Guinness Record Holder: Producing My Song Cost Only N200,000

Nseobong Okon-Ekong

Gospel artiste, Donatus Chikadibia Nwaogu, popularly known as St. Chika who was recently listed in the Guinness World Records for the ‘longest Officially Released Song’ has revealed that the song which has fetched him global recognition cost N200,000 to produce.

Nwaogu also argued that officials from the Reference Book did not have to be physically present to verify his achievement.

The record for the ‘longest officially released song’ was previously held by PC III Label Pipe Choir from USA in 2015, but was most recently broken by Dominican Republic rapper Henry G with a 3 hours 26 minutes 22 seconds long song.

Nwaogu set a new world record with his 4 hours, 2 minutes 4 seconds long song titled ‘Power in the Name of the Lord’, breaking the previous record with over 36 minutes.

Writing in an email, Nwaogu said, “you can break a Guinness World Record and send evidence to them for verification. My record is quite easy to verify because it involves publishing the song on digital stores for it to be regarded as officially released. The World Record isn’t just only recording the song but being able to release it. That is why it is called ‘Longest Officially Released Song’ and not ‘Longest Song.”

The artiste said he initially hoped to record a gospel single, which would be 3hrs 30 minutes 50 seconds long but decided to go much longer. The song which features 64 verses was released on digital stores like iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, Deezer, Google Play, Soundcloud and YouTube. The record breaking song will also be released on blogs later in the month.

Nwaogu said his attainment was inspired by the widely reported description of Nigerian youths as lazy by President Muhammadu Buhari. According to the 28-year-old Physics graduate of the University of Lagos, “this is an effort to change such ideology. Nigerian youths aren’t lazy. We are determined, dedicated and most importantly industrious. This song is a souvenir that Nigerian youths are not lazy. I also want to use this to get more Nigerian youths interested in positive things and shun all forms of negative habits. I also want to promote gospel music amongst Nigerian youths.”

The song was produced by Crisace Andrea and Nwaogu. It was recorded at House of Ace Studio in Lagos, Nigeria between May 20 and 24, 2018. Nwaogu was lead vocalist, while back-up vocals was provided by Andrea. For the most part, the song which is a repetition of chorus and hooks is targeted at any worshiper.

Nwaogu said further that he wants people to “know that worshiping God with a single song for four hours is possible and it isn’t even enough. I wish I could do this for 24 hours. Worshiping Jesus should come easy to us as breathing.”

Nwaogu began his gospel music career last August with a debut album, ‘Feel the Gospel’ with the hit single ‘Higher, Higher’ which received four award nominations. He said his career began with him sending voice notes of his performance of one of his hit songs ‘Praise Him’ to his WhatsApp contacts and they encouraged him to record it at a studio.

The new Guinness World Record holder who began singing, playing the instrument and writing his own songs at the age of eight said he intends to use his new status “to launch the brand St. Chika globally. Every artist needs a break and I intend to use this as my big break.”