WHEN it comes to gospel music in Namibia in 2016, the industry did not skip a beat. It was a year of harmonising growth with quality and quantity to the tune of a message-filled gospel sound.
The year saw a number of great things happen for the Namibian music industry. While gospel music was in the past not as celebrated as it deserves to be, 2016 proved to be a super year for the gospel music scene.
This year gave birth to the Namibian Gospel Music Awards, a number of very good albums and overall growth.
The Music
Having one or two gospel songs on an album is nothing foreign to many musicians, however there are a number of outstanding full albums that have been released this year.
One of the albums that received great reviews from not only the Christian community, but the nation at large, is ‘Rise’ by Clive & The NOW Generation.
Session musician Fernando Paulus described the album as some of the best work to come out of Namibia.
Fellow session musician Wayne Mhlanga also noted ‘Rise’ as a fresh sound that is well orchestrated.
Maranatha Goroh’s ‘Smile’ and D-Naff’s ‘The Light That Shines’ are also mentioned as two of the top albums for 2016.
Entertainment journalist Selma Neshiko said that gospel musicians are now able to attract more listeners to their music because of the growth in terms of production and consciousness.
She added that the artists’ move to venture into contemporary gospel music has created a different vibe in terms of rhythm and creativity which has altered the position of gospel music in the country.
“Christian groups such as Dave Denzel Dsquare this year proved that gospel music can reach vast listeners just like any other genre. One of their gospel songs ‘Egeero’, that has a great message I must say, went so viral that one would hear people play it in bars, taxis, at parties, etc. The influence is major,” Neshiko said.
Growth
According to Ndapewoshali Ashipala of Clive & The NOW Generation, there has been a visible shift in the Namibian gospel scene over the past few years with musicians and the general public. She added that there seems to be an increasing appetite for ‘home-grown’ gospel music and Namibian artists have answered that call.
“Not only has there been an increase in the quantity of music produced, there has also been an overwhelming enrichment in the quality of the gospel music coming out of Namibia,” Ashipala said.
Both Paulus and Mhlanga said that them playing at more gospel shows including newcomers is an indication of growth and good for the future of gospel music.
Although she is yet to release an album, Esme Katjikuru has been on the gospel music scene for some time and is celebrated for her ability to take her audience and fellow worshippers on a magical journey of praise.
She said the future of Namibia’s gospel industry looks promising, and as a Christian nation, she urges people, especially in the corporate industry, to support gospel as much as they do with the kwaito, R&B, jazz, pop and other genres.
Media Coverage and Airplay
While musicians like D-Naff receive reasonable airplay, other gospel musicians are asking for more airplay.
Paulus, who is also a celebrated drummer, said that with the number of gospel shows increasing, there is a need for more media coverage.
Gospel musician Pride Mafukidze, better known as just Pride, also said that gospel music needs more support from radio stations, especially with the quality of music that is being produced by local artists.
Namibian Gospel Music Awards
The Namibia Annual Music Awards may cater to the genre with the Gospel Artist of the Year category, but this is not enough for the diversity of gospel music as it forces gospel musicians from all genres to compete for one award.
The Namibian Gospel Music Awards has brought a whole new excitement to those on the gospel music scene as it creates a bigger platform for the celebration and appreciation of gospel music and artists.
Apart from support from NBC, the awards were rather absent in the media.
Musicians To Look Out For
Pride is no stranger to spreading the gospel through song. In June, he launched his music ministry ‘Sounds of Worship’ under the theme Worship Aloud 2016 and is looking forward to doing Worship Aloud 2017 as well as release his debut album.
While the nation waits, he will be releasing a new single titled ‘Am A Winner’.
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