I Recommend, You Listen: 5 Naija Gospel Songs to Power Your Week

Almost everyday, I receive emails from Nigerian gospel artistes, promoters, bloggers, etc sharing new music with me.  While I would love to tell you that every single song I listen to is awesome, uplifting and unforgettable (in a good way), that is not the case.

So, I have decided that in addition to sharing new releases with you, I will also compile a list of recommended, hand-selected songs for you to add to your music playlist. These songs will be uplifting, inspiring and encouraging to power your week.

Who doesn't want that? :-)

If you have any songs you would like to recommend, kindly send the relevant details (music file, i.e. mp3 or mp4, cover art and press release / biography) to music@therelentlessbuilder.com.

Here is the first set of recommended Nigerian gospel songs to power your week.


1. Bunibe - Obiora Obiwon




Released in September 2015, Bunibe is a "unique pop interpretation of the trendy highlife polyrhythmic sounds traceable to south-eastern Nigeria, Obiwon’s origin." Obiwon gives you different scenarios, everyday life experiences where you have to "bunibe" your way to victory.

According to Obiwon, Bunibe means "to lift," "to raise" and "to praise."

The song was produced by Phat-E.

21 Intriguing Questions for the Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe



Do you remember that nursery rhyme about the old woman who lived in a shoe?

You don't?!

*shaking head in slow motion*

That is totally unacceptable!  And yes, I am judging you.  We have to rectify (chei, see grammar!) this before Christmas.

Before the month of November ends, you must re-learn this nursery rhyme by force.  No, you don't have a choice.  :-)

Here is the version most of us are familiar with, courtesy of Wikipedia:

DELIGHTFUL DUETS: Alagbada Ina - TY Bello and Msugh Anom


TY Bello

When TY Bello released her current album, The Morning SongBook on October 10, 2014 (10-10-2014), there were a couple of songs that I was immediately drawn to.

One of them was the 2nd track titled, Alagbada Ina.  From the moment I heard it, I knew it was just a matter of time before I would share it here.  So, here I am sharing it with you! :-)

Promise for the Week: Isaiah 62:3 (ESV)



MUSIC: FlamzNation - One Experience of You [Produced by Sola Soetan]

From Left to Right: Azubuike George Nkem, Olamibode Olaleye-Brown, Deborah "Debbie" Brown [Center], Fisayo Agbetunsin, Joseph "Joe" Tara [Songwriter / Band Leader]


Every now and then, you come across songs that make you pause, ponder and reflect.

That's what One Experience of You did for me.

Sure, it's not a gbao gbao, scatter dis place, shake bodi for Jesus kind of song.

No, this is clearly a worship song.

But that's not the only reason I'm sharing this here.

MUSIC: Nelly Viano - The Way You Do



Before I say anything, guess who produced this song?

No, not me!

Nelly Viano a.k.a NVBeatz, the artiste also doubled as the producer of this track.

Now, you'll have to listen to assess it for yourself.  :-)

Here is the artiste's bio and the other details he shared alongside this release:

6 Jigidem Igbo Gospel Songs You Should Listen To


If you are even a casual or occasional listener of Nigerian gospel music, you'll notice that some songs share the exact same title.

One of such recurring song titles is Jigidem, which in Igbo means "Hold me" or "Uphold me."

I started compiling this list about two years ago (can you believe it?) and yet I have just 6 songs to share today.  Honestly, I would have loved a much longer list, but it's just these 6 songs for now.

In no particular order, here are six songs titled "Jigidem" rendered almost entirely in Igbo:

  1. Numen - Jigidem
  2. 6 Team - Jigidem Aka (Hold my hands)
  3. Axios Choir - Jigidem
  4. Brother Emmanuel and Brother Lazarus (Voice of the Cross) - Jigidem Onye Nwem
  5. Uchay Davis - Jigidem
  6. Winny A1 - Jigidem

And now, the fun part: listen to each song.  Enjoy!

Digestives v. HobNobs: Which is your favorite McVitie's biscuit?



So, what prompted this post?

An advert o! A radio jingle.

I was listening to Inspiration FM sometime last week, and heard this (for lack of a better word) "razz" advert.  I was shocked to find out it was for McVitie's.  Okay, call me bush, but in all my life, I have never heard a McVitie's advert.  Or seen one for that matter.  Yes, I am one of those people who believe that a child is just born with the knowledge that you haven't lived until you've eaten McVitie's Digestives biscuits.

MUSIC: Boluwaduro - Reason Featuring Psalmos



How is your week going? Mine is going well, so far.

Regardless of how your week is going, you need to remember why you are alive and why you should be grateful.  That's where Boluwaduro comes in.  She reminds us in her song, Reason, that Jesus is the reason why we live.

Here's more information on this artiste and the song:

Gospel music minister, Boluwaduro, is out with a brand new single, a powerful rock piece titled "REASON" featuring one of Naija's finest vocalists and music ministers, Psalmos.

They Speak Good English, But They Write Terrible "Fear Go Catch You" Grammar



You probably read this, and thought:

"Wait a minute, isn't it the other way round?"

My answer: "Does it matter?"

The bottom line is that something is not adding up. And in any case, I think you're more likely to meet the sort of person this post is dedicated to.

Good Pikin for House, Bad Pikin for School


For the record, Pikin means "Child."  Straight from the Nigerian Pidgin English dictionary ... if such a thing exists.

You know it is possible for a child from a good background, with "proper home training" like we say, to stray.  And the place where the child manifests that waywardness is in school.

Soundtrack of the Week: Jesu N'Abba (Jesus My Father) - Benita Iyere-Okojie



Jesu N'Abba means "Jesus My Father" in Esan, and this song by Benita Iyere-Okojie is essentially a prayer "appreciating God for His daily mercies while also asking for continued protection and favour." [Source]

Does Cultism Really Start in Secondary School?


I was listening to a radio program recently and some of the listeners mentioned this: they joined secret cults in secondary school.  Their teachers knew, but their parents had no clue.

How come?

And since when did secondary students start joining cults?

This Friday's Free Downloads | Featuring: Kunle Kenny, Tolazee, Rooftop MCs

This edition of Free Downloads is special for two reasons: (1) It's the first one this year; and (2) It's the first one in February.

What were you expecting me to say? *laughs*

Today, I'll be sharing music from the following artistes:


  1. Kunle Kenny - Ose Baba (Thank You Father)
  2. Tolazee - Sise (Work)
  3. Rooftop MCs - Laddah

Now, for the press releases:

1. Kunle Kenny - Ose Baba Featuring Anuu


I love love love the cover picture.  It needs to be framed and hung on a wall.  Kunle Kenny in action!
Kunle Kenny, a music minister known for his ‎divine ability to take you beyond the veil in praise and worship, has released a new single titled "Ose Baba" as we await his EP(Extended Play).

SONG REVIEW: Tolazee - Sise (Work)


Tolazee, who has been featured on this blog for his single, Bintin Laye, released a new single, earlier this year, titled Sise.  It means "Work" in Yoruba, and the gist of the song, which is, work hard is embedded in the chorus:

Sise
Work

Ma se s'ole
Don't be lazy

After listening to this song, one thing should be clear: A lazy person cannot be friends with Tolazee.

*laughs*

Okay, not really.  I'll let you listen first and then judge for yourself what Tolazee is saying.

DELIGHTFUL DUETS: Ku'se - Psalmos and Kenny K'ore


How often do you come across a duet sang in Yoruba?  Rarely.  What about a duet sang in Ekiti dialect? Even rarer.

So, now you know why I had to share this song with you.  It's titled Ku'se by Psalmos, featuring Kenny K'ore, and it's a must-listen-to-by-fire-and-by-force.

Ku'se literally means "Well done" and it's a song of thanksgiving and praise to God.

Happy New Year! It's Time to Celebrate with Ogecha



Happy New Year! 2015 is off to a great start, and what better way to celebrate than with music?  This song just sets the tone for the year. But before we go there, let me just say that I am truly grateful for all your support in 2014.  You guys are more awesome than you know, and I look forward to conquering 2015 with you guys!

And now for some music ....