Why I Review Nigerian Gospel Music

I have been meaning to state my philosophy on reviewing Nigerian gospel music for a while now, and decided that this was the best time to do it.  I should probably have done this before I started actually reviewing the songs, but I wasn't ready then.  I still don't feel ready (LOL) but I think I am in a better position now than I was before.  A part of me feels like this is like campaigning AFTER the election, but it's better late than never, right? (You better be nodding). I should get to it, shouldn't I? Before I start though, I need to say that this is an open post, i.e. I will add to it as I learn more on this journey.  Yes, I am still learning, and I still have a lot to learn :-)

*Adjusts glasses and assumes serious demeanor*

LADIES:  If you wear makeup, have you ever tried applying makeup on your face in pitch darkness? #DontRaiseYourHand

GENTLEMEN:  Have you ever tried cutting your own hair (the one on your head) in the dark? With a comb and razor blade? #PleaseDontRaiseYourHandEither

BOTH LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:  Have you ever dressed up in the dark?

For the ladies, you know applying your makeup looks different in natural light versus artificial light.  And for the gentlemen, unless you want to end up with a 'reverse mohawk,'  (tufts of hair on both sides of your head and a huge 'Red Sea' a.k.a 'Gorimapa' in the middle) you know it's better to get your hair cut professionally.  Granted, some ladies still look like Ojuju Calabar regardless of whether their makeup was done in the dark or light.  Here's where I am going with this:  The bible talks about how silly it is to look at your appearance/reflection in a mirror, see your flaws and do nothing about your appearance (James 1:23-24).  Those verses actually talk about listening to God's word and not obeying it.  For my own purposes, I remembered those verses for the sake of the analogy the Bible uses.  If you look in the mirror and see flaws in your appearance, the logical/rational thing to do is to make necessary changes.

Going by the questions I asked above, if you do all these activities in the dark and do not look at your appearance in the mirror to cross check, you might think you look perfectly fine, and walk around all day with that misconception. That is, until a bus conductor who no send bursts into laughter and asks you: "Bros, s'ota yin lo ba yin g'erun yi ni?" (Bros, is it your enemy who barbed this hair for you?) For the ladies, before you climb on top of that okada, the okada man might do a double take and make a comment along these lines: "I no know say masquerade don plenty like dis for Lagos!"

Whether you like it or not, both the bus conductor and the okada man have done the same thing:  They have given you FEEDBACK.  Yes, your mirror is there to give you feedback and if you don't use it and make changes, other people will do it for you.  And they'll be very rude. Yup, dem no send at all.

So, what I try to do here is to give artistes, music producers, the whole team, qualitative FEEDBACK.  The keyword here, is "TRY."  I still struggle with the format of these reviews and even the format of the blog post in general.  But at the heart of it,  I truly want to see these artistes improve musically because just giving them generic responses like "Good song" or "Nice song" isn't going to cut it.  But I am just one person.  Please add your voice in the comment section to give these artistes a well-rounded view as well. Thanks in advance :-)

Furthermore, Nigerian gospel music is very unique for many reasons.  One of those reasons is that it is still changing.  I'll have to save this for a later blog post because there's a lot I want to say here, but let me say this before I vamoose:  We've transferred our praise and adoration from gods and idols who have no power to save, to GOD Almighty.  But our culture itself is still steeped in idolatry.

There are those who believe "Christian" is synonymous with "Western culture" and do not advocate infusing any traditional elements in Nigerian gospel music.  There are others who believe that we can take the style of worship used to worship other gods and just pretty much 'change the lyrics' and offer it to God in worship.  It's complicated, to me.  I'll deal with this in a separate blog post.  However, what I really believe is that Nigerian gospel music is a reflection of what the Nigerian Church considers to be worship music.  And as you know, the Nigerian Church is made up of all these different denominations, hence the myriad of conflicting views and opinions.

In conclusion, Nigerian gospel music has a long, long way to go.  It needs A LOT of work and happens to be the kind of music I find relevant and connect with the most. Of course these are not the only reasons why I listen to and review Nigerian gospel music, but like that Yoruba proverb says (I paraphrase in English): It is not all the clothes in the house that you spread outside to dry.  In other words, these are the reasons I am willing to share.  These reviews are my own way of speeding up or at least contributing to the process of change I want to see.

That's it.  Have a blessed week ahead.  Happy New Month in advance.

I was also wondering why you like talking about them, now I know.

 Your reviews are straight to the point, very articulate and honest.Like you said, Nigerian Gospel music still has a long way, and i f the artistes you review stick to your advice, it will go a long way in improving their artistry. Keep up the good work sis, i dey your back Kampe

Kayode Martins

relentless builder,
i loved the analogies about grooming yourself in the dark. such good writing.

Asha

Hmmm. It is nice to know the whys behind the what. You do a good job. ITt is a journey and you never know where your critiques would take you or the artist.

Lol at your analogies. 

Atilola: Yes, these are some of the reasons underlying my decision to review Nigerian gospel music.  Yup! Now you know.

Kayode:  Thanks a lot for the compliments and support.  I give God all the glory! I am not nearly as honest as I would like to be, but I'm making progress.  Slowly, but surely getting there. Yes, the industry still has a long way to go and I hope the artistes actually take my suggestions to heart.  I'll keep on trucking.  I no get choice.

Asha:  Aww! Thanks for the compliments :-) That's they way I see it, and I think analogies make my points clearer.  So I decided to share. I am glad you loved it!

AdeOla:  Thanks for the compliments, Madame JostWrite! You're right on captioning this experience a "journey." For real, I don't know where these critiques will land me sha, but hopefully, it will be in a better place than my starting point.  More importantly, I hope these artistes truly grow and develop musically.  It'll make a big difference if they take their craft more seriously.  

My analogies, shay? That's the way I see it o!

Knowing you as a lover of music, this is another insight and I must say you really do take time to review. Sometimes I'm too lazy to even listen to the songs. As for the dressing in dark and beholding in a mirror, it's sad that's what is happening. Just as we forget the reflections fast once we leave the mirror, so is the love for God growing thinner these days. I pray we live true to what really matters.

Michael: I am yet to meet someone who doesn't like music. But I accept my new "title": Lover of music ;) Thanks for the compliments too. Baba God noni. So, you don't listen to the songs? Sometimes or everytime? *Gasp of horror and shakes head slowly* Hehe! I appreciate your honesty, jare and I understand. When you have time though, abeg listen, ehn. I say Amen to your prayer too.

Its nice to know dat...there are people like you.....who are trying hard to see dat Gospel Music unique... I pray others will see the need to make Gospel Music worth listenning to...just as u're doing...

Mr Eddie

Mr.  Eddie:  It's nice to know that people actually read these reviews and that artistes like yourself appreciate the feedback.  It makes it worth all the effort.  Thanks for the encouragement as well.  I say a Big AMEN to your prayers.  Stay creative too.  All the best!

U can now download #RaBaba by @firstklazgold ft. @sermon101 from 4shared.com at http://bit.ly/GNzorm. u'll love dis Holy Ghost Party Jam

Ayodele La

Ayodele La:  Thanks for sharing RaBaba with me.  I will check it out.

You can now download "Victorious" produced by Cobhams Asuquo

Chinedu Raymond

You can now download "Victorious" produced by Cobhams Asuquo http://www.reverbnation.com/chineduraymond

Chinedu Raymond

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