The cool gospel craze

By Stevens Muendo

When American gospel artiste Kirk Franklin released his Revolution hit single in 1998 — a song co-written by Rodney Jerkins — there was a major stir in the Christian religious circles as mainstream conservative churches opposed the new gospel sound.

Kirk’s Nu Nation Project brought in a transition and engineered a revolution that caught religious folks — who had been used to the culture of "hymn book" praise — by surprise.

The lyrics to Revolution song were quite different from the ordinary Sunday morning song. It was urban, trendy and hip. The song did not only sound contemporary but it also condemned old church practices, which Kirk heaped alongside racism and other social menaces. The lyrics; "Sick and tired of church talkin’ religion, but yet they talk about each other,’’ did not go well with old school preachers. Neither did Kirk’s hip dressing style.

But the move caught up like bush fire stirring what was seen as rebellion by the youthful church lot. Most youngsters left mainstream churches and joined the more flamboyant sounding charismatic movement, which had no problem with gospel rock and hip-hop getting to the pulpit.

Indeed, a revolution had hit the American church and as the new century turned in, the craze had hit Nairobi.

Church soon became trendy. What was then regarded as lifestyle associated with secular artistes became acceptable in church as rap, rock, dance and slang became a main attraction in the holy house. Sagged jeans and mobile phone bible replaced old orthodox practices. As church became hip teenagers and young adults turned church into a hang out joint where they would meet and bond.

Some mainstream churches excommunicated ‘rebellious’ youth groups while newer churches cashed in. And what seemed to be a passing fad slowly razed through Kenya’s major towns where gospel music and cool church culture has become the talk in the streets. As 21 become the new 18, church has become the new chill out joint.

Gospel music has stolen the show in local showbiz as youthful gospel music rules the airwaves. The craze has hit the rave too with revelers in disco and nightclubs preferring hip gospel songs to secular hits.

Songs like System ya Kapungala and Shilingi ya Kenya, Jimmy Gait’s Muhadhara, Nikona Reason by Ecodida featuring Holy Dave, Pamela by SK Blue featuring Ringtone and past hit Kuna Dawa by Esther Wahome form part of the main deejay’s menu in leading city clubs.

MOG’s Let Him Go and Zing Zing by Men of God were among the biggest local songs last year. They came with the new Zing Zing dance style, which has remained popular to date.

And with this also has come a new twist as some of those gospel artistes have ironically become patrons in nightclubs. Some have even gone ahead and compromises fundamental Christian beliefs related to alcohol and sex in the name of seeking lost souls in night spots. And indeed, some hip pastors see nothing wrong with their flock visiting nightclubs as long as they are in a mission to seek the lost.

To counter this we now have gospel rave nights like the popular monthly Nairobi Cinema hosted Jesus Night where gospel deejays, musicians and dance groups entertain (minister) their fans all night long.

A thin line

The line between urban gospel and secular music has become very thin just as the lifestyles between the church and the world.

As gospel musicians turn into instant celebrities and millionaires, all eyes seem to have turned to gospel music and some secular artistes are now seeing the light.

Recently, hip-hop star DNA of the Banjuka fame ditched his secular style and gave his life to Christ confessing that he had found peace in God. Others include Cir-cute who turned to God after his Juala (featuring Jo-el) hit, Mr Googs of the Githurai single (featuring Vinnie Banton), Juliani, Brenda, not forgetting Rufftone who started the migration in 2002.

And the airwaves seem to be embracing this move. Some years ago, we only had one youthful gospel music TV show — ‘The Stomp’. But all has changed. K-Crew, a youthful Christian ministry is now running its own station, Power Radio besides hosting other shows such as the popular Kubamba music show. Esther Wahome hosts a gospel TV show while Njugush and Mike (leading gospel shows presenters) have won themselves a strong youth fan base. And now, ‘Off the Hook’, a gospel TV show in KTN is gaining momentum.

A recent report unveiled by the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) shows that gospel artistes are raking in more cash from airplay, restaurants, public vehicles and ringtones than their counterparts in the secular world.

"This comes at a time when gospel has undergone serious revolution in terms of packaging and most of them receive massive play in various clubs across the country. Gospel fans are always loyal and support their artistes," said MCSK General Manager Maurice Okoth.

"Young Kenyans are beginning to respond more to digital technology. Facebook, Youtube and Twitter are now beginning to shape the talk around the city," added the report MCSK report.

Tanzanian gospel songstress Rose Muhando leads the team of the new great music earners followed by the late Angela Chibalonza while Jimmy Gait comes third.

"This is a wave no one can stop. There are some pastors who are trying to resist it but I can tell you, wataachwa nyuma (they will be left behind)," says award-winning Daddy Owen, who is arguably the biggest youthful gospel star.

He goes on: "There is nothing wrong with the gospel going to the clubs. It’s the sick who need medicine. We need to minister to those who are not born again. And to minister to the youth we need the hype and swagger which comes with the Facebook and Twitter craze."

According to Daddy Owen, the urban gospel revolution has been on a consistent but gradual rise and time for its recognition has come.

He says: "Ours (gospel musicians) is to pass the message. After people get converted to Christ, it becomes the duty of pastors to nurture them through salvation."

Asked if it was about the money or the ministering, Daddy Owen was categorical that every effort in his music career was all about saving souls for Christ.

"I don’t understand how Christians can meet in clubs for evening fellowship. How can you discuss biblical matters in the den of sinners," wonders Dan, 24 claiming that christianity has been watered down.

However, Brenda, a youthful worship leader argues that the message of the cross is about grace.

Mavuno church

"So long as the pastor is not drunk, people should be allowed to come to church as they are.

"There is nothing wrong with getting the church trendy and hippy as it simply goes down to embracing with new communication trends," she asserts.

Hook ups

A joke was made on how young men leave the clubs on Sunday morning and head to church in the morning arguably to hook-up with ‘good’ girls.

One of the leading city churches has even been labeled the celebrities church and now hosts most of the showbiz biggest names in the contry.

From drunkards to drug addicts, the doors are open for all. The Sunday preachings are not harsh and do strongly condemn evil. However, gradually, after getting converted, young people are taken through mentorship classes where they are discipled on the fundermentals of Christian faith.

Mavuno church for example has ‘Mizizi’, a mentorship programme for newly converted and willing individuals — who could be struggling with various addictions.

The fact is local urban gospel music has grown in leaps and bounds over the last five years.

Producers like Robert Kimanzi (R Kay) has been on the forefront of producing quality gospel music and is giving secular producers a run for their money.

a breakthrough

"The adoption of modern beats into gospel music has helped gospel music grow to its current popularity," says R Kay.

"Fusing contemporary beats such as hip-hop, Lingala and Kapuka into gospel has given gospel a youthful appeal," he adds.

The revival of the gospel Groove Awards has also helped to ignite the new gospel flame.

"With competition comes quality. I believe Groove has helped popularise gospel music in Kenya. The awards bring gospel artistes together and strenghten the industry," says Groove awards organsier Kevo.

However, the breakthrough comes after major hiccups which had the pionners of the revolutioned suffering in the hands of consevative church leaders.

After releasing the hit song Fundi wa Mbao (off their album Zaidi ya Mziki) the Gospel Fathers suffered a blow from their local pastors who claimed the song demeamed the ‘personality’ of Jesus — the son of a carpenter.

And even Daddy Owen suffered criticism from a section of the church after he came up with the new Kapungala beat, donning his new dyed hair look.

‘’It is the content in the music that matters and people should stop judging gospel artistes harshly," defends Gait whose Huratiti is climbing up the charts.

And Victor Mbuvi concures: "We are only vessels through which God gets the message out there."