Obviously, last weekend, Gospel City Naija was live in the city of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. We took out time to beam our searchlight on the city's gospel parameters and yes, we found another one!
His name is D.OP.E. He is an 'uber-super-cool' gospel raptivist that can never be ignored. We got the 411 on him from the CEO of Dark Man Films and also got to listen to two of his tracks. The moment we hit play on those tracks, we knew we had to bring him on Gospel City Naija.
That same day, we met with him and he opened us up to his world and his ministration. D.O.P.E is not an average gospel rapper. He is a purpose-driven minister that spreads the message of Christ through rap. He has been involved in youth ministration for a whole decade. He is the real thing. the real McCoy.
Currently nominated in the 'NEXTRATED' category of the oncoming Nigeria Gospel Music Awards, here is a brief profile of this illustrious scion of God.
Born Chinedu Okoye and raised in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, the fast emerging hip-hop/rap crooner is one remarkable rapper that has recieved a lot of accolades from critics and cynics alike. D.O.P.E. (acronym for D-don’t let the devil, O-open up to God, P-pray without ceasing, E-encourage others) is a writer and Christian/Political underground hip-hop lyricist. He tagged himself the 'Raptivist' as a coinage that depicts his 'beyond rap' appellage.
He is a graduate of of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, were he obtained his first degree. He equally has an MBA from University of Calabar, Nigeria.His passion for music started in 1985 when he began experimenting with the microphone as a teenager.
He is a graduate of of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, were he obtained his first degree. He equally has an MBA from University of Calabar, Nigeria.His passion for music started in 1985 when he began experimenting with the microphone as a teenager.
D.O.P.E uses the powerful genre of hip-hop to create stories, imagination, ideas, energy and vision that will propel young and old people to flourish to the benefit of their society. To him, D.O.P.E. is a movement that will catalyze positive change.
The rapper/activist is known across cities in Nigeria for using music and spoken words to battle violence, inequality, poverty, unemployment, discrimination and injustice. He has performed in countless venues, concerts, schools, churches, conferences etc.
He refers to his genre as kingdom music and his debut album contains substantial doses of sarcastic wit, mind bending and humorous metaphors, and immaculate punch lines. Clearly, D.O.P.E now stands as one of the primary alternatives for fans of rap music (and any music for that matter) who are tired of hearing the repetitive, watered down, mainstream music played on today's radio and TV stations.
D.O.P.E. is also a United Nations Youth Ambassador for Peace and a representative of African Youths Development Initiative. We promise to premier his videos and audio tracks right here on Gospel City Naija.
CREDIT: www.dopebeyondrap.com
CREDIT: www.dopebeyondrap.com
Thank you Gospel City for the kind word, you just made my day. God bless you. great job.
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