Gospel music is a kind of African, motivational Christian music that has become a major part of Nigerian music. In the 1960s the Evangelical Church of West Africa Choir was popular, and in the early 1970s Bola Aare, Sola Rotimi, Good women Choir, Ebenezer Obey and later, Panam Percy Paul, Onyeka Onwenu, Lanre Teriba (ATORISE), Tope Alabi, Asu Ekiye, Keffi, and Sammie Okposo were notable. Also, in the early 1970s & 80s Arch Bishop Benson Idahosa‘s choir, The Christian Redeemed Voices were known for their gospel sound. He the late Bishop, would purchase instruments for the choir and each one of them would be mastered by skillful musicians. The Bishop would challenge his student pastors and young adult church members to pick up instruments and play them. Play them…they did, no training only the gift of God deposited and called out by the Bishop. There was a lady by the name of Minister Dorothy James (Evangel Temple, USA) and Rev. David Mporampora(Uganda)they transformed gospel music in West Africa. Nigeria in particular. I would say without a doubt, they laid the foundation of the sound we now hear. Many students were from other West African nations and they took that sound and passion for Gospel music back with them. Jackson Tugbeh (Liberia), now (Lagos) Rev. Lesley Tex (Ghana) were students and a part of the influence.
The Arts, the worship dance saw its start in Africa in the Church of God Mission. Thanks to Arch Bishop Idahosa who was open to all God had for his people, the gospel sound would never be the same. The fusion in music and the gospel he bought to Africa is still amazing.
A number of gospel artistes have released albums that are quite commendable such as Ty Bello, AMAA (Abimbola Awolumate’s Everlasting Arms), Foluke Umosen, Soji Israel, Segun Obe, Samsong among others. Artistes like Rooftop MCs, The Bossman, BOUQUI, Frank Edwards[1] and Segun Ogundeko(The Lord’s trumpeter) are also very well known for their gospel hip hop styles. They have released singles and albums that have won several awards.
Besides the above mentioned gospels artistes, we have some others who have made national and international impact. They include: Kunle Ajayi, Buchi, Sinachi, Yetunde Are among others. There are also some notable church choirs that have distinguished themselves especially with contemporary music. Worthy of mentioning is Oyo Province 4 Mass choir of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Jesus Embassy, Christ Embassy, Oke Bola – Ibadan, Nigeria.
Also, there are many Nigerian gospel artists based in other parts of the world whose music has a strong influence on Nigerians, home and abroad. Such artists include Jide Arowolo (UK), Dayo Bello (UK), David Ojo (USA), Funmi Williams (UK), [1] Oluwakemi (UK), Gbenga Wise (USA), Martin Adu (Netherland) Peter Onu De-Nice (Germany), Osene Odia-Ighodaro (USA) and el Mafrex (UK) who recently got nominated for the 2012 MOBO Awards.[2]
Best Nigerian Gospel Artists
Now Christian rock artistes like Frank Edwards, Joe Praise and Eben are joining the forum of Good gospel artistes. Frank Edwards which is the hottest of them all and can be called the best gospel artiste in Nigeria for now is making waves with his music as he brings people to another dimension of rock and worship with his songs. Nigeria’s Gospel music is still rising fast with the emergence of gospel artistes like Psalm Ebube, Tb one, to mention a few.
Coming up hot in the industry is the family oriented team known as Grateful Family, featuring Architects Chidi and Erica Nwanyanwu. Based in the North American City of Toronto, the Economic nerve center of Canada, these two God loving entrepreneurs with an enormous time schedule have mastered the art of balancing Business and society life, with Christian ministry. Their twelve track record album billed for release in early January of 2014 promises to be a bombshell and will take the Nigerian gospel music industry by storm. Here is a sample of their song on youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geUEiPqOMq8
Their venture into the gospel music industry is for two reasons, one, to be able to tell the story of their salvation and their life journey. Two, is to raise funds and awareness to support their project “COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER” to be built in several locations in Nigeria Africa.This is a project initiated under their Canada based (Government registered) non-for-profit organisation, “MY ROOTS FOUNDATION” -Source: Wikipedia
Listed here or not, Who is your favourite?
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