Our Lagos Reporter
List of Nigerian Gospel Artist
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. Rev. Tugbeh Jackson(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 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, 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) and Osene
Odia-Ighodaro (USA).
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