GUEST BLOGGER ::: An analysis/critique of four 2013-released songs from Eben, Okey Sokay, Gaise, and Nosa

We came across this piece on twitter and had to bring it out to The City. We also had to talk to the blogger, Chisos

He is an unapologetic gospel music critic.What he does is not aimed at discouraging gospel artistes but rather, it is a form of feedback from a listener's point of view with strong recommendations and views that might rub on as scathing.

But hey, its all good. We don't have to get comfortable with below par efforts and yes, we also need to commend the ones that are impressive.

According to the reviewer, Jesus deserves better gospel songs. Thus, he grabbed his keyboard to give his remarks on some recently released songs right here and now. He makes the whole 'read' interesting with his comic outbursts and playful expressions. Yes, you can laugh along to this one as you get his useful insights...

HEY MUSICIAN, WE WANT BETTER GOSPEL SONGS.

It has been my desire for a very long time to start up a  strictly gospel music critique + review blog!.

Yup! A very looooooooooooooooooooooong time. And I give glory to God for its birth. So here goes…

In Nigeria, almost on per second billing, a new gospel song is recorded and released to the general public to be a blessing to the body of Christ (at least i hope so!). Different christian songs of different genres laden with strong and sometimes ridiculous lyrics are published daily to boost of the Gospel music scene in Nigeria and the kingdom of God (not so sure of the latter for some songs though).

I am an ardent fan of gospel music in Nigeria. A devout christian and worshiper. I love music a lot and I have heard all sorts; gospel and secular and I have developed a little knowledge of the industry being a keen watcher.

Our Heavenly Father is a God of order. He believes in excellence no matter the costs. He fights concepts like disorder, average, marginal, smallness, haphazard etc. Poor is even unthinkable. It therefore breaks my heart when artistes, who are supposed to be bearers of God’s banner churn out average even poor rating songs. Many try to copy secular songs forgetting the very essence of their calling/career and ministry.

JESUS and his Kingdom.

I’ve always wanted to shout but I keep quiet so as not to mess with people’s emotions but its getting out of hand.

BUT NO MORE!!! THIS IS SPARTA!!!

 

I’m not much of a writer, please pardon me but this is how we are going to roll. We will put up the song for listening and then critique it as objectively as possible. Everything is still my Opinion though.

WE WANT BETTER GOSPEL SONGS, JESUS DESERVES BETTER.

A REVIEW OF 4 RECENTLY-RELEASED GOSPEL SONGS 

#1 : EBEN - BABA NI BABA

You know that feeling when you love and hate something at the same time? I have that feeling for chocolate. Weird right?
That’s the same thing I feel about this song.

I suspect that my bias/ love for this song is because of that naïve thought that Eben can do no wrong in music.
But with this song,… *sigh*.
I kinda get the whole point of recording a dancehall and “groovement” jam for christians to have a nice time as a sorta replacement for the crappy songs secular artistes churn out daily which are themed around money, alcohol and sex.
Eben and quite a lot of gospel artistes have led the crusade to do us all a favour.
However, are they doing a good job?
I chose this song cos in my own opinion it has a better production compared to similar genre in his recently released “Justified” album (Wonderful job- grab ya copy noooooow!).
The hook/chorus is cool.
But my wahala are the verses. I won’t elaborate on the issues cos remember this article is supposed to be short. So I’ll keep it simple and straight.
The verses are a combo of catch phrases from several songs both gospel and secular.
There was a generous chant of dbanj’s ‘Ooooshe’ in verse 2, this I have no issue with but my grouse was a part of what I think is the bridge (or maybe not), a xerox of May D’s “Ile ijo” chorus…
“As a good boy, I go dey yin baba, yin baba, yin baba, yin baba. As a good girl, I go dey yin baba, yin baba, yin baba, yin baba”
You’re shocked abi? I thought so too.
What most of you gospel artistes don’t get about using hooks from secular acts is that their songs(secular) which always have more airplay than gospel songs would override your copy when a listener is grooving your track. I still can’t get “ile-ijo” off my mind when listening to that bit.
I believe that a job is the self-portrait of the doer.  Eben is better than this…
Every song in your album must be a hit. You must not do anything shabby just to make sure your track listing cross 12 na.
If you already have 7 great songs…voila, you have an album.
Baba ni baba is a great idea… Sweet melody and you can’t help but dance.
On a final note, our Gospel is more about words. Thus our lyrics is the koko (wink). We must always have this at the back of our minds, WE PRAISE GOD FOR HIS PLEASURE NOT NECESSARILY OURS.

           DOWNLOAD BABA NI BABA

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#2 AWA TUSH OH BY GAISE

 This song has my thumbs up. (Applause). But let’s talk about it a bit. You can’t listen to this song and not move your body. If your body doesn’t move, that could as well be a symptom of stroke… LOL It was recorded in the up-tempo beat that characterizes the usual party/dance hall jam that’s sweeping the music industry in Nigeria (at least for now).

The genre of the song, I hear is called AfroFusion (ain’t they all). Gaise rapped and sang in Yoruba and blended small English in it being his signature pattern. The verses are so on point. What I don’t get in the song is simply the relationship between the hook/chorus and the verse. The verses talk about a sweet relationship with God but in the bid to get a rhyme, you say.. Anywhere we go, E no matter the flow… I hope say you know… (((ECHO))) AWA O TUSH O!!! What did that say to you? *crickets* I guess he realized that and said in the verse 2 that “don’t get it twisted, “its still a heavenly something” I LOVE THE SONG.
  DOWNLOAD THIS SONG HERE

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 #3 OKEY SOKAY - WITHOUT YOU
 

Okey Sokey has yet again confirmed that he sure knows his onions and didn’t come into this Gospel Music industry to break melon or fry puff puff.
When this amiable singer, songwriter and producer initially posted the snippet to the song “Without You”, I wasn’t sure if it was gospel. You too, see the opening lyrics na…

From the first day I met my lover
I knew my life had changed forever
You and I Together
Was the best decision ever

I was like, hmmmm… Okey’s babe has put something inside his ice cream when he went to the gents at the Galleria… LoL
But when the song was finally released online (Downloaded mine on Praizhouse), I was like “WOW”
The summary of the song is encapsulated in the chorus…

“I just can’t live without you”

“Without You” is a LOVE SONG. A love song to God. Its also a total declaration of our dependence and commitment to Yahweh; how fickle and weak we are without Him, our Source.
Recorded in a mid-tempo ballad, Okey Sokay still retained a level of “Africaness” as the percussion sounded “Konga-ish”. Not noisy just soothing.
However, I felt that the “Chioma” part at the end of the song was unnecessary though. This is one song that would break language barriers and including a native language could create that barrier.
As usual, just my opinion.
But all the same, the song is a double thumbs up (plus big toes) for me.

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 Nosa is simply an amazing singer.His vocal dexterity is..err…permit me to use the word “enviable”. Every song performed by the “Always Pray for You” maestro were delivered with simplicity yet  sound professionalism.

No “wash”! I’m only trying to capture my love for this great man’s gift in the best possible adjective I can think of cos he does deserve it. Now with that said, let’s get down to the song at hand, “Why you love me”.

This is contemporary high-life at its best. The beat and instrumentals are just right. The lyrics, though in his signature pidgin english delivery are intelligent, well planned and thought of, not some mumbo jumbo and burukete burukete burukete (where did that come from?) which features in most of our songs nowadays, even our very own gospel music.

Ok, now my grouse with the song is that the name “Jesus” or “God” was not mentioned in the full song which is supposedly about God’s love. See, I could as well insert “Rihanna, why you love me” or “Buddha, why you love me” without stress and it’ll still pass. So the question would be Why WHO love me?

Was that on purpose? So as to be relevant in both the secular and gospel sphere? But seriously, do we need to remove Jesus or God from songs to be relevant?

Can we preach a message without The Message?

Oh well, someone would argue that its “Inspirational Music“. Please spare me the worldly jargon which. That is just an excuse that most gospel artistes use so as to have a bite in the secular market share.

The message of Jesus is the life transforming GOSPEL and not an INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE. Peeps might say, he’s not just a gospel musician na. And i’m like o……………………..k.
AS YOU KNOW, THIS IS ONLY MY OPINION. Don’t mind me o.
DOWNLOAD WHY YOU LOVE ME

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