Groovy gospel

The biggest gospel music event, Groove Awards goes down tomorrow at Nairobi Baptist Church, Kiundu Waweru looks at the past

Groove Awards ceremony is here with us again, tomorrow, broadcast live by KTN. As the Groove Awards grow, as evidenced by the crowds the tours commanded, so has the gospel industry, with groovy style to boot.

As Pete Odera, a gospel musician of 20 years experience reminded us last year here at Friday Entertainment, gospel music was not popular in Kenya until recently.

In fact, itfs Petefs generation that in the 1990s brought hip into gospel so as to attract the youth. Some sported dreadlocks, others studs. The conservative church of the day was not amused one bit, not even parents.

Jimmy Gait, one of this yearfs nominees, thrills the crowd in Thika. The extravaganza was part of the build-up road events towards Saturdayfs Groove Awards ceremony. [PHOTO: Evans Habil]

"We were rejected and even labelled devil worshipers. But we didnft relent because we had a mission to reach the youth; and our style attracted them." Pete told The Standard.

But the youth got the message and they took gospel to the next level, and today it can be argued that gospel musicians are giving their secular counterparts a run for their money.

Recap

And what better forum to experience this gospel flavour but at the Groove Awards ceremony. Gospel artists had hit the red carpet at the KICC in style.

The female artistes wearing flowing gowns, high heels with faces gleaming. The male artistes were in shiny suits, tight fitting jeans; many with dreadlocks, and even earrings.

At a casual glance, you would have thought this was a hip-hop event, but when the artistes hit the stage, it was well, pop gospel music. They danced, even somersaulting on stage; Juliani shook his locks even as there was a hip- hop reward category, which he won.

Contrast this scene with Petefs day. Conservatism then was the key word, where even nodding your head while singing in church was a taboo.