The producer behind worship anthems like Yeshua and Promise Keeper, Daniel Okoli, professionally known as Holy Drill, has carved out a distinctive space in Nigeria’s Christian music scene, bringing the intensity of drill into worship in a way that feels both bold and deeply spiritual. Over the last few years, he has pushed the boundaries of gospel production while building a philosophy around creativity, stewardship and staying true to the message. Afro Soundtrack spoke with Holy Drill about building a sound without chasing acceptance, why virality should be a byproduct rather than the goal, and what it means to create music that serves both the art and the message.
You do something quite distinct in the Nigerian music space. Your music sits at the intersection of drill and worship. Did you ever worry people wouldn’t accept your sound?
Not really. I’ve always known the audience that would connect with my sound is out there. Once I find those people, I don’t need extra validation from anywhere else. So I’ve never really had that fear of acceptance.
If someone was hearing Holy Drill for the first time, how would you describe your sound?
I would describe it as an experience. An experience that helps the younger generation encounter Christ.
You’ve had several viral moments recently. How have you managed to turn internet attention into a real brand?
By not focusing on virality. Just like the Bible says, when you focus on protecting your life, that’s when you lose it. But when you let go, that’s when you keep it. It’s the same principle. I don’t focus on trying to go viral. I focus on providing value and substance that can stand the test of time. Virality is simply a byproduct of value exchange. If you focus on creating something valuable, the attention follows.
Your definition of success seems very different from what most people chase. What does success mean to you at this stage of your career?
Success, for me, is being able to communicate God’s creative mind through my own creativity and seeing people understand that message and give God the glory. If I can keep growing in that area, I’m good.
You mentioned collaboration. What do you look for before working with another music creator?
The first thing I look for is sincerity of heart. I want to know the person’s relationship with God and where their priorities are. If they’re only focused on streams and money, we’re probably not aligned. But if they’re genuinely interested in expressing creativity and passing the right message across, and the quality is there, then I’m all in.
What’s the biggest challenge of being a Christian music producer today?
Adaptability. The Christian space can be very sensitive, so you have to be careful with the ideas you’re putting out as a creative. It’s not always a space that’s quick to embrace new ideas. Sometimes it takes a while for people to adjust.
Many Christian creators struggle with balancing ministry and business. Have you ever felt pressured to work for free because “it’s the Lord’s work”?
It’s a delicate conversation because every situation is different. I believe it’s up to the person offering the service to understand that what they do requires funding. If you need to charge, it’s not a crime to attach payment to your service. At the same time, if God leads you to do something for free, then do it.
Personally, I’ve never been forced into that situation because I started by serving without making money the priority. Over time, people saw the value I brought, and when you get to that point, people who understand your value don’t even want to work with you without paying for it.
When did you realise you needed to pay more attention to the business side of your music?
When I understood that money isn’t the enemy. The love of money is. The gospel I want to take to the ends of the earth requires funding, so it doesn’t make sense to leave money on the table when God has already blessed me with a gift. As long as the income is legal and comes from the right source, I believe it should go back into the work and help move the message further.
If an independent creator asked whether publishing is worth paying attention to, what would you tell them?
Absolutely. Don’t stay in that naive loophole for too long.
Has joining Afro Soundtrack changed the way you manage your publishing?
Most definitely. It helped me organise my publishing properly. My royalties are now much easier to manage, and I don’t have to worry about sorting everything out myself every single time.
Looking back, is there anything you wish you’d learned earlier?
Learning how to relate with people. Creatives tend to be very independent and introverted. Looking back, I wish I’d learned human relationships much earlier because they’re just as important as the creative side of the work.
What’s one conversation you think the Nigerian Christian music industry needs to have more openly?
I think the Christian creative space needs to become more open to good ideas. We also need stronger structures that can help grow Christian media as a whole, not just music but films and every other form of creative expression. The media is one of the biggest tools for preaching the gospel, so it deserves more attention than we currently give it.
If your career had a title, what would it be?
The Journey With Mercy. God’s mercy has been the sustaining power behind everything I’ve done. He’s the one who’s kept us going, helped us stay productive through every challenge, and continued opening doors. So if I had to give my journey a title, it would simply be The Journey With Mercy.
This interview is part of Afro Soundtrack’s Creator Spotlight series, where African artists, producers, session musicians and songwriters share the stories, lessons and business insights shaping their careers.
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