Empress Gifty Tells Married Female Gospel Singers: Don’t Build Your Brand Around Your Husbands’ Names

Ghanaian gospel musician Empress Gifty has urged married female gospel artistes to establish their own professional identities rather than include their husbands’ names in their stage names.

She shared this advice during an interview with Andy Dosty on Joy Prime, where she discussed some of the challenges and concerns surrounding the gospel music industry.

The award-winning singer disclosed that she is currently working on a book that will address several issues within the industry, including the importance of married female gospel musicians building independent brands that are not tied to their husbands’ identities.

According to Empress Gifty, one of the chapters in the upcoming book, particularly Chapter Eight, focuses on married women who intend to pursue careers in gospel music and the need for them to choose stage names that represent their individual identities.

She explained that female gospel ministers should create names for themselves and use them professionally instead of adopting their husbands’ names as part of their musical identities.

“I’m writing a book, and Chapter 8 of it contains a lot. If you’re a gospel minister and you’re coming into the industry, when you’re married, look for your stage name. Bring out a name for yourself and use it. Don’t use your husband’s name,” she said.

Empress Gifty further explained that using a husband’s name as part of a female musician’s stage identity could become problematic if the marriage eventually ends.

She noted that when a couple separates, the woman may find it difficult to maintain her established musical brand or make changes to it because of its strong association with her former husband.

The musician believes that having a distinct professional identity would help female gospel artistes avoid such complications and ensure that their careers remain stable, irrespective of changes in their marital circumstances.

“Some gospel artistes attach their husbands’ names to their stage names, and when they get separated, it becomes a challenge. But if you use your own name, no matter what happens, the brand is still there,” she added.

Her remarks have drawn attention to the relationship between marriage and professional identity in the gospel music industry, particularly the need for female musicians to build brands that can stand independently of their personal relationships.