I am Richard Shekari, a multifaceted artist and humanitarian based in Abuja, Nigeria. Born on 11 April 1981 in Bauchi, my relationship with music began early in life, long before I fully understood how deeply it would shape my identity. What started as a simple involvement in church would eventually become the foundation of my artistic journey, guiding me through seasons of devotion, rebellion, discovery, and ultimately reconciliation between two very different musical worlds.My earliest musical training came in the early 1990s when I joined the church choir as a tenor. At that age, I did not see it as training or preparation for anything greater. I simply loved the atmosphere of music in the church—the way voices blended together, the way melodies could lift the entire congregation, and the sense that music could carry prayers when words alone seemed insufficient. Singing in the choir taught me discipline, harmony, and attentiveness. I learned how voices could complement each other a
