Tag: Kenyan Gospel Industry News

Hot on Gospel Streets: Kenya meets South Africa in Foreman’s new Banger ‘Kua Tayari’

Posted on by Kibaki Muthamia

Ever tried writing lyrics to a song? It’s not a lazy walk in the park. Lots of time, you have to wrack your brain for days on end.

It can be easier, if you are in Genge – or, Urbantone – for their audiences hardly give a thought to the lyrics.

Gospel artist Msanii Foreman during a past charity drive for the homeless in Arizona, USA. (File images)

Gospel artists have a bigger task. Getting it right means much more than simply reading a part of the Bible that has some impression and starting a melody that fits to the words on your guitar. You need a message that counts.

Besides, you need to make it interesting to grab an audience.

Msanii Foreman is an US-based Kenyan gospel artist and philanthropist. He has an impressive tally of gospel hits under his belt, landmark collabo’s with iconic artists in the industry and an insatiable Kenyan’isque appetite for growth.

Through his music Foreman has increasingly portrayed himself first as an evangelist with a message.

Secondly, with his characteristic energetic stage performances, choreographed video routines and contemporary style – Foreman has also cemented a reputation as a gospel entertainer.

There is a lot of flair and contagious energy in his productions – the kind that will have the congregation (and, party crowds) going nuts with dance!

The video to Foreman’s latest release ‘Kua Tayari’ produced by Sean On The Beat, has caused waves across various genres.

He has featured Moabi Kutu in the banger – the iconic US-based recording artist from Soweto, South Africa. As an individual artist, Kutu’s music is rooted in African rhythms, tonality and spirituality.

US-based South African recording artist Moabi Kutu (file image)

In the ‘Kua Tayari’ collabo, Msanii Foreman and Moabi Kutu have exploited an effortless chemistry to deliver a feel-good, spiritually-uplifting and entertaining sound. The track has enchanting elements of Afro-pop, Lingala and World Music.

The ‘Kua Tayari’ video is especially addictive to watch. No budgets were spared in the dance choreography, costumes and routines. The video directed and shot by Abudja of Ona Tena Media goes all out on cinematography – lighting, scope and all – to deliver the danceable bits of the track.

It is a video that would easily take over Dance Challenge contests on TikTok and other consumer platforms.

If anyone asks, say that ‘Kua Tayari’ by Msanii Foreman featuring Moabi Kutu definitely ranks high on my favorite Gospel tunes. It packs a lot of potential.

Here’s a link to the video. Check it out, share to your gang and hear their opinions.

Should secular artists continue releasing gospel music?

Posted on by David Kingsley

The local music industry is very interesting. The reason I’m saying this is because what happens is the exact opposite of what is expected under normal circumstances.

Also read: Kenyan gospel artists must wake up

For instance, you expect that secular artists, who often viewed as wayward, will release songs that mock God and tell us to disregard his teachings since they don’t really believe in Him themselves.

On the other hand, gospel artists, who are perceived as upright by members of the society, are expected to spread the word of God, win more souls to Christ and live according to his teachings.

Sauti Sol

However, what happens on the ground is different. More often than not, gospel artists do very little in spreading the word of God and the truth is secular artists have won more souls to Christ.

If you look at the songs which have been released by both sides over the last few years, I’m pretty you will agree with me gospel artists have abdicated their role.

If you are in doubt, perhaps you should ask yourself when was the last time that you listened to a gospel song and felt like it touched your life.

Nyashinski

On the other hand, there are countless songs by secular artists that you listen to and you feel like God will never leave you in your time of need. They are Nadia Mukami’s Maombi, Sauti Sol’s Kuliko Jana, Nyashinski’s Mungu Pekee etc.

This really got me thinking because I can tell you for free that this trend is not about to go away. I often wonder if the so called secular artists should continue releasing gospel songs.

And the answer is yes because at the end of the day, the main goal is still achieved. The truth is that gospel artists are no longer serious about God’s work and we must give it to their secular counterparts for stepping up.

Listen to Maombi by Nadia Mukami below.

Bahati is a disgrace to the gospel fraternity

Posted on by David Kingsley

It’s hard to understand what Kevin Bahati has become these days. If you’ve been following his musical journey then I am sure you know that Mr Seed introduced him to the gospel industry then he went on to become a bigger artist.

Also read: Are Kenyan gospel musicians asleep?

There was a time when the 26-year-old singer made good music, the kind that you could listen to even when an elder person was in the room. However, I don’t know what became of him, I really don’t.

Bahati
Bahati

For many people, when Willy Paul started becoming unruly, being involved in scandals and releasing secular music, they saw Bahati as the better option since he was rooted in the gospel, had a family and made good music.

Lately, I’m not so sure. He has taken a whole 360 turn and he is now even worse than his nemesis Willy Paul who has since ditched the gospel industry.

If there is a scandal today, you’ll probably hear Bahati’s name in it. He is also known for exploiting artists at his EMB Record label then he was the first artist to release a Gospel Gengetone jam.

Sometimes you look at the happenings in the industry and you wonder what happened to this young man. Did he let the little fame that he has get into his head? I really don’t know what to make of his recent behavior.

I’ve always assumed that artists or pretty much anyone in the limelight have people who advice them the same would apply for Bahati since he has been in the industry for 10 or more years.

Bahati

Are they quiet as they see this young man throw his career away in the name of looking for relevance? Is it okay to do so? Because I don’t like sugar coating things I’ll tell you that he is a disgrace to the gospel fraternity.

There are people who have always seen him as a role model since he has always had a good reputation. What do they think of him now? Would they even want to associate with him?

There are things that are permissible when you are a secular artist but the fact Kevin Bahati has always identified as a gospel artists should actually mean something, otherwise he is just mocking God.

Watch his latest collabo with Mejja and Madtraxx dubbed Kererembe below.

The gospel industry needs to find a new sound

Posted on by David Kingsley

The gospel industry used to be big three years ago (or so) but somewhere along the way, it was overtaken by the secular industry but have you ever wondered why? What happened? Where did the rain start beating them?

Also read: Are Kenyan gospel musicians asleep?

Well, I think I have a few pointers as to why. I feel that the gospel industry has remained stagnant for a very long time, save for Willy Paul, everyone sounds the same way they did when the gospel industry was at its peak. Don’t they though?

If there’s anything that I have learnt it’s that Kenyans get bored really fast. As such, artists have to find ways of making sure that whatever they are putting out is not monotonous. They need to switch up the sound every and then.

Bahati
Bahati

You see, the reason why the secular industry is doing well at the moment is because there is a new sound. Some people might have concerns about it but the fact is that most people find it entertaining. The truth is also that Kenyans will get bored with it a few years down the line.

The gospel sound has remained the same since time immemorial. Once in a while you’ll see someone taking a different approach but when they realise that it’s not working, they quickly switch back to their old styles and this should not be the case.

In as much as gospel songs are all about praising God and winning back people to Christ, it doesn’t mean that they should not have a small element of entertainment. Gospel songs should not really be all about crying from the time the songs starts to the end.

Mr Seed
Mr Seed

It’s about time our local gospel artists realized that we need something different. I don’t even know what they should do, I only know that they should do something. Enough said!

Why secular artists fail to make an impact after crossing to the gospel industry

Posted on by David Kingsley

If you are keen then I am sure you’ve noticed that most secular artists who cross over to the gospel industry after ‘getting saved’ don’t stay there for long but have you ever wondered why? I guess not.

Today, we’ll look at some of the reasons why they don’t last long in the gospel industry.

Firstly, getting saved means you have to live your life in a particular way and avoid some places that are perceived as ungodly like clubs – which is one of the places where most secular artists make a killing.

The second aspect is industry mechanics. The secular and gospel industry operate differently. You might have a lot of connections to push your career as a secular artists but then when you cross over to the gospel industry you realize that those people can’t really help you.

Also read: Are Kenyan gospel muscians asleep?

The third aspect is too much expectations. There was a time when the gospel industry was doing better than the secular industry, so most of the people got saved thinking they would be laughing all the way to the bank but they soon came to realize that the grass is not always greener on the other side.

Lastly, there’s the obvious fact that most of the people who cross over are not true to themselves. They are not really saved but they cross over because they have some hidden agendas or they want to be perceived in a certain way.

In the end, they ‘backslide’ and leave people asking whether they were sincere about their intention in the first place. Were they really saved? If they were, then why did they fail to make an impact?