“I’m Tired of the Hypocrisy” – Joseph Matthew Fires Back at Critics Over Romantic Hit “Love in You”

UK-based Ghanaian gospel powerhouse Joseph Matthew has once again ignited passionate debate across the Christian music scene with his March release “Love in You”.

In the song, Joseph pours out heart-melting vows of loyalty and sacrifice to his beloved, promising to fight every storm and prove his love “till the end of time.” For many fans, it’s a beautiful celebration of covenant love. For others, it crosses the invisible line of what Joseph Matthew stands for. But Joseph Matthew is not backing down.

In an explosive exclusive interview, Joseph Matthew laid it all bare:

“I’m tired of people thinking there’s a manual for gospel artistes to follow. This holier-than-thou attitude is breeding hypocrisy in the industry. We crucify Empress Gifty for being herself and call her controversial. We did the same to me.

In Ghana, if you don’t fit the old mould khaki suit, tie, and organ-backed chorus, you’re automatically ‘worldly.’ How does being authentic and versatile make me controversial? I don’t need controversy to survive. I just need to be me.”

This is far from Joseph Matthew’s first clash with tradition. When he burst onto the scene in 2021 with his signature Afro-Gospel sound which blends high-energy Afrobeats rhythms with unapologetic praise – many Ghanaian gatekeepers dismissed him as “too secular.”

Yet today, that same style has birthed a new generation of artistes: Evans Scott, Kneeded, Kingzkid, and others now dominate playlists and concerts, proving Joseph was simply ahead of the curve.

Beyond defending Love in You, Joseph Matthew is challenging the entire Ghanaian gospel industry to wake up:

“We’re too restrictive. Try something fresh and they slap a label on you. How are we supposed to reach the world if we stay trapped in our church bubbles, afraid to even greet a non-believer?

It’s frowned upon for gospel artistes to collaborate with secular acts. Tell me, how did Jesus reach Zacchaeus, the woman at the well, or Matthew the tax collector? He went where they were!”

With global hits like “Halleluyah”, “Nyame Ye”, “My Story”, and “Blessed”, Joseph has consistently proven that music can be both deeply spiritual and culturally relevant, comforting the broken, inspiring the faithful, and reaching souls beyond the four walls of the church.

For Joseph Matthew, “Love in You” isn’t just a song,  it’s a statement. It’s a declaration that love whether directed toward God or expressed through the covenant of marriage is holy, powerful, and worth singing about without apology.

As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: Joseph Matthew is not here to conform. He’s here to transform and if history is anything to go by, the Ghanaian gospel industry will eventually catch up just like it did with Afro-Gospel.

Stream “Love in You” today and decide for yourself: