THE EVOLUTION OF GOSPEL MUSIC IN NIGERIA

THE EVOLUTION OF GOSPEL MUSIC IN NIGERIA

                Gospel music has evolved in recent times with the introduction of several genres of music making it accepted and appealing to an audience of diverse groups, races and tribes of people without loosing it's essence being the message ( the good news ). However, in Africa there's been a long line of Gospel musicians who didn't just entertained the audience but preached the Gospel with power through the songs they ministered. Anyone who grew up in West Africa as of the early 1999 to early 2000's can attest to the fact that the music of Gospel has evolved far beyond what it used to be know for. At this times, the music was more of a slow kind of heart felt worship and praise which most times included prayers and supplication. Then it was more focused on exhortation with no entertainment. Then the likes of VOICE OF THE CROSS and a host of others pioneered this season.

                          However, the evolution began with Dr Panam Percy Paul. Gospel music took a new face, a new shape, a new vibe, a new look but still had thesame message of the kingdom of God. Dr Panam brought life , vibe and energy to Gospel music and it went from being slow to something groovy, with many different genres that the public had before that time felt it could never be a Gospel genre. He brought African Gospel music to the global stage and gave it wide acceptance across diverse tribes, cultures and traditions. This is also the time we had the likes of Women Of Faith, Ron Kelony, Don Moen and a host of other foriegn praise and worship artists. But one spectacular attribute of Africans wherever they're from is that the love to groove and dance which makes their music " Afro " something groovy and danceable. After years passed, Gospel music took another vibe with the introduction of Hip hop, Rock , Soul , Reggae, Pop, Afropop, Rap, and many more genres of music. 

                              Gospel act Frank Edwards made the breakthrough when he featured TB1 in a single titled You too dey bless me which TB1 ( The Blessed One ) did a rap and for the first time, Gospel Rap music gained wide and public acceptance by everyone. That was a big first step for the Gospel as TB1 went on to establish BIG NATION, FRANK EDWARDS brought ROCK TOWN RECORDS, TB1 went on the co-found BLW RAPNATION, EEZEE TEE brought the likes of MERCY CHINWO, GUC , JUDIKAY and a list of other artists, EBEN, JAHDIEL, ISRAEL STRONG, TESTIMONY JAGA, PASTOR SAKI , PROTEK ILLASHEVA, NOLLY CIA, SAM JAMZ, TRU SOUTH and internationally renowned worship leader SINACH is just a little of the countless Gospel artists scattered in every city all over Africa and this is just the beginning of what God is doing.

                              In Port Harcourt Nigeria, Gospel  music is also taking the lift as artists like ANDE.S, SENSATIONAL DELE, SAMMY HART, KING'SVIBE, WISE SOUNDS, CONVICK, DORIS FRANCIS, and a host of others are putting the Gospel on the lips of people conciously or unconciously. God is helping us. Watch out for more is coming.