In the faith music sector, where tradition often guides the path, Gaise Baba stands out. Born Akinade Ibuoye, this Afrogospel singer has built a career that merges music with business, culture, and social change. His approach challenges old models, showing how faith-based artists can expand their reach without losing their core message.
Gaise Baba grew up in Nigeria, where he developed a style that mixes Yoruba, English, and Pidgin English. This blend reflects his roots and appeals to a wide audience. He holds a degree in economics and a diploma in music business from Berklee College of Music. These qualifications have helped him view music not just as art, but as a tool for impact.
His work goes beyond songs. He founded LightOut, a program that runs concerts in high schools to address issues like climate action, drug use, cybercrime, and values development. Since starting, LightOut has held 24 events in Lagos State, Ogun State, and Abuja, reaching over 33,000 students. These concerts use music to engage youth in underserved areas.
Gaise Baba also created ARAMANDA, an Afro-Urban Music and Arts Festival. It focuses on alternative Christian sounds and has run six editions in cities like Lagos, Abuja, Bauchi, Kaduna, and Jos. The festival connects young Africans through music and arts, promoting cultural exchange.
His partnerships add to his influence. He works with the German and Netherlands Consulates in Lagos, the British Council, and the Lagos State Office for Climate Change & Circular Economy. These links show how he bridges music with policy and diplomacy.
In March 2024, he launched Black Flame, a podcast that shares stories for young Africans. It covers culture, faith, and innovation. During his 2024 UK tour, he hosted live episodes in Manchester and Birmingham.
That tour marked his international debut. Over six weeks, he headlined at London's Shaw Theatre and performed in Leicester and Aberdeen. The events drew diverse crowds and expanded his global presence.
His single "No Turning Back II," released in May 2025, gained attention. It debuted at No. 16 on the Billboard US Afrobeats Songs chart. It reached No. 1 on YouTube Nigeria for five weeks, No. 2 on YouTube UK and Canada, No. 2 on Shazam Nigeria, No. 1 on iTunes Nigeria, No. 5 on Apple Music Nigeria, No. 2 on YouTube Ghana, and No. 3 on Spotify Nigeria. The two versions of "No Turning Back" have over 12 million Spotify streams.
This success led to performances in school auditoriums in Lagos, Bauchi, Kaduna, and Jos. Fans see him as a leader who stays true to his African heritage while aiming for global stages.
Gaise Baba has upcoming shows: a London tour on September 7, 2025, at the Lighthouse Centre, and a Lagos homecoming for the "No Turning Back" tour in December.
What sets Gaise Baba apart is his business mindset in faith music. Traditional gospel often stays within church circles, but he treats it as a broader industry. He uses platforms like festivals and podcasts to build communities. This approach redefines how faith artists operate, making music a vehicle for social engineering and youth empowerment.
In a recent interview, Gaise Baba shared his view on success. When asked about replicating the chart performance of "No Turning Back II," he said: "I don't think it will be wise to move with a goal of replicating the 'success' of No Turning Back. Of course it will be great to have this level of traction for multiple songs, however one thing is certain - the way this record blew up out of nowhere, no man could have orchestrated it, so no one can take glory for it. What that means as well is that no one should set it as a standard that one is now trying to work towards. Therefore, what I can do is what I've consistently done for many years now - keep evolving while staying authentic to my core, build strong collaborations within & outside my immediate space, and make every track or album release a part of the over-arching goal; Culture Shaping. If a monster hit comes again, great. If not, that will still be fine as long as I'm true to my message and my unique assignment."
This response highlights his strategy: focus on authenticity and long-term goals over chasing hits. He prioritizes culture shaping, which means using music to influence society. This differs from mainstream artists who often aim for viral success. For Gaise Baba, impact comes first.
He also addressed how gospel artists can compete in today's music landscape. "Power on the inside, Steeze on the outside. Especially for Afrogospel acts. So the music style, persona & carriage connects and makes in-roads into uncharted territories, while the substance within, that has been sharpened in the place of consecration then makes the indelible impact in the lives of the listeners & audience."
Here, "power on the inside" refers to spiritual depth, while "steeze" means style and appeal. He suggests faith artists adopt modern looks and sounds to reach new audiences, but keep their message strong. This breaks norms where gospel music might seem outdated.
Gaise Baba's model shows results. His hit single crossed into Afrobeats charts, blending faith with popular genres. This crossover helps faith music gain relevance. By touring internationally and partnering with non-faith organizations, he expands the market.
In Nigeria, where Afrobeats dominates, faith artists like him introduce variety. His use of local languages makes music accessible, while English and Pidgin broaden appeal. This linguistic mix is key to his redefinition.
Business-wise, he leverages education. His Berklee diploma informs decisions on releases, tours, and collaborations. He treats initiatives like LightOut and ARAMANDA as extensions of his brand, creating revenue through events and partnerships.
The podcast Black Flame adds another layer. It positions him as a thought leader, discussing how African creatives engage globally. Live episodes during tours build engagement, turning fans into communities.
Looking ahead, Gaise Baba plans to continue evolving. His upcoming tours will likely include more cities, building on the UK success. Future releases will align with culture shaping, perhaps addressing social issues through music.
Critics note that faith music often struggles with commercialization. Gaise Baba navigates this by staying mission-focused. He avoids diluting his message for profit, instead using business to amplify it.
His influence extends to youth. Through LightOut, he reaches students directly, using concerts for education. This social impact sets a new standard for faith artists.
In Abuja, for example, a LightOut event in 2023 focused on cybercrime. Students heard messages through songs, making lessons memorable. Such programs show music's role in policy.
Partnerships with consulates bring resources. The German Consulate supported a climate-themed concert, linking music to global issues.
ARAMANDA festival grows each year. The London show in March 2024 introduced it to diaspora audiences, potentially leading to more international editions.
Gaise Baba's story inspires other artists. He proves faith music can thrive in business without compromise. By blending economics knowledge with creativity, he builds sustainable models.
As he prepares for September's London show, fans anticipate more. His December Lagos homecoming will celebrate local roots.
In summary, Gaise Baba redefines faith music business through integration. He combines art, education, and partnerships to create impact. His focus on authenticity and culture ensures longevity in a changing industry.