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Wednesday, July 28, 2010

The Gospel Music According to Naija


In my workplace, I work with typical Nigerians, and typical Nigerians tend to be typically religious (typically Christian though), and typically religious Nigerians tend to play typical Naija gospel music in their stores. And that's what I'm blogging about today: Naija gospel music. I was listening to one of the songs played at work, and it went something like this:

Do you know why I believe in Jesus?
Do you know why He's so great?
On the third day, He rose from the dead
I've never seen a man who rose from the dead like Jesus Christ

Instantly, my brain nerves cells were sparking with electricity. Did she just say she has "never seen a man who rose from the dead like Jesus Christ?" Think about it, she hasn't even seen Jesus talkless of making the claim that she hasn't seen any man rise from the dead like the man she has never seen before. So I joked about this to my co-employee(who is a Christian and also owns the music), and his reply was a little shocking. This guy said that it doesn't have to make logical sense, and that gospel music is about faith not reasoning. I responded, "But don't you think she's lying, she's making a claim that isn't true, she seems to be glorifying Satan rather than Jesus? Unless Jesus appreciates liars." He laughed and "Said you just don't understand." Well, that's why I'm going to have to ask you peeps of blogsville to help me out on this one. Anyways sha, another song that caught my attention is: "I have decided to follow Jesus." After Jesus hears this, what would Jesus do? Personally, if I were Jesus, I'd open a twitter account. Afterall, people are already deciding to follow him. On His Bio, He can put, "I will make you fishers of men if you follow me," I'm sure all those single babes who are desperate for husband would click on that follow button immediately they see that Bio. But on a more serious note, Naija gospel music lacks so much originality it's comical. It's like 5,000 artist singing the same songs. You buy a Naija gospel album just to find out all the songs in that album are also in another one by a different artist. The same goes for their music videos. I swear if you take cut off the sound and only show me the video, I can still tell if it's a Naija gospel video. The settings are always the same; one setting with the artist singing alone in his/her house compound, village, behind a power-point wall or studio, another setting with other people singing the chorus for the artist, and of course, a setting with little kids dancing. Those three settings are what almost all typical Naija gospel consists of. Hype Williams needs to start producing their videos. Can I get an Amen? However, every generalization has it's exceptions, even in Naija gospel there are guys like Sammy Okposo who seems to be gifted in writing his original songs instead of singing songs that everybody else sings.

Maybe the logic in all the videos having the same elements is that they want something different from what the world does. Maybe, I really don't know. But then I discovered this Naija artist who praises God with reggae music. So obviously, there is a contradiction. But anyways, this guy is so horrible that he was the main reason I even decided to write this blog. If you think I'm lying check him out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q59L4HcGXoE

I know they say God is more concerned with the music from the heart rather than the instruments and voice, but they also say God don't like Ugly. Which really is how you describe some gospel songs like the one I posted a link to above. This is what Naija gospel is now? Naija Gospel needs a typical MFM deliverance session. Well maybe like my co-employee said, "gospel music is about faith not reasoning," maybe that explains all. Because gospel music like the one I linked you guys to is reasonably wack. Anyways my people, The Messiah has spoken.

Q
uick note: One of our brilliant contributors, El Divine, has his own independent blogspot, and y'all should check it out; http://ak-lifelessons.blogspot.com/

20 comments:

Azazel said...

Lol not only is her statement crazy it's amusing to me also.
So she believes in Jesus because Jesus rose from the dead?
Translation - I follow any man who has raised from the dead.

Lazarus rose from the dead to, me wonder why we don't worship him as well??
And I hate when some christians tell u stuff like "Oh u don't understand" like the whole thing is rocket science..

Just because the song is made to glorify God does not make it less of a lie..

El-Divine said...

hahahaha...that music sucked. big time. so much that me come dey sing ..thank god man no be god oh, cos if man be god oh, i 4 don strike that bruv dumb. like, what a pain!
ur observation is true. at a point, i dint listen to naija gospel at all, except a select few. and it seems the igbo singers are always the worst offenders in this case. they need to chill, for real.


thanks for the shout out.

Chuk said...

what exactly was ur point bro??

Azazel said...

Yeah mehn the igbo singers @ Eke always over do it, try hearing that thing @ a wedding non stop, i swear e go even make u fear to go heaven...

Anonymous said...

she believes in Christ bcuz of da significance of His resurrection and what it meanss..two different things Azazel

Azazel said...

And what exactly @ Anonymous is the significance of our lord's resurrection??
Before he died on the cross, we lived in sin, after he "died on the cross for our sins" we still live in sin...
SO please tell me, is the world a better place after our Lord's resurrection? If yes? kindly let me know what planet u've been living on and I shall move there

The Messiah said...

@El-Divine no probs bro, and tas for the music, I wonder how embarassed God must have been to hear that that music was for Him

@Chuk, well I'm criticizing Nigerian gospel music in a satirical way, I guess that's my point.

@Anonymous, she believes in something bcuz of something else she believes in (emphasis on believes instead of know)?

@Azazel hahaha @ "kindly let me know what planet u've been living on and I shall move there"

leggy said...

i rarely listen to nigerian gospel music cos they re just blahhh.i like ijoba orun by lara george though and those resonance people that sang those igbo songs.

Realist said...

chei!!! the funny thing is the confidence the guy was using to sing that rubbish, he was feeling cool with himself... Maybe he is a comedian or something, just singing so we can laugh.

@Azazel. Lazarus did not ressurect himself.

And yes, you are so right, the few videos i have seen have those 3 scenes.

The experiences of an achiever....... said...

I'm glad you mentioned the burgeoning generation that is filling the gap in Nigerian gospel..and some of them are pretty awesome..case in point..Rooftop MCs. youtube them! that "on the mic" song is just bananas!

Vanity said...

We can also argue that Jesus did not resurrect himself

Romans 10:9 says "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."

“God resurrected him by loosing the pangs of death.” (Acts 2:24)

And don't tell me God and Jesus are the same. Why do we pray to God in Jesus name??


xx

Vanity said...

http://somepeoplehaverealproblems-vain.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

i really hate to say this but its a waste arguing (or discussing the matters of God) with u guys because u all are blind and really want to remain that way..if u would just open ur eyes, i can see what i can see now..i not long ago was like that..ur looking for stuff to point out that isnt there..none of u realize the depth and meaning of the resurrection of Jesus..and just in case u wanna try to refute or deny it, its historical fact..hundreds and hundreds were martyred because of it..

The Messiah said...

@Realist, if he isn't a comedian then he is a clown, if he isn't a clown then he needs Jesus.

@The Experience of an Achiever, hate to be a Simon Cowell, but those guys don't put up groundbreaking verses and sound a little razz sometimes. Although, they make good songs, I will give them that.

@Chuk, "its historical fact..hundreds and hundreds were martyred because of it.." Hundreds of people who believed in Thor were martyred too. By Xtians for that matter. Does that make Thor a historical fact?

Unknown said...

for the power of paradox opened my eyes and blind those who say they can see..its just that simple..Jesus was God's own Fool..im a fool with Him and come join us

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvejyvnEidY

The Messiah said...

Ok Chuk, you raised a point and when I asked a question about the point you raised, this is your reply?

Unknown said...

u simply will not believe despite all u have heard..please surrender and experience God..im glad i did

Afrikim said...

lol @ Jesus on twitter...now that would be something. My mom made me listen to gospel music as a child, but then she'd swith to SWV when she was in a good mood...no pun intended...haha. Anywayz, i'm really inspired by this one, so im going to make my own video.

Unknown said...

worship is the best music there..enjoying connection with ur very own Creator..

Anonymous said...

After recently blogging on how good I thought some of the gospel music coming out of Naija was, I'm now thinking again after hearing your link to Jahmain! It is indeed truly awful. I laughed so much I moistened my boxers.
Who sponsored this infliction upon the world?
It is fact that gospel music can only speak in crass cliches - how else can complex ideas be expressed in a 3 minute song?
I'm outta here and going to listen to Greydon Square!