POOR QUALITY GOSPEL MUSIC IN NIGERIA

Have you ever heard a song that moved you, transformed your life to the point where you couldn’t wait to tell your friends about it? Well, that is the kind of feeling you should experience when listening to Gospel Music.

Now, let us look at the word “GOSPEL” and “GOSPEL MUSIC”.

The term Gospel means Good News. If Gospel is good news, the Gospel Music is a spiritual vehicle through which Christianity has been dispersed to audience all over the world; this rhythmic sound has become a major part of the Nigeria Music Industry. 

The Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA) Choir in the 1960s was popular for the kind of songs and words put together to reach lives. In the early 70s, Evangelist Bola Are, Sola Rotimi and the likes were notable in their genre of Gospel Music through Evangelism. Also between 1970-1980, Arch Bishop Benson Idahosa’s Choir (The Christian Redeemed Voices) was also known for their outstanding and spirit-lifting ministration in Church.

In 1990s, Panam Parcy Paul, Asu Ekiye, Sammie Okposun and others were also known for their soul lifting songs. Well, quite a number of Gospel artists have released songs that are life changing and impactful, such as Foluke Umosen, Segun Obe, Samsong, Frank Edwards, Freke Umoh, Rev. Victor Atenega and many more.

Over times, some Gospel artist have devised means of venturing into secular songs, featuring secular artist because of ‘quick money and fame’ and deviating from their main purpose and call. Well, this is another issue for another day.

Now, the question is who should be held responsible for poor quality Gospel Music in Nigeria? Could it be that Gospel artist no longer have spiritual and meaningful inspiring songs?, are the lyrics and beats below professional standard or could it be that we don’t spend enough time for spiritual preparation especially from God’s Word? Or spend quality time on our vocal enhancement, read music materials?, Or is it that we don’t have a Gospel TV Station like One Gospel to promote Gospel Songs in Nigeria? Where is the meeting point between skill and the anointing?

These are million dollar questions seeking answered and to ponder about!!!