Contemporary Gospel Music in Nigeria; good or bad?

Gospel music is known as a genre of christian music, although both are sometimes used interchangeably in the same context. Christian music itself is an all encompassing term for all things music under the christian umbrella, and since the 20th century christian music has evolved and is now placed in terms of genres and sub-genres.

Individual interpretations, techniques, styles,  context, themes and other factors have been used to show a subtle yet distinct division among Gospel music's various genres and sub genres. Some of these genres include, country music, christian pop, christian rock, christian hip hop, christian alternative rock, christian R&B, and many more.

Over in West Africa, in Nigeria specifically,  you'd notice that not everyone acknowledges or even distinguishes christian music into genres, especially it's "consumers", and it's more popularly referred to as Gospel music. Genres are neatly folded and tucked under the term Gospel music, and Christian artistes are known as gospel artistes or gospel musicians, the term Christian music isn't entirely neglected though as both terms are mostly used interchangeably.

And due to this reason we'll be using the term Gospel music more often in today's post.

Gospel music has undergone many changes throughout the years, in fact its safe to say that the gospel songs of twenty years ago are considerably different, in fact too different if the older generation had anything to say about it, and with the invasion of new and contemporary ideas into our everyday life, and Gospel music has not been left out, and this has led the younger and more savvy generation of artistes to come up with new ways of making gospel music more entertaining and receptive with growing demands.

Now to understand the meaning and true nature of what the new form of Gospel music known as contemporary Gospel music is all about let's look at a simple definition.

Wikipedia defines Urban/Contemporary gospel as;

''Urban/contemporary gospel is a modern form of Christian music that expresses either personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music. Musically, it follows the trends in secular urban 

contemporary music.''

Leading International Contemporary Gospel artistes include, multi-award winning artiste Donnie McClurkin, thirteen-time Grammy award winning artiste, Kirk Franklin, ''Queen of Contemporary Gospel Music'' Yolanda Adams,  ''Crown Prince of Gospel'' John P. Kee, controversial artiste Vickie Winans and others.

Contemporary Gospel music in Nigeria has come under so much criticism, some positive and others negative, a few of these issues will be discussed in today's post, and because of this a few intelligent and talented individuals will be airing their views on Contemporary Gospel music in Nigeria, airing their views on the questions- Is gospel music underrated and why do we have youths constantly transitioning from gospel to secular music?

General Thoughts On Gospel Music in Nigeria:

Content creator Ugwunne Oluchi writes,

Gospel music in Nigeria has really been edifying. It has gone from those motionless beats to something that has life in it. The gospel music has come to stay. Right now we have raps, hip Hop and all manner of gospel artistes. We even have a Gospel spoken words poetry raging with full force. We now have gospel music shows and concerts which feature a lot of artists. For example THE EXPERIENCE concert held every year by the House On The Rock Church is a WOW!!! Altogether, I've come to say that the future is bright for the gospel music. We would get there!!!

 

Writer and Blogger Joseph_cjc writes,

 Gospel music goes beyond what we saw in times past. We are in the jet age where things are on the fast lane. Things are Vacillating, what was really a trend today isn't. The Gospel music is not in the dimension of swerve. What "was" is still "is". We tend to visit the past flow of the gospel genre, we trace back to Western Artiste such as Ron Kenoly, Jim Reeves, Kirk Franklin, Lionel Peterson, etc. These are revolutionaries that took much hold of the gospel bar in time past and before this present generation's adaptation of things called trends, they were so Magical. The Nigerian gospel environment is such a beauty. While growing, We were accustomed to our ethnical appreciation, that's our language songs; the unending vibes of our parent's playlist; My setting is of the Igbo background, We were awakened by The Dynamite, "Akanchawa" crooner by Princess Njideka & Prince Gozie, Jesus Ma Ma Wun by Blessed Samuel, Ngozi Chukwu, Chioma Jesus, Chinyere Udoma, Sammie Okpose, Buchi, etc. These are days we cherish and find annoying .In this contemporary days, We are in line with fresh motivators called Ministers. Nigeria is filled with bright ministers of the gospel music who constantly shake Africa and the world whenever their music's are being played. Examples of this contemporary Artiste; Frank Edward, Eben, Joepraise, Sinach, Mid Night Crew, Mike Abdul, Kenny Kore, Tim Godfrey & The Xtreme Dynasty, Nathaniel Bassey, Tope Alabi, Victoria Orenze, Nosa, Folabi Nuel, Onos Ariyo, Efe Nathan, Lawrence & de'covenant, Samsong, Chris Delvan, Chris Morgan, Theophilus Sunday, Lawrence Oyor, etc. These are Ministers of the Gospel as they preferred to be called. They have been able to coin and work out diverse impossibilities in music, making it to look beautiful and possible. Tim Godfrey came out with a major hit of "Agidigba" that took the whole of Nigeria into uproar and elation. The rudiment in the sound was pure hip hop.

Let's Talk Issues

IS GOSPEL MUSIC UNPOPULAR/UNDERRATED OR IS THERE SOMETHING ELSE AT PLAY?

Music Artiste Chi-Sings writes,

I won't say unpopular, with the country having 49 percent Christians its easier to assume so and even at that gospel music in Nigeria is a bit wide spread and still growing. Although there's a dwindling percentage of gospel musicians in Nigeria and even less in the ''upcoming'' zone.

IS THE NOTION THAT THERE'S NO MONEY IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY TRUE?

Chi-Sings writes,

 Not really, there's more of a lack of passion, fear of fitting in and being judged for little foxes and secret faults. There's actually money in Gospel music, mainly the focus point should be God, cause it's gospel, and letting him help you reach out to people in melody.

THE CONSTANT TRANSITION OF YOUNG ARTISTE'S FROM GOSPEL TO SECULAR MUSIC, IS IT TRUE AND WHY?

Chi Sings writes,

  Obviously there's a constant transition of young artist from gospel music to secular music, most secular artist started their music from the church Some even hail from Christian homes, and have pastor-parents, and above all The society has painted a picture on gospel music which is; you have to be really upright and spotless to be a gospel musician. Meanwhile God calls on all who are heavy laden to come. David in the Bible had faults and notable sins he also wrote a lot of songs, the fear in society now is being judge by your hair style, Fashion sense and the likes. Recently an evangelist called out popular Gospel artist Mercy Chinwo  for what he claimed was her ''nudity''. Everyone at some point stops to give God praise Irrespective of tribe, religion and all but the big deal is fear of being judged or rejected, Cause maybe you have a not so good past Or your present does not satisfy the audience.

 

 Oluchi writes,

This is really why I think the secular music has more stake in the music industry than the gospel music; The gospel music firstly were made up of hymns and songs which were more for reflection and soberness. But then it began to evolve into what we see now. This evolution started mostly with the Christ Embassy before we started seeing here and there. But still, these songs are being limited sometimes, because of their beats, because of their lyrics and because good things are rarely appreciated. On the other hand, the secular music is apt. The beats are superb and it has in store all manner of lyrics that lures the youth or our generation. The secular music makes sales because it's used almost every where. It's used in clubs, parties, weddings, commercials, burials, t.v, radio other than the gospel song that's barely played in church and few places at some odd hours of the day. So most musicians who venture into music especially for the purpose of making profits as soon as possible, go for the secular music where lyrics which do not edify are easy to write. Where drugs, sex , women and greed are always encouraged. But then having both the gospel and secular music gives us a balanced world.

Ardent reader John West writes,

 I believe there's a constant rise in the world of secular music. Gospel artists rarely enjoy mainstream media, the larger society appreciates the tune of secular vibes, hence the incessant transition.  In addition, fame and fortune are primarily the target of those who cross over to the music world occupied by secular artists.

 Our writers have spoken, now whats's your take on today's issue? Let's talk in the comment section, we'd like to hear your views on contemporary Gospel music in Nigeria. Tell us what you think and you stand a chance to be featured in our next post on Gospel music. 

More issues coming up;

1. Contemporary Gospel music or past Gospel music , what's your take?
2. What really is secular music?

Meet our writers for today,

Nnamdi Chukwuma Charles Joseph AKA Joseph_cjc, is a writer, blogger and lover of Alte + westernized gospel, he is also an Author at @Talkish.

Ugwunne Oluchi Pretty; is a prolific reader, writer, content creator and blogger @realrarebeautiful

Chi-sings, is a musical artiste and ardent speaker on all things music.

John West, is a fashion entrepreneur and social contributor.

Thank you and stay safe.

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