine