Nigerian gospel
Encyclopedia
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 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), http://www.oluwakemimusic.com Oluwakemi (UK), Gbenga Wise (USA), Martin Adu (Netherland) Peter Onu De-Nice (Germany) and Osene Odia-Ighodaro (USA).
Now Christian rock artistes like Frank Edwards, Joe Praise and Eben are joing 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.
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
is a kind of African, motivational Christian music
Christian music
Christian music is music that has been written to express either personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life and faith. Common themes of Christian music include praise, worship, penitence, and lament, and its forms vary widely across the world....
that has become a major part of Nigerian music
Music of Nigeria
The music of Nigeria includes many kinds of Folk and popular music, some of which are known worldwide. Styles of folk music are related to the multitudes of ethnic groups in the country, each with their own techniques, instruments, and songs...
. In the 1960s the Evangelical Church of West Africa
Evangelical Church of West Africa
The Evangelical Church of West Afria now called Evangelical Church Winning All is one of the largest Church denominations in Nigeria, reaching about five million people. ECWA is a partner church of the international Christian Mission Organisation: Serving In Mission...
Choir was popular, and in the early 1970s Bola Aare, Sola Rotimi, Good women Choir, Ebenezer Obey
Ebenezer Obey
Ebenezer Obey , nicknamed the "Chief Commander," is a Nigerian pop musician.- Biography :Obey, whose full name is Ebenezer Remilekun Aremu Olasupo Obey-Fabiyi, was born in Idogo, Ogun State, Nigeria of Egba-Yoruba ethnic background. He is of the Owu subgroup of the Egba. He began his professional...
and later, Panam Percy Paul, Onyeka Onwenu
Onyeka Onwenu
Onyeka Onwenu is a Nigerian singer, actress and politician. In 2006 she won the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a supporting role. She is currently the chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture.-Filmography:...
, Lanre Teriba (ATORISE), Tope Alabi
Tope Alabi
Tope Alabi, also known as Ore ti o common, and as Gbo Jesu, is a multi-platinum Nigerian Gospel Singer, film music composer and actor....
, Asu Ekiye, Keffi
Keffi
Keffi is a Local Government Area in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Keffi.It has an area of 138 km² and a population of 92,664 at the 2006 census.The postal code of the area is 961.- Education :...
, and Sammie Okposo were notable. Also, in the early 1970s & 80s Arch Bishop Benson Idahosa
Benson Idahosa
Benson Andrew Idahosa affectionately called PAPA or BA by his followers, was a Charismatic Pentecostal preacher, and founder of the Church of God Mission International with headquarters in Benin City, Nigeria . As the first Pentecostal archbishop in Nigeria, he was renowned for his robust faith....
'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
Jackson Tugbeh
Jackson Tugbeh is a Liberian preacher, worship leader and radio personality based in Lagos, Nigeria. He is also a busy social activist, reaching out to refugees in Liberia, and bringing social awareness to the ravages left by the war in the country...
(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
Samsong
Samsong is an award winning Nigerian gospel artist, based in Abuja, Nigeria. He has had a successful recording career with radio hits like Bianule, and a handful of accolades such as The Psalmist Award in 2000, and recently being nominated as "best Gospel Artist" by Nigerian Entertainment Awards ...
among others.
Artistes like Rooftop MCs, The Bossman, BOUQUI, Frank Edwards 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), http://www.oluwakemimusic.com Oluwakemi (UK), Gbenga Wise (USA), Martin Adu (Netherland) Peter Onu De-Nice (Germany) and Osene Odia-Ighodaro (USA).
Now Christian rock artistes like Frank Edwards, Joe Praise and Eben are joing 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.