The Good, the Bad, the Weird: Things that Impressed Me and Some that Didn't in the Gospel Music Scene in 2017

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.

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.

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.

4. Secular artists turning to the Gospel.
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.

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.

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!

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...

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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).

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.

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?

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. 

Bonface Morris.

#Reviews2016: Books I Read In 2016

Books Reviews: 2016

As I have always said, I am not so much of a book reader. I'd rather watch a movie about a book than read the book itself.

Here is my book reviews from 2015 if you're interested; then check out the three books I read last year (please don't laugh);

Click on the titles to download the books.

1. Reader Magnets by Nick Stephenson
This is a simple ebook for bloggers, writers, authors, online marketers and writing entrepreneurs.
It has one main focus: to help us reach our readers without relying on "middle men".

In this book Nick mentions some specific ways to do this:
(a) Use of email in blogging and writing.
(b) The art of writing.
(c) Internet traffic and subscriptions.
(d) Websites and landing pages.
(e) Capturing and keeping readers.

2. The Art of Public Speaking by Dave Carnegie

Dave seeks to help us communicate better.
Some of the things he and J. Berg Esenwein address in this book are;
(a) Acquiring confidence before an audience.
(b) Overcoming monotony.
(c) Voice control: pitch, pace and inflection.
(d) Feedback.
(e) Fluency and preparation etc.
It is a great book for anyone interested in public speaking.

3. Preparing for Marriage: Help for Christian Couples by John Piper
We read this one with my girlfriend. It's a great short book.
it addresses the following;
(a) Questions to ask when preparing for marriage.
(b) Marriage as a revelation of the glory of God. (Actually, this is the central point of the whole book.)
(c) Sexual relations in marriage.
(d) Marriage, singleness and the Christian virtue of hospitality.


I have some other books I started reading especially books on relationships which some friends shared with me. I may share them soon with you guys. Anyways, that is all for now.

Stay blessed.


Bonface Morris.

#Reviews2016: Movies and TV Shows I Watched in 2016

Movies & TV Shows, 2016

After checking out what I watched in 2014 here and in 2015 here, see what unfolded in my world of TV screen entertainment in 2016;

A. MOVIES

Genre: Action/Thriller/Sci-Fi
1. Star Wars Episode I to VII
One repetitive story. Quite predictable. Why do people normally love this franchise?2. American Ultra (2015)
A CIA artificial intelligence program gone bad.
3. Wrong Turn sequel
Horror. Watch ye not of faint heart.
4. Bridge of Spies (2015)
1957. At the height of the Cold War, the US and USSR fear each other's nuclear capabilities and intentions. Both sides deploy and hunt for spies.
5. Extraction (2015)
Bruce Willis (Leonard Turner) is a highly trained CIA agent who is caught by a gang while trying to exchange "the CONDOR" (some highly classified telecommunications device.) His son (whose mother was killed some years back by a gang in retaliation) has to come and save him.
6. Jarhead 3 (2016)
A rookie member of the United States Marine Corps is sent to be part of the team protecting an ambassador in a Middle East county... and then, all hell breaks loose.
7. Heist (2015)
Rather boring. A father robs his former boss of 3 million dollars in order to meet the cost of his daughters treatment. Together with fellow robbers, they hold hostage a bus...
8. Ant Man (2015)
See the world through the eyes of an ant.
9. Intruders (2016)
A woman who has never left her house for 10 years (since the death of her father) is attacked by intruders who she ferociously attacks.
10. Barney Thomson (2015)
His name is Barney. He is a barber. And this is the story about the day he "moved chairs".
11. Mojin - The Lost Legend (2015)
A tomb treasure hunt in ancient China.
12. Victor Frankenstein (2015)
A former member of a circus and an ambitious scientist embark on making a man "from their own image".
13. The Last Witch Hunter (2015)
Van Diesel is the last witch hunter saving the world from the dominion and rule of an evil witch queen.
14. Sherlock - The Abominable Bride (2016)
Sherlock with his doctor friend Watson investigate the mystery of a murderous ghost bride.
15. Jane Got A Gun (2015)
Her name is Jane. It's 1864, she's a Western cowgirl, and she's got a gun.
16. Misconduct (2016)
A young lawyer works a case that really goes sooooouth.
17. London Has Fallen (2016)
The faked death of a Prime Minister leads to the assassination of several world leaders and the abduction of the POTUS right in the middle of London as a payback for the US killing a family member belonging to a terrorist group.
18. Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
A DC Comics special featuring their two superheroes first wrapped up against each other and later against one common evil.
19. 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (2016)
All hell breaks loose on every American in the Libyan town of Benghazi in a post-Ghadafi era.
20. The Huntsman: Winter's War (2016)
A story about undying love, jealousy and betrayal.
21. Stand Off (2016)
A hired assassin kills a woman, a priest and her bodyguard at the graveyard when burying her husband. A small girl witnesses this and takes photos using her deceased mom's camera. The girl is saved by a man whose young son had recently died mysteriously.
22. Jason Bourne (2016)
I'm voting in this one as one of the best under this genre this year: a former CIA agent retaliates after being underground for a while in order to avenge the death of his father (a former agent too) and a friend who was killed while trying to expose the agency's killer programs.
23. Now You See Me 2 (2016)
Guys, magic is at it again!
24. Riot (2015)
A prison heist due to a drug deal gone bad.
25. Bastille Day (2016)
An American intelligence officer intervenes to solve a bomb attack in a French city. Those thought to have made and turned off the bomb were set up and the police end up being the plot's masterminds.
26. Mechanic Resurrection (2016)
Statham acts as an assassin for hire who later goes rogue for payback anf revenge.
27. The Legend of Tarzan (2016)
This is a narrative about one John Clayton, once a resident of the jungle, now turned envoy for the Belgian Kingdom inside the Congo.
28. The BFG (2016)
A Disney movie about a big friendly giant befriends a little girl and together they stop the threat of other man-eating giants on little children.

Genre: Animation
1. Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016)
Po continues with his adventures of saving the Valley of Peace, this time pawing away Tai, the chi-hungry villain.
2. Batman Bad Blood (2016)
The adventures of our one and only superhero in Gotham City continue as he does his thing with his "team".
3. Justice League vs. Teen Titans (2016)
A movie for kids, I guess.
4. Angry Birds Movie (2016)
A hilarious tale of Mr Red and his friends as they deal with their anger issues.
5. Voltron: Legendary Defender Season 1 (2016)
A team of five cadets training as pilots find themselves in space as pilots of one war machine called "Voltron" which is a "defender of the universe".
6. Jungle Book (2016)
A boy raised by a group of foxes in the woods becomes the center of strife between various groups of animals.
7. Ice Age - Collision Course (2016)
A funny story of animals that escape and survive an asteroid apocalypse.


Genre: Real Life
1. Creed (2015)
A boy whose late father was a boxing champion gets in the ring too after resigning from his day job.
2. Adulterers (2015)
This movie paints a real picture of both a man's and a woman's wrath when they catch their spouses red-handed cheating on them. Adult material.
3. Waffle Street (2015)
A former debt trafficking financier is now a server at a Waffle House which he later plans to buy.
4. Traders (2015)
Let's summarize this movie in a few words: the things men do for money are unimaginable!!
5. The Intern (2015)
A retired widower goes back to work again but as an intern in a youth-filled startup.
6. Eye In the Sky (2015)
British intelligence exterminate suspects of the Nairobi West Gate attack in Eastleigh using drone surveillance.
7. Morris From America (2016)
A 13-year-old American black boy who now lives in Germany with his dad and who raps for fun makes friends with an older German girl.
8. Mothers' Day (2016)
Epic, real, funny and good. A movie that helps you celebrate and also see life from mothers' point of view.
9. Mr. Church (2016)
Eddie Murphy is a cook to a single mother suffering from cancer and her daughter... Then there are secrets, lies, life and death.

Genre: Comedy
1. Ride Along 1 (2014) and Ride Along 2 (2016)
Kevin Hart as a rookie cop.
2. Sisters (2015)
Two crazy sisters, one weird family.
3. Daddy's Home (2015)
A step dad and a deadbeat father are competing for the attention of two kids and their mother.
4. Barbershop: The Next Cut (2016)
Yeah, it's some cool star-studded black comedy, but it's also trying to address some deeply rooted black people issues in there.
5. Kindergarten Cop 2 (2016)
Two detectives end up in a kindergarten school while working a case in which a former teacher at the school is the main suspect.

Genre: Christian
1. Priceless: She's Worth Fighting For (2016)
A movie by for KING & COUNTRY.
2. A Christmas Star
The story of Noelle, a girl with miraculous powers born on Christmas Eve, who stands together with her friends to save her village's pottery factory from being grabbed. Anyway, it's more of a family movie than it's a Christian movie.
3. Captive (2015)
A former drug addict and mom is held captive by a wanted criminal who just escaped prison.
4. Alone Yet Not Alone (2013)
It's 1744 and a nuclear family that just escaped slavery in Germany resettles in Philadelphia. The story is about two young sisters who survive after their father and brother are brutally murdered by Indian natives.
5. Ben Hur (2016)
A story of betrayal, forgiveness, zealotry and the struggles and survival of native Jews under Jesus' time under the infamous Roman regime.
6. God's Not Dead 2 (2016)
A movie borne out of the many events in the US in 2015 where many Christians faced persecution for standing for and defending the Gospel in a postmodern culture. PS: And for the first [precious] time, they included, within the plot, an accomplished Christian apologist and author, Lee Stroble.
7. The Young Messiah (2016)
A look into the life of young Christ Jesus.
8. Risen (2016)
The evidence for Jesus' resurrection as investigated and proven by a Roman Army officer.

Genre: Romance
1. Tristan and Isolde (2016)
Gothic romantic drama in Britain and Ireland.
2. Black Coffee (2014)
A painter is fired by his boss who snatches his girlfriend from him. He decides to make good of his unemployment and meets the love of his life. (Oh well, did I just say that?)
3. How to Be Single (2016)
A hilarious combination of various single people and their love stories in New York City.
4. It's Complicated (2009)
A divorced old couple (one remarried and the other still single) gets mixed up in an affair.
5. Hello, My Name Is Doris (2015)
An old lady who just lost her mother [sic] fantasizes being in love with a young guy who's transferred to her work place.

2016's Overrated Movies
1. Steve Jobs (2015)
Alright, I forwarded the whole movie (documentary?) and ended up not watching it.
2. Chi-raq (2015)
So this was a documentary or what?
3. The Big Short (2015)
Seriously, was it comedy or stock exchange?
4. Zoolander 2 (2016)
I've never understood exactly what the fuss was about this movie.
5. Woodlawn (2016)
I would say it was an overrated Christian movie, no?

B. TV SHOWS
1. Person of Interest Season 4 and 5
2016 marked the end of one of the best TV shows ever! 
2. How to Get Away With Murder Season 1 & 2
I watched a bit of it and got bored. I may resume watching it soon. 
3. Power Season 3
Inside the life of a man with a double life. 
4. Hand of God Season 1
I hear there is a second and final season coming soon. The concept was fair. 
5. The Last Man On Earth
Comedy in an apocalyptic era.
6. Sanctuary
I think it bored me at season one... and that's from long time ago. 
7. Master of None Season One
Awesome 10-episode comedy (rom-com) revolving around the life of an IndoAsian actor, Dev, while roaming the streets of New York.
8. The Mysteries of Laura
A series on the life of a detective mom of two naughty six-year-old boys. A bit boring.
9. Young & Hungry Season 2 to 4 (2015)
The tiny hilarious moments of Gabi and her group of friends continue in this epic sitcom/rom-com.
10. And Then There Were None (2015)
A three-episode miniseries from BBC. In August 1939, eight people, all total strangers to each other, are invited to a small, isolated island by a Mr. and Mrs. Owen where they mysteriously die one by one after each one of them is accused of multiple murders.
11. The 100 Season 3
The script writer has done something to this show that we always love and hate about Game of Thrones. No?  
12. Marvel's Agent Carter Season 1 and 2
After war and the death of Captain America, Agent Carter becomes a double agent; running errands for Captain America's friend, Howard, and reduced to being a secretary-agent at the firm that is SSR (an American covert agency.)
13. Powers Season 1 and 2
A show about people with above normal powers called "powers" living together with normal people. It revolves around the life of a former power, his partner and a special police department in fighting and putting these powers in custody.
14. Graceland Season 3
This is a story about the work life and personal life of a group of US government detectives from different agencies living together in an abandoned house by the sea shore called Graceland.
15. Crossing Lines Season 1 to 3
A team of detectives with their work station at ICC in the Hague and with special capabilities join hands to solve cross border crimes.
16. Angie Tribeca (2016)
Get me some detective comedy. Survive on sarcasm.
17. Falling Skies Season 4 and 5
Falling Skies was epic. We'll miss you Tom Mason.
18. Fuller House (2016) Season 1
A classic remake of one of the greatest family sitcoms ever made. I just delayed picking up season 2. It's already out.
19. American Crime Season 1 and 2 (2015)
A murder case, crime, drama, parenting faults, racial biases and prejudices and religious fanaticism. I recommend all parents to watch this one. They'll know why after watching it.
20. Into the Badlands (2015)
An Asian guy is out to surviving in desolate lands that have no code nor rule of law.
21. Grandfathered (2015)
Comedy. A 50 year old former chef and now owner of a pop restaurant meets his 25 year old son who happens to have a daughter.
22. The Last Kingdom Season 1
Another Viking story with Wessex England and one Uhtred son of Uhtred at the centre of the tale.
23. Kevin From Work Season One.
Epic work comedy about a shy guy who has a crash on a lady workmate (later gets friendzoned) and is surrounded by a whole lot of weird colleagues.
24. Dominion Season Two
The rivalry fictious tale between archangel Michael and Gabriel in relation to one Alex and a city called Vega after God disappeared 25 years ago continues.
25. Tripped (Season One) (2016)
A funny miniseries about two guys living in multiple worlds.
26. Impastor Season 1 and 2
An identity thief pastor goes into a frenzy-full life in a small town in the countryside. Fox cancelled it after season 2.
27. The Last Ship Season 1, 2 and 3
An apocalyptic virus threatens to wipe out the entire universe. The only hope there is is in this ship, its captain and the crew.
28. Vikings Season 4
Rather boring until the last episodes. It's like the writer lost track of the floww of this story somewhere along the way.
29. Humans (2015)
A world of conflicts and life between humans and syntheic robots.30. Marvel Daredevil Season 1 and 2
A blind lawyer who is also a vigilante at night and his two friends are out to enact justice against all evil in Hell's Kitchen part of New York.
31. Containment Season 1 (2016)
A virus outbreak threatens Sector 6 of the city of Atlanta.
32. Preacher (2016)
This is a story about a ruthless conniving preacher, a vampire, weird (but mostly evil) people, two "angels" a.k.a. "government people", some funny power and a direct telephone line to heaven... to God. Funny, eh? Read a related story on Preacher here: US hit series ‘The Preacher’ was shot in Kenya staring local actor Irungu Mutu
34. Agent X (2015)
John Case, a secretive special ex-CIA agent under the Veep of the US is assigned special tasks while protecting the interests of his country.
35. The Blacklist Season 2
I love delaying watching some shows, this one included. And I'm loving it... The search for criminals on the list continues as revealed by one Reddington.
36. Lucifer (2015)
The life and adventures of a fictional Lucifer.

SOME NEWS
1. NETFLIX announced it's entrance into the Kenyan pay TV market on January 6 at #CES2016.
2. ‘Of Kings and Prophets’, ABC’s controversial Old Testament epic story depicting the life of King David... was canceled after airing two episodes.read the whole story here.
3. War Room (a Christian film from last year) won Inspirational Film of the Year award at the 2016 GMA Dove Awards.
4. Here is IMDb's 2016 Golden Globe Awards, IMDb's 100 Best Adventure movies (by listed user) and here is this year's (2017) list of shows that have been renewed or cancelled. Also, I hear that 24 and Prison Break will be back this year. Let's wait and see.

Bonface Morris.

#Reviews2016: Gospel Music and Music News from 2016

First of all, check out my Gospel music reviews on the music I listened to in 2014 here and from 2015 here.

Then, below is a summary of my music experience in 2016;

Gospel music reviews from 2016

NEW ARTISTS, NEW MUSIC
1. Mwamba Children's Choir
Not exactly new, but I met them last year. May have begun around 2008 or there about.
2. Elevation Worship are doing extraordinary stuff this season. They released their fourth album "Here As In Heaven" in February last year. I shared a single from that album (here.)
3. Proclaim
I mean, these Ugandan kids can saaang.
4. Hollyn

Barely 19-years-old, and doing explosive stuff CEDM and pop-wise. If you happen to stumble upon her self-titled album Hollyn from last year, pick it up and don't lose it!
5. Angel Bernard
Angel Benard is extraordinary. I mean, unbelievably good. And she is a local artist. Tanzanian. She has four labums to her name and is now going international. You should have heard her latest collabo with Mercy Masika Huyu Yesu released later December last year. But she's more than that. You should check her music out sometime. (And no, she's not single.)
6. Alarm Ministries (from Rwanda) 
I somehow loved their single Yesu Abwira Abigushwa Be. The rest, not so much.
7. Austin & Lindsey Adamec 
A great couple with great sound. Go look for their tarck Walk On Waves. Not bad at all.
8. Deon Kipling
He released an album titled last year (Something to Talk About) and I've been addicted to a single from that album: By Myself.
9. Cliche
A promising Gospel Afro-HipHop group (I think that's a genre I just created to define this new sound we hear nowadays.) Vasaa was their second single and it was fair-ish.
10. VERIDIA
I discovered these CEDM and Urban Gospel guys at last year's Dove Awards. They have two EPs to their name: Inseparable (2014) and Pretty Lies (2015).
11. I also met these guys called Fearless BND. Great guys with some cool mix of both contemporary worship music and EDM.
12. I stumbled upon a great team from Zimbabwe by the name of ZimPraise under one Joseph Madziyire. They have been existing for almost a decade, I think. Great people, great music, awesome events and with a great vision.
13.  Ivlyn Mutua, sister to the Gospel dancehall star Dafari has this dancehall tune POWER. Real big tune.
14. Jessica Honore Bm, a Tanzanian lady who begun music waaaay back in the early 2000s is also one voice we should be watching out for in 2017.

Awesome Singles
1. Life Worship - Wide Open Space single (2016).
2. Hillary Scott and Scott Family - Thy Will
3. Anthem Lights - Good Good Father (Cover)
4. Godwill Babette - Umenibeba
5. Angle Benard - Kiu Yangu and Salama

Unique collabos

1. Michael W Smith ft. Carrie Underwood in All Is Well
2. 24 Elders ft. Daddy Owen in Okokroko 
3. Jamie Grace and her sister Morgan Harper Nichols did a great cover of NEEDTOBREATHE's "Brother".
4. Tasha Cobbs and Jamie Grace in "Solid Rock".
5. VaShawn Mitchell, BeBe Winans and Tasha Cobbs in "Nobody Greater (Remix)". This one might just be my collabo of the year in Praise and Worship category! Hands down,
6. Mercy Masika ft. Angel Benard in Huyu Yesu.
7. Tori Kelly ft. Amy Grant in Baby Baby.


MUSIC ALBUMS I LISTENED TO LAST YEAR BY GENRE
Note: I'm putting in bold my best albums in each category/genre.

Hip Hop and Rap
1. Lecrae - Church Clothes 3 (2016)
2. NF - Therapy Session (2016)
On its week of release, its numbers trumped all Christian hip-hop releases last year besides Lecrae's surprise mixtape Church Clothes 3.
3. FLAME - Forward (2015)
4. Sho Baraka - Talented 10th (2013)
5. Da' T.R.U.T.H - It's Complicated (2016)
6. Oscar Urbina - Molly Pitcher (2016)
7. Sho Baraka - The Narrative (2016)
8. Tedashii - This Time Around EP (2016)
9. Propaganda - Crimson Cord (2014)
10. Eshon Burgundy - The Fear of God (2015)
11. Jackie Hill Perry - The Art of Joy (2014)
12. JGivens - Fly Exam (2015)

Pop/Rock/Contemporary
1. Sarah Groves - Floodplain (2015)
2. Christy Nockels - Let It Be Jesus (2015)
3. Passion - Salvation's Tide Is Rising (2016)
This album debuted at No. 3 on Billboard Digital Albums Chart in the week of release. The album also debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Christian Albums Chart, making it the seventh Passion release to do so.
4. Jesus Culture - Let It Echo (2016)
5. Bethel Music - Have It All (2016)
6. Planetshakers - #LETSGO (2015)
7. Hawk Nelson - Diamonds (2015)
8. Meredith Andrews - Deeper (2016)
9. Thousand Foot Krutch - Exhale (2016)
10. Bryan & Katie Torwalt - Champion (2016)
11. Skillet - Unleashed (2016)
12. Elevation Worship - Here As In Heaven (2016)
13. Audrey Assad - Inheritance (2016)
14. Casting Crowns - The Very Next Thing (2016)
15. Casting Crowns - A Live Worship Experience (2015)
16. Rend Collective - Campfire II: Simplicity (2016)
17. Hillsong UNITED - Of Dirt And Grace (2016)
18. United Pursuit - Looking For A Savior (2016)
19. Planetshakers - Overflow (LIVE) (2016)
20. Steven Curtis Chapman - Worship And Believe (2016)
21. Elevation Worship - Speak Revival EP (2016)
22. Zach Williams - Chain Breaker EP (2016)
23. Jonathan & Melissa Helser (from Bethel Music) - Beautiful Surrender (2016)
24. Chris Tomlin - Never Lose Sight (2016)
25. I Am They - I Am They (2015)
26. Hillsong Worship - Let There Be Light (2016)
I may review and share this album soon. Soon.

Christian Electronic Dance Music
1. Britt Nicole - The Remixes (2015)
2. 1GN (formerly 1 Girl Nation) - Unite (2016)
3. VERIDIA - Pretty Lies EP (2015)
4. Hollyn - Hollyn EP (2015)
A 19 year old with a fantastic sound!
5. Group 1 Crew - POWER (2016)
6. Britt Nicole - Britt Nicole (2016)
7. Hillsong Young & Free - Youth Revival (2016)

R&B, Urban and Soul
1. 3for3 - 3for3 EP (2015)
2. Christon Gray - The Glory Album (2016)
Gray sings some kind of fusion of Hip Hop and urban R&B. I love his music style.
3. Deitrick Haddon - Masterpiece (2015)
4. Charles Jenkins - Think About These Things (2016)
5. Jordan Feliz - The River (2016)

Praise and Worship and Southern Gospel
1. Israel & New Breed - Covered: Alive In Asia (2015)
2. Tasha Cobbs - One Place (2015)
3. Gaither Vocal Band - Sometimes It Takes A Mountain (2014)
4. Karen Clark Sheard - Destined To Win (2015)
5. Travis Greene - The Hill (2015)
6. Tamela Mann - One Way (2016)
7. VaShawn Mitchell - Secret Place: Live In South Africa (2016)
8. Micah Stampley - To the King... Vertical Worship (2016)
After a long period of silence, Micah was back last year with this interesting record.

Christmas
1. Pentatonix - That's Christmas to Me (2015)
2. Matthew West - Unto Us (2016)
3. Lauren Daigle - Behold: A Christmas Collection (2016)

Collections 
1. WOW Hits 20th Anniversary
2. WoW Gospel 2016

Local
1. Kelele Takatifu - Ndoto Za Kupaa (2016)
This album is good. Very focused, very Scriptural.
2. RECAPP - Proud to Be A Christian EP (2014)
3. Mwanga Band - We Will Rule (2016)
Read news on this album's launch at Parklands Baptist Church here.
4. Sinach - Way Maker (2016)


NEWS, NEWS AND MORE GOSPEL MUSIC NEWS FROM 2016

1.      28^th April, 2016: That collabo between Willy Paul and Sauti Sol was empty. Yes, EMPTY.

2.      Friday 6^th May, 2016: Eunice Njeri, Shiru Wa GP, Lydia Joy Kaimuri, Grace Muna etc wanted their music copyright rights back (on NVT's The Trend).

3.     Wednesday 27^th April, 2016 » Groove Awards 2016 News > No Bahati, no Willy Paul in Groove Awards;  Kalenjin music singer Lillian Rotich turned down her Groove Awards nomination under the Rift Valley Counties Award category and said that she was giving space to other talented and emerging artists from the region.

4.     24^th April, 2016: Popular gospel singer Mercy Masika escaped unscathed after being involved in a road accident on Sunday along the Thika Superhighway. 

5.     In an interview with RAPZILLA, Tedashii recalled a time when Christian Hip-Hop was excluded in church. Tedashii said that when he started out, Christian rap was still frowned upon in most churches and he had a number of experiences where he was intentionally made to feel like an outsider.

6.     I hear that through events like crusades where Anastazia Mukabwa invites bishops to preach the gospel and medical camps where people receive free medical treatment in constituencies in Kakamega County, it is where the secular artiste Sukuma bin Ongaro accepted Jesus as his personal saviour and he now sings Gospel music. He has recorded an album and he is looking forward to producing another one soon.

7.     Michael W. Smith is to appear in a new movie "Beautifully Broken". See the Instagram photo he posted here.

8.     4th April, 2016: A one-year divorced Israel Houghton was seen with Adrienne Bailon (an actress, singer, dancer etc) where she exclusively confirmed that she was dating him and that he was no longer married.

9.     4th April, 2016: The hymn ‘Great Is They Faithfulness’ done by The Voice winner Jordan Smith knocked Adele’s ‘Hello’ out of the top spot on iTunes.

10. Friday, 8th April, 2016: Back in November 2015, Reach Records came under fire for removing the original “116” statement from their website’s bio and replacing it with one that was deemed “more safe.” However, Lecrae said that the change is based on the growing artistry of the talent on the label. Reach Records wants their artists to be able to grow and go further with their craft. In support to this, later on in the month, Andy Mineo said "Christian label harms more than it helps" by quoting his wife: Idealism is corny. Always keep it real.

11. 21st March 21, 2016 (night): Newsboys and Audio Adrenaline shined at 'God's Not Dead 2' Hollywood Premiere. Both bands have songs featured in sequel to smash hit 'God's Not Dead'.

12. Bahati (Mtoto wa Mama) news: Bahati publicly announced that he was in love with Tanzanian actress Elizabeth Michael (aka Lulu) and would be privileged to date her. Two weeks later, the sultry actress replied and said that she ain't interested for now.

13. 29th March: In a recent interview with ChristianityToday, Darlene Zschech spoke with their assistant editor Morgan Lee about leading worship in jeans, handling fame, and her new book, Worship Changes Everything: Experiencing God’s Presence in Every Moment. She reiterated that “If I ever see it about myself I make sure it’s changed,” said Zschech, who now pastors Hope Unlimited Church in New South Wales, Australia, with her husband, Mark. “I’m not a worship artist; I’m a worshiper. Yes, I’m a musician, but that comes first.”

14. 30^th March, 2016: Renowned gospel singer, Emmy Kosgei revealed that she married her husband, Apostle Anselm Madubuko because he is a man who understands her music and respects the people’s love for her. In addition, she says that he is forever supportive of what she does. Emmy is the recently appointed Kenya’s National and Global Ambassador for Culture and Tourism and at the time of the interview, she had been nominated for Redeemed International Gospel Awards (RIGA) in South Africa.

15. 21^st February, 2016:  Anthony Brown and group theAPY were nominated in 10 Stellar Awards categoties and they ended up winning all of them. They thanked God and their faithful fans in their "Miss You" video released at the end of February.

16. I hear that J Blessing had been contracted to shoot the video for the collabo between Christina Shusho and Don Moen. I haven’t gotten more news on this yet.

17. Makers of God's Not Dead are doing a musical: In a statement subsequently released by PureFlix Live - the new live entertainment wing of the Christian film studio - God's Not Dead: The Musical will follow the storyline of the original God's Not Dead film, and will even feature one of its stars: Shane Harper, who portrayed protagonist Josh Wheaton.

18. Friday, 1^st April, 2016: One of the most interesting news on this day was that the face of pop music had collaborated with the face of Christian hip hop through an unreleased Justin Bieber song featuring Lecrae titled "Bigger Than Satan".

19. Saturday, 2^nd April, 2016: Gospel singer Daddy Owen married his fiancée Farida Wambui on Saturday at an invite-only, black tie event in Nairobi’s Buruburu estate and later hosted their family and friends to a reception at Upper Hill.

20. 3^rd April, 2016: The Gospel community came together to memorialize the late great Daryl Coley in Los Angeles. Coley died at the age of 60 after complications with diabetes. Singers like Yolanda Adams, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, and Earnest Pugh sung some of Coley’s hit songs in remembrance of him.

21. 7^th April, 2016: In a lengthy post, DJ Soxxy described the pain he felt as his wife went through the pain of giving birth one and a half years ago. Read it here. 

22. 7^th April, 2016:  Carrie Underwood, arguably the most successful winner in the history of American Idol, sung Something in the Water on the fifteenth and last show of American Idol.

23. 11^th April, 2016: Billboard Music Awards announce nominees for top Christian artist, song & album.

24.  26^th January, 2016: Benachi, the "Mwanake" hit maker had had quite a stay in the US. Rumor had it that he had gotten a US chiq. Yeah people, he said it himself in some interview somewhere on the webosphere: "Okay I now have a special lady in my life. But also I miss my Kenyan fans more than ever” and it may have been proven right through a wedding song he did in late December. If the lady is Kenyan or American, it ain't confirmed yet.

25. Award season started early for newcomer Lauren Daigle as “How Can It Be" won Worship Song of the Year at the 2015 K-LOVE Fan Awards. The honors continued to roll in at the 46th Annual GMA Dove Awards where Daigle won Song of the Year, Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year and New Artist of the Year. And there's no signs of stopping this incredibly inspiring new face of Christian music as she also grabbed the Best Contemporary Christian Album at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards later on in the year.

26. Colton Dixon married his sweetheart Annie Coggeshall in January, 2016 whom he got engaged to in late 2015.

27. Lecrae's new book "Unashamed" hit shelves on May 3, 2016.

28. Earlier on in January 2016, this is what Reagan Sarkozy had to say: “Akothee owes me, she is not a millionaire.” I never verified this info to be true or not.

29. Early February 2016: Chris August got married.

30. 18^th February, 2016: ​Kari Jobe and her husband Cody Carnes welcome first child.

31. 2016 Grammys (Monday, 22^nd February, 2016): tobyMac won GRAMMY for The Best Christian Album and Francesca Battistelli Scored the Best Christian Song.

32. 25^th February, 2016: Some guy called Sadat defended the reason as to why he has put Sh100 million on gospel singer Papa Dennis. Read the full article here. 

33. This Easter You Can’t Miss : ‘HE IS ALIVE’ Worship Experience At Kasarani Stadium » This Easter the Universal Church Kingdom of GOD brings you a must attend Worship Experience. Lead pastor Gerald Nkayi will lead fellow worshipers at the Worship experience that will feature Christina Shusho, Willy Paul and Gloria Muliro.

34. February 2016 gossip: Gospel musician Papa Dennis' girlfriend hanged out with Huddah Monroe.

35. February 2016: Christina Shusho congratulated Churchill for being one of a kind here. Read the full article here.

36. 26^th February, 2016: Selena Gomez made an appearance at the Hillsong Young and Free release of their second album. After her performance, she said that “relationship with God is greater than anything.”

37. March 2016: I confirmed that Mercy Masika had an upcoming album in the course of the year called "Hope". I haven’t put my eyes on it yet.

38. 3^rd March, 2016: Justin Bieber's mother prays that the singer will encounter God. The pop star's mother said: "22 years ago I was 18 years old, pregnant and scared. But God," she wrote on Twitter. "Lord encounter @justinbieber for his bday! Give him all I couldn't in Jesus name." And yes, Bieber was quite religious last year. Read Jarrid Wilson's open letter to him about his faith here.

39. 5^th March, 2016: Lecrae announced that film 'Unashamed World' will hit theaters on June 1 » A 17-year project spanning ten countries and 37 cities while capturing over 10,000 hours of footage, Unashamed World is the high-energy, deeply personal story of Lecrae's Cinderella rise from a garage start-up artist to a global phenomenon.

40. Early February 2016, just before Valentine's Day, I heard that Victor Mbuvi is going to be re-branding. That he will be singing more Swahili and English songs. He released a Swahili song by the title U Moyoni. Mbuvi's artistic capability is really something else nowadays. I mean, you hear his songs today and you just can't imagine that he's the same guy who gave us "Dua" and "Sweet Ndwale". Anyways, let's wait and see.

41. February 2016: Gloria Muliro's former husband Eric Omba was still denying that he ever was unfaithful. It seems the guy still needs Gloria back.

42. Vioja za 2016: So Bahati disappeared, claimed that he was quitting Gospel music only to reappear with a new music video, apologies and claims that he had gone out for a one month break. Dush!! Dude seems to be playing us.

43. First week of March: Jubilee Christian Church, home to Rev. Allan and Kathy Kiuna, held a prayer and healing program dubbed #WordFest2016. The invited guest was the one and only London based, Ghanian pastor/worship leader Sonnie Badu.

44. March 5, 2016: Hillsong UNITED announces their third leg of empires tour with Lauren Daigle.

45. March 14, 2016: news that Hillsong Church is getting its own 24-hour TV network (Hillsong Channel) in conjunction with Trinity Broadcasting Network emerge. It was launched to a global audience on June 1 and it features worship performances, messages from Christian leaders, conferences, documentaries, kids programs, talk shows and more.

46. On March 14 2016, music pastors Brian and Jenn Johnson from Bethel Music offered a live stream Q&A dubbed "'Have It All' Video Q&A". It was a studio Q&A where they offered to answer listeners' questions about the album "Have It All." Anyone interested was to submit their question(s) via Twitter using the hashtag #HIALiveStream while tagging @bethelmusic in the post.

47. Second week of March 2016: As wife-beating scandal raged, gospel singer James Fortune thought of taking 'whole bottle of Xanax'. Embattled gospel singer James Fortune who had previously pleaded guilty to a bone-breaking assault on his now estranged wife, Cheryl, said he thought of taking a "whole bottle of Xanax" at one point but was "saved" by a conference for worship leaders organized by fellow gospel artist Tasha Cobbs. He was sentenced to five years of probation along with five days in jail. He is also required to complete 175 hours of community service as well as a "batterer's intervention" program and stay away from his wife. Read full article here. 

48. March 17, 2016: Derek Minor says people want him to be the 'Reach Records Police'. Derek Minor spoke to the Bad Christian Podcast where he spoke about fighting with people on Twitter, cursing in music, and systematic racism.

49. Derek Minor won Rap/Hip-Hop Gospel CD of the Year for 'Empire' at 2016 Stellar Awards. Empire is Minor’s fifth studio album.

50. Willy Paul news: After a successful concert in Ghana where he attended a State function, gospel singer Willy Paul lied to us that he was getting married to a Luhya lady. Huyu kijana anahitaji viboko.

51. March 18, 2016: Marvin Winans on NTV (The Trend). He said he was in Kenya under the invitation of JCC. On the Larry Madowo interview, he talked about a perfect church, perfecting church, pastors and pop culture, his divorce, Christians and judging others and gave advice to young people on how to approach life today. Pastor Donnie McKlurkin was in Kenya around the same week too.

52. April 2016: Gospel musician Betty Bayo spoke about music career, her new-born baby, rumours of a plastic surgery and divorce. She said that her recent body transformation came as a result of having peace of mind. Read the full interview here. 

53. There is now a Spanish version of Danny Gokey's "Tell Your Heart to Beat Again". Watch it here. 

54. Monday, 16^th May, 2016 (NTV News): MCSK, Safaricom etc agree to pay musicians their dues through a free and fair platform.

55. May 17, 2016: Lauren Daigle released the Deluxe Edition of her debut album "How Can It Be?"

56. Christian Hip-Hop Responds to Mainstream Music'sNew Gospel.

57. Here is the Full List of 2016 Groove AwardsWinners.

58. Here is the full message Reuben Kigame put across to CORD and Raila Odinga on June 2, 2016 in response to their mass action. 

59. Lauren Daigle was named Artist of the Year At 2016 K-LOVE Fan Awards.

Get the whole list of K-LOVE Awards Winners here:

60. "I backslid and got a child out of wedlock,” BMF member exclusively shares. Read full story here. 

61. Here are Stellar Awards Gospel Music winners for2016.

62. Once A Street Boy; male artist of the year nominee (Guardian Angel) starts his own record label. Read full article here. 

63. Gospel singer Ringtone was in court over a theft case. Read full article here. 

64. Video director J Blessing landed a deal on Churchill comedy show. Read full article here. 

65. Last Sunday of July 2016: NTV presenter (Faith Muturi of Crossover 101) quits and in came the beautiful Grace Ekirapa from Angaza TV Show (KBC). Read full story here. 

66. August 19, 2016: DJ Official’s death. Official was one of the best producers, mentors and emcees in the Gospel Hip-Hop music industry in the US. He’ll be greatly missed.

67. There was a rumor that Gospel musician Q-tasi hit the bottle hard. Read the whole gossip here. 

68. Jamie Grace is no longer with Gotee Records. Read full story here. 

69. Gospel singer Weezdom left Bahati’s EMB Records record label.

70. Bethel Music with Brian and Jenn Johnson will be joining Jesus Culture for their 2017 Sacramento Conference.

71. John Lisu launched his album "Mtakatifu" on October 2, 2016. He invited Mercy Masika and Angel Benard to the launch in TZ. I haven’t had to listen in to the tracks on the album but I bet it is something good.

72. GRAMMY-nominated and renowned worship leader Kari Jobe will release her third studio album titled The Garden on February 3, 2017.

73. We lost Achieng Abura, one of Kenya's best songstresses October 20, 2016. May her soul rest in peace.

74. Matthew West was spotted dishing out free copies of his Christmas record "Unto Us: A Christmas Collection" in his hometown Franklin, Tennessee somewhere in mid-October.

75. Sinach's 5th live album WAY MAKER was released on 20^th November, 2016 and was available for pre-order as early as 13th November.

76. A new Anthem Lights album "Painted Skies" is coming up in 2017.

77. Sinach was in Kenya in late November for a Praise Fest at CITAM Caren and even appeared on K24 and JKL for interviews.

78. GRAMMY-nominated and renowned worship leader Kari Jobe will release her third studio album titled The Garden on February 3, 2017.

79. Billboard had this to say about last year's Christian charts > Lauren Daigle as Top Christian Artist, "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)" by Hillsong UNITED as Top Christian Song and for KING & COUNTRY as Top Christian Airplay Artist. Read more here.

80. KJ 52 will be having a new album out (JONAH) this January.


Bonface Morris.