When we think of gospel music, our minds often drift to the serene, soul-stirring melodies that lift our spirits and draw us closer to the divine. These are sounds that evoke deep reverence, often accompanied by the gentle strum of strings, the closing of eyes, and the raising of hands in worship. While this is a beautiful and cherished expression of gospel music, it’s important to remember that it’s not the only way this powerful genre can touch our hearts.
Over the years, the Nigerian gospel music scene has blossomed with an abundance of gifted worshippers. From every corner of the nation, God has called forth sons and daughters, not just with remarkable voices and songwriting talents, but with hearts brimming with His spirit. Their work speaks for itself, and as the good book says, “By their fruits, you shall know them.” And if the fruits are anything to go by, it seems the harvest has been particularly bountiful.
From the days of Mama Bola Are and Panam Percy Paul to Chioma Jesus, Agatha Moses, Tope Alabi, Sinach and now Nathaniel Bassey, Dunsin Oyekan, Victoria Orenze, Onos Ariyo, the Nigerian gospel music scene has continuously graced the world with some of the most passionate worshippers. Each generation has brought forth voices that resonate far beyond our borders, leaving an indelible mark on hearts and souls everywhere.
As with everything in life, evolution is inevitable. The seeds planted by a few outliers over the years has blossomed into a vibrant creative movement. Today, a new generation of young Christians are making music from the church and for the church, but with a fresh, distinct style. They call it “Afrogospel.”
In Afrogospel circles, there’s a popular saying: it’s not a genre, but a movement. This vibrant collective of young Christian musicians are reshaping gospel music by infusing it with a rich blend of African sounds and styles. Whether it’s Hip-Hop, RnB, Amapiano, Afrobeats, or Afrofusion, these artists are bringing the message of Christ to life in a way that resonates with today’s youth. Their music isn’t just about spreading the word; it’s about making it accessible and relevant, all while addressing social and cultural issues that extend the reach of the Gospel far beyond the church walls.
In the late ’90s and early 2000s, groups like KUSH, Rooftop MCs, Midnight Crew, Infinity, and artists such as Sammy Okposo, Bouqui, Buchi, Eben, and DJ Gosporella were pushing the boundaries of gospel music with fresh, innovative sounds. Yet, many of them were seen as outliers, often not fully embraced by the church. Midnight Crew’s track “This Fuji Thing” from their solo debut album Igwe even hints at this tension—they played Fuji music in church and were met with disapproval. These stories laid the foundation for what we now know as Afrogospel—a movement that blends the Gospel with youth culture, making it more relatable to a new generation.
Today, the Afrogospel movement is thriving, thanks to trailblazers like Protek and Gaise Baba, who were among the earliest to shape this dynamic scene.
By Tunrayo ilesanmi
