Shei Atkins

So, I was on charismamag.com, and I came across an article where gospel artist Shei Atkins announced that she was leaving the gospel music arena and would be soon releasing an R&B debut. Atkins gave as the reason for her departure from gospel music as being that the church is too judgemental.

Personally, I enjoyed Shei's music. The article stated that while some of her songs got airplay, gospel radio wouldn't play certain songs because they felt that they were too "controversial". For example, the song below, "Temptations", many stations thought it was too controversial to play on the radio.



I like "Temptations". Would I play it during a worship service? No. Why? Because I don't feel that it's the place to play "Temptations". I would play this song in my house, or while I was riding down the street. I feel that the song is a reminder to stay pure and to please God.

With that being said, it's one thing to be discouraged by naysayers. I can't speak to whether it's a situation where some people were being Pharisaical in their approach, or if Shei couldn't receive correction/counsel. Either way, to go sing R&B music is not the solution to the situation.

The main thing that bothered me, though, was the following quote from Shei:

Now, three years since her last album debuted, Atkins is releasing a secular album—her fourth—titled Emotional. Her new album allows her to freely minister the way she feels God is leading her, without limitations, she says.

I can't, for the life of me, figure out how she's going to be freer to "minister" in the R&B arena. The Bible says that where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty; the Spirit of the Lord is not in R&B arena, so how would she be freer to "minister"??? No conprendo...

I just pray that Shei Atkins would find a way to withstand naysayers and/or receive sound counsel, and that she'll return to gospel.