Contemporary Gospel In the Dark

Contemporary Gospel music in Ghana has come a very long way, it has probably been here longer than hiplife has. Taking into consideration the brighter days of Joyful way incorporated, Rev. Yawson and all the other talented musicians who blessed our hearts with gospel music of international standard through their God Given talents, it's been here long enough to be given its own category at the annual Ghana Music Awards. That wouldn't be too bad, would it? But is that what we want for Contemporary Gospel Music in Ghana? Some would say yes, but I do not think that's what we need now.

Now, more than ever, Contemporary Gospel Music in Ghana has coiled itself into a little pile sitting in the auditoriums of some charismatic churches. Contemporary Gospel has become music for the young, educated and classy. It is therefore not surprising to notice its absence in the midst of the average Ghanaians who might be uneducated and unsophisticated. That is not to say that the quality of Contemporary Gospel should be compromised just so it gets a place among that 60% of Ghanaian who are believed to be illiterates. No. As a matter of fact I don't think the unpopularity of contemporary gospel has anything to do with the high quality (western styled) of production. If you disagree with me lets look at this:

1. Kojo Antwi's music is of a very high quality and is loaded with lots of R&B, jazz elements and yet he is one of the highest selling artistes in this country.

2. Gh Rap is mainly done in English with very sophisticated beats and yet the average Ghanaian loves it (though GH rap has it's self induced problems of sales)

3. Lastly but most confusing, is It not the Ghanaian who is believed to be illiterate who spends income on those Nigerian movies in which they speak English only? Is it not these same people who spend hours upon hours watching and enjoying so many movies on TV?

So why is Contemporary Gospel Music looked at as music for the “classy Christian”? The only fault I can think of is that, the musicians themselves have made it so. They only market contemporary gospel music to the people in the “high class churches”. It's as simple as that. Contemporary Gospel has failed to break into lime light because the very people who produce that kind of music are not putting in enough effort to make sure it does. When it comes to the quality of the songs and their concerts I'll give them double thumbs up. Watching artistes like Danny Nettey, Nii Okine, The Impact Project, Habour City Mass Choir others minister, give one a feel of heaven. What these guys should do is market their music well enough to the ordinary Ghanaian. So that they get the same attention that Christiana Love or Ohemaa mercy or Kwaku gyasi or Ernest Opoku would get from the average Ghanaian. They should try and get enough airplay on radio stations aside sunny fm and spirit fm, because truth be told, it is the same “classy Christian” who listens to sunny or spirit or sweet melodies.

I believe that everybody can enjoy contemporary or urban gospel music. A perfect example is Nii Okine's Moko be, Noble Nketia's Se mete asi yi which became popular amongst people of all classes.

If anybody stiil doubts that the problem of the unpopularity of contemporary Gospel Music in Ghana can be solved with good marketing tactics, let not the person look too far, listen carfully, what's the most popular contemporary Gospel song in Ghana right now? Igweeeeeeeeee. These days that's all what you here when you turn on your radio. Igwe. A song which's lyrics Ghanaians don't understand. Just look at how we have accepted it. We sing it at our church services, weddings, parties, everywhere. And to top it all people are actually buying the CDs.

So why do we sit and say that contemporary gospel in Ghana is not so popular because the people are not used to that kind of music, or because it is done in English (which is untrue anyway: most of them are done In twi)? Why have we drawn a line between the usual Ghanaian Gospel songs and contemporary gospel? Why do some people frown over the former and hail the later on the basis of quality. Christiana Love or Kwaku Gyasi's sound quality is not that bad! Their songs are actually very good. But this mentality has been pushed into the minds of Ghanaians by the very people who are supposed to promote contemporary gospel music. It has become so bad that, today when you attend a concert or even watch or listen to their promo on TV or radio you know straight away if its a contemporary gospel show or the traditional highlife/reggae rhythm gospel. Because it's cotemporary, it has a particular set of singers and if it's the traditional, it also has its separate line of musicians. This is really terrible. For me, the only difference between Contemporary and traditional Gospel, is style (The message remains the same) and that does not warrant that kind of separation.

Remember, they is no issue of class when it comes to the Gospel of Christ. Christ died for all. “ There is no Greek nor Jew, slave nor free, male nor female, for we are all one in Christ” – Gal 3:28.