Let's Start with the Good...
1. More albums from African gospel music artists indicates growth.
Is the culture of unleashing singles going to end soon? No. Do I love singles? Yes. Is releasing singles before an album the "IN" thing? Yes.
But what pleased me more is that although most artists are releasing singles, they are but projects towards an album.
NB: There is a threefold advantage when an artist releases an album instead of endless singles: (a) Some people will only buy albums. Period. So in order to reach and sell them music, make an album. (b) An album gives you selling power: not for the money but for people to understand that you're here to stay. (c) Albums also help people/reviewers (like myself) to analyse your music style and conclude where to classify you as a whole under genre placement.
1. More albums from African gospel music artists indicates growth.
Is the culture of unleashing singles going to end soon? No. Do I love singles? Yes. Is releasing singles before an album the "IN" thing? Yes.
But what pleased me more is that although most artists are releasing singles, they are but projects towards an album.
NB: There is a threefold advantage when an artist releases an album instead of endless singles: (a) Some people will only buy albums. Period. So in order to reach and sell them music, make an album. (b) An album gives you selling power: not for the money but for people to understand that you're here to stay. (c) Albums also help people/reviewers (like myself) to analyse your music style and conclude where to classify you as a whole under genre placement.
2. There were more visiting artists and more live concerts.
Nairobi has been aflame with visiting worship leaders and teams: Israel Houghton, Don Moen, Lenny LeBlanc, Donnie McClurkin, Pastor Marvin Winans, Hillsong UNITED, Sinach (was there at the end of 2016)... This list is endless.
Nairobi has been aflame with visiting worship leaders and teams: Israel Houghton, Don Moen, Lenny LeBlanc, Donnie McClurkin, Pastor Marvin Winans, Hillsong UNITED, Sinach (was there at the end of 2016)... This list is endless.
3. More refined and well-thought covers and acoustics.
I loved the acoustic covers and covers of various popular songs done by the likes of Alice Kimanzi and Kanjii. (I'll talk about the negative impact of this on upcoming artists though, down below.)
Also, check out people like Zoe Grace, Tommee Profitt and Brooke Griffith e.t.c. and prove me right.
NB: Tanzanians seemed to make covers upon covers of Paul Clement's AMENIFANYIA AMANI. It's such a great song by the way.
I loved the acoustic covers and covers of various popular songs done by the likes of Alice Kimanzi and Kanjii. (I'll talk about the negative impact of this on upcoming artists though, down below.)
Also, check out people like Zoe Grace, Tommee Profitt and Brooke Griffith e.t.c. and prove me right.
NB: Tanzanians seemed to make covers upon covers of Paul Clement's AMENIFANYIA AMANI. It's such a great song by the way.
4. Secular artists turning to the Gospel.
Wahu and CeCe Sagini converting to Christianity was impressive, wasn't it?
Wahu and CeCe Sagini converting to Christianity was impressive, wasn't it?
5. Collabos with other local and international artists.
Notice the following collaborations:
Mercy Masika with Angel Bernard.
Christina Shusho with with Mireille Bariswa.
Evelyn Wanjiru with Tembalami.
The controversial Willy Pozzee with Alaine.
Notice the following collaborations:
Mercy Masika with Angel Bernard.
Christina Shusho with with Mireille Bariswa.
Evelyn Wanjiru with Tembalami.
The controversial Willy Pozzee with Alaine.
6. Lots of creativity.
Did you guys watch the Joyous Celebration 21: Heal Our Land (2017) and ZimPraise's Pentecost Season 9 live DVDs? Meehn, I love what they did to the venues for their live recordings.
Then, there has been lots of positive influence from songs and dance moves: Bazokizo (although old), Zigwembe and Odi are all amazing creations from talented people.
I can't even begin to talk on how song after song was unique in its own way last year.
Did you guys watch the Joyous Celebration 21: Heal Our Land (2017) and ZimPraise's Pentecost Season 9 live DVDs? Meehn, I love what they did to the venues for their live recordings.
Then, there has been lots of positive influence from songs and dance moves: Bazokizo (although old), Zigwembe and Odi are all amazing creations from talented people.
I can't even begin to talk on how song after song was unique in its own way last year.
7. Christian rap is coming of age now (not that it wasn't but because we are noticing an increasing general acceptance in mainstream media, and we are grateful).
Big up to the likes of Lecrae and NF for making this real. We bless the Lord for them. And, guys, is Chance the Rapper Christian? Alright, hands down!
Big up to the likes of Lecrae and NF for making this real. We bless the Lord for them. And, guys, is Chance the Rapper Christian? Alright, hands down!
8. 2017 can be marked as the year when gospel music legends made a come-back...
Everyone in this list made a come-back either with their own album or were featured in an album: Darlene Zschech, Don Moen, Jaci Velasquez, KJ-52, CeCe Winans, Amy Grant, Henri Mutuku...
Everyone in this list made a come-back either with their own album or were featured in an album: Darlene Zschech, Don Moen, Jaci Velasquez, KJ-52, CeCe Winans, Amy Grant, Henri Mutuku...
9. There were moments in 2017 too...
(a) Like when Travis Greene and R&B belle
Chrisette Michele took the stage for President Trump’s Inaugural Ball in January 2017.
(b) Kambua Mathu Manundu was named Darling’s hair brand ambassador.
(c) Teddy and Tina Campbell (of Mary Mary) opened a YouTube channel by the name "10 Minutes With Teddy And Tina", where they share their perspective on Life Love, Faith, and Family.
(d) Hillsong opened a church in Israel... And The Hillsong Channel is now live by the way.
(e) Hezekiah Walker, landed a $80 million project with New York City, to put low income housing and senior living on property he owns.
(f) J Moss and his wife Melanie Moss opened a church! Wee!
(g) Jacky B got engaged, Mr. T got married and Joe Praize got hitched too.
(h) Tasha Cobbs and Kenneth Leonard tied the knot in a private ceremony.
(i) Nathaniel Bassey did something very impressive around May and June 2017 with that hashtag #Olowogboboro. Great stuff.
(j) Chris Tomlin and Nashville's Church of the City Senior Pastor Darren Whitehead celebrated the release of their new book, "Holy Roar: 7 Words That Will Change the Way You Worship"; a book on worship that
offers a fresh perspective on the worship practices of the ancient world.
(a) Like when Travis Greene and R&B belle
Chrisette Michele took the stage for President Trump’s Inaugural Ball in January 2017.
(b) Kambua Mathu Manundu was named Darling’s hair brand ambassador.
(c) Teddy and Tina Campbell (of Mary Mary) opened a YouTube channel by the name "10 Minutes With Teddy And Tina", where they share their perspective on Life Love, Faith, and Family.
(d) Hillsong opened a church in Israel... And The Hillsong Channel is now live by the way.
(e) Hezekiah Walker, landed a $80 million project with New York City, to put low income housing and senior living on property he owns.
(f) J Moss and his wife Melanie Moss opened a church! Wee!
(g) Jacky B got engaged, Mr. T got married and Joe Praize got hitched too.
(h) Tasha Cobbs and Kenneth Leonard tied the knot in a private ceremony.
(i) Nathaniel Bassey did something very impressive around May and June 2017 with that hashtag #Olowogboboro. Great stuff.
(j) Chris Tomlin and Nashville's Church of the City Senior Pastor Darren Whitehead celebrated the release of their new book, "Holy Roar: 7 Words That Will Change the Way You Worship"; a book on worship that
offers a fresh perspective on the worship practices of the ancient world.
Then the Bad...
1. We regret the bad image painted by...
(a) Rose Muhando who Tanzanian media says is a con. Yes, she was even arrested by Tanzanian police. Smoke identifies fire, no? Nilisikia anahamia huku Kenya.
(b) Kambua was caught up in a stupid gaffe over a microphone (sic!) the other day with her RMS colleague. Not so good.
(c) Bahati (mtoto wa mama) seems to have embraced the carnal lifestyle quite much (no judging, but it's true) with that girlfriend of his; and his fallout with Weezdom was a nasty nasty affair. Y'all love him, but hapa alivuka mipaka.
Also, there had been so much dush-nyauring over the prayer partner thing before they got married.
(d) Willy Paul keeps embarrassing us in many ways and we sometimes don't know where to categorize his music.
(e) Eunice Njeri skipping a wedding and a marriage wasn't so good either. (We prayed with her though, because relationships are never easy). We hope all is well.
(f) Nicah the Queen and Dr. Ofweneke called it quits. Not so good. Divorce is always unpleasant, people. Keep praying for these two.
(g) Didiero, founder of Mwafaka Awards was accused of soliciting for sex in exchange for awards.
1. We regret the bad image painted by...
(a) Rose Muhando who Tanzanian media says is a con. Yes, she was even arrested by Tanzanian police. Smoke identifies fire, no? Nilisikia anahamia huku Kenya.
(b) Kambua was caught up in a stupid gaffe over a microphone (sic!) the other day with her RMS colleague. Not so good.
(c) Bahati (mtoto wa mama) seems to have embraced the carnal lifestyle quite much (no judging, but it's true) with that girlfriend of his; and his fallout with Weezdom was a nasty nasty affair. Y'all love him, but hapa alivuka mipaka.
Also, there had been so much dush-nyauring over the prayer partner thing before they got married.
(d) Willy Paul keeps embarrassing us in many ways and we sometimes don't know where to categorize his music.
(e) Eunice Njeri skipping a wedding and a marriage wasn't so good either. (We prayed with her though, because relationships are never easy). We hope all is well.
(f) Nicah the Queen and Dr. Ofweneke called it quits. Not so good. Divorce is always unpleasant, people. Keep praying for these two.
(g) Didiero, founder of Mwafaka Awards was accused of soliciting for sex in exchange for awards.
2. Copycats.
Music covers may be good, but covers hinder creativity. The regrettable thing is that there are people out there that are really into doing covers and sprouting into fame without the artistry to hold them up there. Good renditions, less raw talent.
Music covers may be good, but covers hinder creativity. The regrettable thing is that there are people out there that are really into doing covers and sprouting into fame without the artistry to hold them up there. Good renditions, less raw talent.
3. Mixing politics with ministry.
Christina Shusho learnt a lesson in 2017 and the lesson is this: leave politics to politicians and fanatics, be nonpartisan.
Christina Shusho learnt a lesson in 2017 and the lesson is this: leave politics to politicians and fanatics, be nonpartisan.
4. Useless TV shows for cheap publicity.
I agree with Mr. T that Citizen Tv's 10 Over 10 Show is killing our generation. What else do you agree with him on? (I love T's bluntness by the way. We need more artists like him).
I agree with Mr. T that Citizen Tv's 10 Over 10 Show is killing our generation. What else do you agree with him on? (I love T's bluntness by the way. We need more artists like him).
5. The news below are not pleasing because it's an underground trend that very few people in the Kenyan Gospel Music Industry address or talk about.
Here are the bad news...
Gospel cartels are tearing down the house of God. (ahem!)
There are two factions of artists: artists who have decided to go it alone and those who subscribe to various DJ camps and their attendant TV shows. Among the camps are four outfits: System Unit run by DJ Mo, Genius Republic under DJ Sadic, K-Crew lead by DJ Moz and ‘The Switch’ by DJ Soxxy. The four camps run their own cliques of artistes and once an artiste subscribes to a specific stable, their music is in turn placed on high rotation within their television and radio shows.
Not so good.
Here are the bad news...
Gospel cartels are tearing down the house of God. (ahem!)
There are two factions of artists: artists who have decided to go it alone and those who subscribe to various DJ camps and their attendant TV shows. Among the camps are four outfits: System Unit run by DJ Mo, Genius Republic under DJ Sadic, K-Crew lead by DJ Moz and ‘The Switch’ by DJ Soxxy. The four camps run their own cliques of artistes and once an artiste subscribes to a specific stable, their music is in turn placed on high rotation within their television and radio shows.
Not so good.
6. In April, artists went to the streets in Nairobi CBD and openly protested against the new MPAKE body that replaced MCSK. Good or bad? Judge it for yourself.
7. There is news circulating that there is an increase in the number of unholy union of gospel dates (Gospel artists dating and living together with prayer partners). Help us dear Lord... Or, please Lord, maranatha!
8. Not being nominated for Groove Awards last year seemed to irk Willy Pozzee, Bahati and Papa Dennis so much that we all noticed their absence and open ranting on social media.
Hey! Gospel artists shall not live on awards alone, amen?
Hey! Gospel artists shall not live on awards alone, amen?
Then the Weird...
1. Kenyan female Gospel Artist Lady Nanaa proposed to her fiance. Hummhuh?
2. They say DK Kwenye Beat should hit the gym. But hapo sitasema sana juu pia huwa wananiambia hivyo, hehe.
3. There is a Christian student that graduated with honors from Harvard after submitting a rap album as Thesis.
4. Jimmy Gait wept on live TV and we loved it (because DJ Shiti amplified it, hehe).
5. Snoop Dogg announced that he's working on a Gospel album... (Eye roll, pleeeease).
That's all for now.
For more of this, subscribe, like, bookmark or follow the blog.
1. Kenyan female Gospel Artist Lady Nanaa proposed to her fiance. Hummhuh?
2. They say DK Kwenye Beat should hit the gym. But hapo sitasema sana juu pia huwa wananiambia hivyo, hehe.
3. There is a Christian student that graduated with honors from Harvard after submitting a rap album as Thesis.
4. Jimmy Gait wept on live TV and we loved it (because DJ Shiti amplified it, hehe).
5. Snoop Dogg announced that he's working on a Gospel album... (Eye roll, pleeeease).
That's all for now.
For more of this, subscribe, like, bookmark or follow the blog.
Bonface Morris.
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