Ghana’s Gospel Gems

Contemporary gospel musicians in Ghana are increasingly becoming worth writing home about, as some of them are producing songs that can compete on the international scene.

It is not as if gospel music in Ghana is a new thing, but industry players seem to be taking it to the next level, with the emergence of Minister Sonnie Badu of ‘Baba  fame and the newest BBnZ sign-on, Cwesi Oteng of ‘God Dey Bless Me’ fame.

These two stand tall with their style of composition and language in which they communicate.

Singing in vernacular is good, but it can be comprehended by a limited few, while the larger majority only enjoy the melody.

It is therefore refreshing that Sonnie Badu and Cwesi Oteng have taken the task to do Ghanaian-breed gospel songs in English and do it professionally, just as Kirk Franklin or Cece would do.

It is not surprising that many people are quick to ask, ‘Oh who played that song’ and follow it up with another question, ‘Are you sure they are Ghanaians?’, anytime songs of these two gems are being played.

That is not to say the likes of Kweku Gyasi, Christiana Love, Kofi Sarpong,   Ernest Opoku, Cecelia Marfo and the several other gospel singers are not doing marvelously well; but one need not be a music producer or talent hunter to notice something unique about Sonnie Badu and Cwesi Oteng.

Aside their composition, language, contents and technical accuracy, their music videos are worth airing on intentional networks.

They are not the characteristic Ghanaian gospel music where singers stand beside rivers, rocks, or ornamental trees to face some poor quality underpaid music video director.

Patrons at the recently held Sonnie Badu ‘Let Peace Rain’ concert went home with a happy heart that at long last, a Ghanaian gospel singer that can compete on the internationals scene has popped up.

It was not for nothing that Cwesi Oteng  emerged as winner of the Best Gospel Video at the 2012 MTN 4Syte Music Video Awards.

The gospel maestro, whose mega hit track ‘God Dey Bless Me’ is currently the talk of town, told NEWS-ONE that he was in the gospel music fraternity both by choice and by calling and that he would contribute his quota in taking Ghanaian gospel music to a higher level.