Singer and songwriter Seyi Shay has stirred conversation about church and religion after revealing that she left her former church over a church leader’s stance on modern gospel music.

In an Instagram story post, the singer recounted how a church leader discouraged the use of praise and worship songs, insisting the congregation should stick to hymns and songs directly based on scripture.

she asserted that old hymns were rooted in slavery and the oppression of black folks:

"I don’t know how or why you would feel blessed and happy by singing some of the songs that slave owners wrote and forced them to sing and pass down through generations while beating and torturing your ancestors... makes no sense. Do your research! Ignorance is NOT Godly!!!

In a separate post, she clarified that she was not referring to all old hymns and encouraged the use of modern day songs and newly written hymns.

Not ALL hymns were written by slave owners 000! But a lot of them were. In some cases, you’re better off making up your own praise and worship songs/hymns (based on scripture if you prefer)."