Ghanaian gospel artiste Sonnie Badu has revealed that he was homeless and sleeping in cars in London when he wrote his breakthrough song Baba (also known as Open the Floodgates).
Speaking on Starr Chat with Bola Ray on Starr 103.5 FM, Sonnie Badu recounted the difficult period in his life that inspired the popular worship anthem.
According to him, he was facing severe hardship at the time and turned to God for divine intervention.
“When I came up with Open the Floodgates, I was in a place where it’s either left or right… God, You’ve got to do something,” he said.
Badu disclosed that while living in London, he had no stable accommodation and was forced to sleep in cars. “I was homeless in London. I was sleeping in cars,” he revealed.
The award-winning gospel minister said he had specifically prayed to God for one life-changing song, drawing inspiration from his mentor, Lionel Peterson.
He recalled advice from his mentor, Lionel Peterson, who told him that one powerful song could be enough to transform his life and ministry.
“He told me, ‘Son, all you need in your life is one song. You just need one song to break through,’” Badu stated.
Sonnie Badu explained that Peterson’s own success story significantly influenced his musical journey, as he sought to emulate his mentor’s breakthrough.
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He further noted similarities between Baba and Peterson’s well-known song Peace, suggesting that his mentor’s guidance played a role in shaping the song.
According to Badu, Baba became a defining moment in his career and helped open doors not only for him but also for many young African gospel musicians over the years.
The gospel artiste credited the song with becoming a major force in Ghana’s gospel music scene, describing it as a turning point in his rise to prominence.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
