onuhabel1:
Prospa ochimana the crooner of Ekwueme

. Very good choice...

Skillz Duru;

The Nigerian Gospel Music has been making major hits and headlines in recent years than ever before as Gospel music/artistes are gaining more and more recognition for their good works both locally and internationally. So it’s safe to say that the Gospel Music Industry have been riding high with a lot of new talented artistes joining forces with established heavyweights, as top charting records have been released under this genre of music.


Nigerian Gospel artistes have been making major impacts both here in the Nigerian markets and in the International scene as some of our Gospel artistes have done some international collaborations that we thought was impossible some
years ago, most notably of them all is Frank Edwards collaborating with Don Moen on not just a track, but on an entire album titled “GRACE”.


In this our very first post, we would be looking at 20 Nigerian Gospel Artistes who have been doing very well for themselves and as well, been blessing us with soul lifting and message-full gospel songs.
NB: This list is in no particular arrangement whatsoever and is based on fans opinions.

Here we go…
1. FRANK EDWARDS also known as Frank RichBoy: This young man’s name will most definitely be mentioned if I were to ask you to list out your top 5 gospel artistes. He has been around for quite a long time now, blessing God with his God’s given talent. His real name is Frank Ugochukwu Edwards, born July, 22 1989. He is the founder and owner of the record label “Rocktown Records”, he is a singer, song writer, sound engineer, producer and a multi-instrumentalist. Some of his award winning songs are; You too dey bless me ft. TB1 | Oghene Doh | Okaka | Under the canopy | Mma Mma | Olore e.t.c
2. SINACH: Her real name is Osinachi Kalu and she is most times referred to as the First Lady of Nigerian Gospel Music because of her globally-known hit songs and vocal prowess. She is a multi-award winning gospel singer and song writer. She was listed as one of the top 100 influential Christians in Nigeria by YNaija for her outstanding contributions to spreading the gospel. Some of her hit singles are; WayMaker | I Know Who I Am | Great Are You Lord | Awesome God | Simply Devoted e.t.c
3. NATHANIEL BASSEY: He is actually one of my favourite Nigerian Gospel Musicians. This guy is simply awesome; he is a song writer, a gospel artiste, an instrumentalist (a very good trumpeter). He is a passionate worshipper whose passion for music have grown deep and given birth to soul-lifting songs that sends cold down your spine each time you hear him sing. He came up with ‘Book of Life’ and I for one thought that that was all he could offer, but he presently seats at the very top of most of his colleagues. Some of his songs are; Book Of Life | Olowogbogboro ft. Wale Adenuga | Onishe Iyanu | You Are God | Wonderful Wonder e.t.c
4. ADA EHI: Ada Ogochukwu Ehi, simply known by her stage name ADA, is a beautiful, Nigerian born singer/songwriter. In 2017, she was listed in YNaija’s list of “100 most influential Christian Personalities in Nigeria”. She professionally started her music career under Loveworld Records in 2009, she has since then increasingly gained local and international popularity through her well delivered works. Most notable of her songs are; I Overcame | Testimonies | Only You Jesus | Jesus (You Are Able) | In Your Name e.t.c
5. TOPE ALABI: She is a Nigerian Gospel Singer, Actress and Movie soundtrack composer. She was formerly a member of the Jesters International Comedy Group, before she later worked with other popular stage theater groups in Lagos and Ibadan then she ventured into the Yoruba movie scenes. When she later became a born-again Christian, she switched fully into the music industry, Gospel music to be precise. She is a multiple award winner with so many power-packed, soulful songs. Some of her works includes; Mo Mope Mi Wa | Angeli Mi | Mimo L’oluwa | Agbelebu | Eru Ogo e.t.c
6. SAMSONG: He was born Samson Uche Mogekwu and hails from Delta State. He is a Nigerian Gospel Singer, Songwriter and Minister. He has blessed his fans with radio hits like “Bianule”. He was the founder of the now defunct gospel group called ‘the Praise Creation’. He continued as a solo artiste and had since then, gone on to win countless awards to the glory of God. Some of his songs are; Turn Me Around | Odogwu | If God Is Dead | Wekobiro e.t.c
7. LARA GEORGE: She is a singer, songwriter, recording artiste, producer and real estate agent in the USA. She was a member of the now defunct group known as ‘KUSH’ which included Dapo Torimiro, TY Bello and others. Her debut album “Forever in my Head” released in 2008, which mothers hit song “Ijoba Orun” earned her several awards and nominations. Some of her songs are; Ijoba Orun | Dansaki Re | Ko Le Baje | Ko Ma Si e.t.c
8. SAMMIE OKPOSO: He is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Gospel artiste. He is a music producer, entertainment consultant, psalmist and CEO of Zamar Entertainment. He started his music career in far back 1992 as a sound track producer before he later ventured into full time music production and he has produced hits for some of the biggest names in the Nigerian music scene. His hit song titled ‘Welu Welu’ was a mega hit among the oldies back in the days and we still groove to it till this day. His live performances are very electrifying as he and his band (D X Generation) have their way to make even the most broken man dance and sweat. Some of his songs are mixtures of various popular praise songs, but he also did have his own original songs. They include; Welu Welu | Oluwa E Tobi | Sing Your Praise | Naija Praise
9. YINKA AYEFELE (MON): He is a Nigerian music producer and gospel singer. He began his music career in 1997 after he was involved in a ghastly automobile accident which damaged his spine and confined him unto a wheelchair. He has received well over 200 awards for his musical works. He currently has over 20 musical albums with great songs. Some of his songs are; Everlasting Grace | Goodness Of God | Fresh Glory | Lift Him Up amongst others.

Other notable names are;
10. CHRIS MORGAN
11. MONIQUE
12. EBENEZER OBEY
13. BENITA
14. JOE PRAIZ
15. CHINYERE UDOMA
16. BUCHI
17. LANRE TERIBA
18. STEVE CROWN
19. CHIOMA JESUS
20. PRINCE GOZIE OKEKE

Feel free to add up your own favourite Gospel artistes you think deserves a place on this list. Be Blessed!!!

Source - KingdomBase

Gospel music in Nigeria is currently witnessing a steady rise in popularity and general acceptance and has also recorded successful accomplishments that were an ‘impossible task’ in past years. A typical example of this is shown in collaborations between our very own gospel artistes in Nigeria and those in the foreign scenes.

Sadly, Gospel Hip Hop (gospel rap to be precise), have not been so easily accepted due to so many reasons best known to gospel music lovers. The gospel rap music in Nigeria has suffered instability, uncertainty and low general acceptance. A quick survey I conducted among few minister-friends of mine as to why ‘Rap Gospel Music’ is not as accepted as the popular slow-tempo’ed style of gospel music (that is, if there is any word like that) shows that we need to stop listening to the high pitched beats and quickness of the lyrics, and start listening to its message in the words.

Below are some of the answers I got, and I think you’ve equally heard some of these reasons too as to why Gospel Rap is not spirit moving.

· The beat does not allow us to concentrate on the signs of the Holy Spirit.
· When youths start doing their rap, they start dressing indecently.
· Rap music is a genre from the pit of hell.
· Rappers are very rude, so we don’t allow gospel rap among our youths.
· We cannot hear and understand what they are saying when they rap.
· It doesn’t move the Spirit in us.
· It does not glorify God.
· It is a worldly style of music, so it shouldn’t be used to make gospel music.


In reality, if Gospel Rap is done rightly and correctly, it will blow your mind when you settle to listen to its lyrics word-for-word. Gospel Hip Hop is a genre that is meant to inspire, motivate, enlighten, bless us and shuns us away from every violence, drug, cultism, crime, etc.

This is a call for churches, gospel event planners, pastors, ministers, leaders, NGO’s and parents to support the Gospel Hip Hop artistes, as they are also in the battle against the kingdom of hell with their own crafts and talents. We as Christians can create something beautiful if we give these hardworking talents the listening ear they so much crave for. It could also be an avenue to prevent them from falling out of the Heavenly race due to frustrations, embarrassments and low self-esteem, as well as grooming the younger ones who believes they are blessed with the ability to make impactful Gospel Hip Hop music.

Just recently, popular Gospel singer Tasha Cobbs Leonard featured Nicki Minaj in her latest album in a song titled “I’m getting ready”, and the song came out pretty well and inspiring. The first time I heard that song, I had goose-bumps as I was surprised to hear Nicki Minaj giving glory to God. I got inspired to do something of that nature too, but that is a plan you all are going to wait to see/hear.

The Church is our home, and it’s the only place most of us can actualize our dreams. Let me take the liberty to list out a few Nigerian Gospel Hip-Hop musicians.
RYMSTA RAY
GAMIE
GIL JOE
LIMO BLAZE
DaBOOMSHA
GR8MAN TAKITI
NOLLY
PROVABS
YUNG KURT
4RUNNER

Source - KingdomBase