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.

Quick 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/