Opinion Article: Top 10 Trending Male Gospel Artiste 2018
Gospel Music in Nigeria has evolved exponentially in the past decades, coming from the contributions of internationally recognized gospel artiste, Dr. Panam Percy Paul, Sammie Okposo, Azu Ekiye, Midnight Crew, and to the more recent influence of religious gospel label; Love World Record Label and many more graced indie artistes, who have worked tenaciously to export Nigerian Gospel Music products to the whole world.
Many gospel artiste have contributed immensely to the development of gospel music in Nigeria in past years, however, AmenRadio has been able to spot the uprising of some male gospel artistes who have started the year 2018 with great momentum through new music releases, events attended and breathe taking plans.
Check out Our Top 10 Trending Gospel Artiste for 2018
- NATHANIEL BASSEY
First on our list is Nathaniel Bassey. Pastor Nath as he is fondly called raised the bar in Nigeria gospel music with His solemn, jazzy and spiritual interpretation of music fused with ballad and soft rock.
At a time when digital music recording was rampant, Nathaniel Bassey inspired many gospel artiste with his analogue recordings and sound.
The minister and proficient Trumpeter, recorded and mastered his debut album “ELOHIM” in Cape-Town, South Africa, in the year 2008. He has released many singles and albums such as God of Love [EP], The Son of God, This God is Too Good, and more recently Revival Flames.
At the moment, Nathaniel Bassey is sort after within and outside Nigeria.
- TIM GODFREY
After hosting two successful editions of The Fearless Concert featuring Mavin Sapp and Kirk Franklin respectively, Tim Godfrey earned himself the nickname “The Fearless Boss”.
Head Honcho at ROX Nation Entertainment, Tim Godfrey is our second trending gospel artiste for 2018.
Tim introduced an unpopular style of Choral Harmony, Arrangements and Syncopations to the Nigerian Gospel Music production. His first hit single ‘Agidigba’ in 2008 lunched him into the Gospel Music Industry followed by more works such as ‘Na You Be God’, ‘So Good’, ‘Amen’, ‘Ahaa’ which are a mixture of African rhythm and gospel vibes in her fluid form if it were literally and Walking Miracles more recently.
Tim Godfrey has been trail-blazing the Gospel Music Industry for a while and he doesn’t look like hanging his voice anytime soon as he his sold out to worship God.
- MIKE ABDUL
Mike Abdul, Spaghetti Records Boss, is another Nigerian Gospel Artiste who revolutionalised gospel music with the release of ‘Morire’. A fusion of fuji and Dancehall/Housebeat totally changed the face of Gospel Music.
Mike Abdul a member of superb and famous ‘Mid-Night Crew’, gave Mike Abdul the platform to have a good Litmus Test with Midnight Crew’s “This Fuji Thing”. The acceptance of the track by the population gave Mike the opportunity to serve the teeming audience with a fuji fusion meal.
Dazed the world with Oh My Jesu, Alleluya, Korede and His latest 30 billion Hallelujah audio and video are totally mind blowing.
- BEEJAY SAX
Beejay Sax is the first Nigeria Indie Gospel Artiste to have hosted a high class event at the Eko Hotel and Suite with no sponsors and yet had audience filling up the hall tagged “Beejay Sax Live” in 2017.
Popular Premium Gospel Saxphonist, David Abolaji Banjoko also known as Beejay, raised the bar with his amazing Saxophone playing skills.
He has two videos – Awesome God and Mighty God – to his credit.
He has quite a variety of taste in music which transcends from traditional jazz to contemporary African genre.
- ODUNAYO ABODERIN
Odunayo Aboderin, maybe not your most famous gospel musician but surely, this popular song “Elewi, Elese“ is surely not infamous in your church. Now, here we go, we introduce you to the crooner of that song.
He is of course, a singer, a song writer, a worship leader with vast experience, thereby a producer and a vocal director. He has been in the industry of the gospel music ministry even before the fame of it and has been setting the pace for interested gospel enthusiast to fall in.
In 2008, he released his first single, titled, ‘Ife’ and has released many other songs, albums, and videos. His latest release, ‘Mourning to Dancing’, a dance hall rhythm track has made an indelible mark in the gospel music industry. There is also one trait out of his many talents visible in the texture of his musical gifts, his multi-octave vocal voice range – one to be envied and emulated.
- FEMI OKUNUGA
The grand patron of ‘Only You’ in 2015 and his recently released track, ‘I Depend On You’ has since escorted Femi Okunuga into the gospel music industry with a lot of eye catching potential.
Femi Okunuga, a producer and a worship leader, has so far so good accumulated a vast experience of musical angles which has given him tentacle to brace himself with the rest of his colleagues in the music industry.
His first debut single, Open Up the Heavens touched the gospel music industry in 2012, then the second in 2013 titled ‘Emi Orun’, and Only You in 2015, But ‘I Depend On You’ is his latest single and it is fast rocking the waves this 2018.
Currently signed to the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) “One Halleluyah Records” with other world class gospel music ministers, Femi studied Theoretical Music at The Royal Music Associates.
- TOSIN BEE
Adejumobi Oluwatosin Akinkunmi, the one we all call Tosin Bee is another brilliant music minister signed to the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) “One Halleluyah Records” and his style is one associated with groove and dance.
A style that can be best understood by listening to his Debut Studio Album “Testimony” or his recently “Yes Sir” release. Tosin Bee’s live ministrations are something else entirely, nothing awkward can be noted except that Tosin and His Team praise God with “Reckless Abandon”.
One basic feature about Tosin Bee is the energy he puts on stage and the synergy of vibes one can feel while listening to his tracks will make you get a doze of his passionate worshiping spirit and love for God.
Tosin Bee has been privileged to minister at several popular altars and has worked with several Nigerian Musicians.
- DUNSIN OYEKAN
Listening to Dunsin Oyekan, one can simply identify a man of few words with deep meaning and rooted relationship with God.
Various songs from this gospel artiste such as Amazing, If All I Say Jesus, Yaweh, You Are Good and just recently I Proclaim will cause you to be slain in the spirit if you do not “allow the spirit of the prophet to be subject to the prophet”.
Dunsin Oyekan is the convener of CodeRed Worship Experience, an annual worship event where Dunsin treats audience with a dose of powerful worship songs.
Mention a few Guitarists in Nigeria, then let Dunsin Oyekan top your list. Some call him a wonder, others a ‘virtuoso musician’ in short, he is good at what he does.
- FREKE UMOH
Freke Umoh is one of Nigeria’s most outstanding gospel musicians. He is multi-talented and one of his visible gift asides from singing is being the Master of Occasions prior his sense of humor which is a part of his personality.
It is first and formal to know Freke Umoh as a Gospel Musician which is top most in his career as we can observe, a singer, a song writer and a devoted worshiper.
His recent single, ‘Ibagha’ launched into the new ears of gospel music fans in Nigeria. ‘Ibagha’, in his Akwa Ibom dialect means ‘Nobody Like God’ is one of his hit track as well as his widely sung “Atmosphere of Worship” [I can not call on your name and end up in shame, No way].
There is hardly a highbrow gospel event in Nigeria that does not feature Freke Umoh.
- FRANK EDWARDS
Ugochukwu Frank Edwards the man who mastered ‘Mma Mma’ and made the Nigerian Gospel Industry chorus ‘Oghene Doh’ and over the years has released at least 60 tracks in 7 albums which has rocked our playlist with wonderful and danceable rhythm.
He rose from the music record label of Christ Embassy, ‘Love World Records’ where names like Israel, Rozey, Chuka and many gifted artists are signed into.
Frank Edwards hails from Enugu State and led by his musical passion at the age of seven, he had grown into a song writer, a recording artist and a worship leader in his own field.
Here’s our list of the Top 10 trending male gospel artiste in Nigeria which has been carefully compiled based on observation, impact and single releases, which has earned every individual a spot on this list.
Follow On Twitter: www.twitter.com/amenradio1
Like Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/amenradio
Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/amenradio1
