One of Kenya’s most enterprising gospel musicians, Evelyn Wanjiru has waded in the gospel music and language debate.
She spoke to Kwame Dadzie on Joy FM’s (X) Twitter Spaces on Wednesday, December 6, 2023 about a recent admonition Nigerian artiste Nathaniel Bassey made to Ghanaian gospel musicians.
During his ministration at the Accra Sports Stadium at the Jesus Christ Encounter, Nathaniel prophesied that Ghanaian gospel music would be crossing boundaries soon but this would be possible if gospel musicians in Ghana use more English for their compositions.
“In the next 4 to 5 years, Psalmist from Ghana will come to Nigeria and host their own concert, that your songs will rise from Ghana to the nations of the earth.
As a way of instruction, can I plead with Ghanaian music ministers to write songs in English? Yes I know you love your local dialect, Twi but there is an anointing on you and the world needs to hear your songs,” Nathaniel Bassey said.
Evelyn, like a lot of other gospel musicians and enthusiasts, agreed to Nathaniel advice, but noted that African music could break boundaries if some territories became more receptive to foreign music.
According to her, some African artistes have a lot of songs in English but they are not able go far because bigger markets like Nigeria have made it difficult to penetrate their market.
“I agree with Nathaniel Bassey on reason we have to do our songs in English,” she said highlighting other variables that inhibit the visibility of African gospel music in various countries.
Citing Nigeria as an example, she said while the Kenyan music industry is receptive to foreign music particularly Nigerian gospel songs, the reverse is not true in Nigeria.
Evelyn mentioned some of the challenges she personally encountered while promoting her songs in Nigeria.
“It is a good challenge. I just pray that the Lord will quicken our spirit and he’s already started doing it. It is so unfortunate that we are not getting those spaces to be able to market our music in their circles because there are a lot of boundaries, a lot of restrictions, there are a lot of togetherness [on the part of Nigerians].
I remember two years ago I tried to push my works in Nigeria and I was asked to pay $800 dollars to be able to put it on 3 or 4 blogs. In Kenya, you don’t pay for playing music. I mean you present your work and the presenters just play, not even for foreign musicians,” she said.
She further noted that written a gospel songs in any language comes from inspiration, a reason musicians should not be compelled to compose songs in any particular language.
Evelyn Wanjiru who featured on Celestine Donkor’s Favour Everywhere is looking forward to doing more collaborations with Ghanaian artistes.
She is known for songs such Celebrate, Jehovah Elohim, Waweza, Hossana, Holy, Nikufahamu, among others.
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