Entertainment of Wednesday, 15 February 2006

Source: GHP/GYE NAME RECORDS

One artiste?s inspiring performance in New York

?FOR THOSE WHO FEEL SHY AND HESITATE TO ENTER THE CHURCH BUILDING NOW THE GOSPEL IS TAKEN TO THE STREETS AROUND YOUR NEIGBHORHOOD? was his introduction so you can worship and praise God on the streets, in the market, laundry mart, car, at work, hospital and in prison. It is safe to say this unique style of Gospel title as demonstrated by; Holy Hip-Hop/R&B of praise and worship leader Steve Kodjo Kelly?s debut CD ?Be Lifted? which is making him and his song a household name in churches and the streets around the United States.

Gaining such a widespread success with his debut CD, however, Steve Kodjo Kelly found his way to pursue this latest effort without the potential of a sophomoric trip up. ?I had to take the pressure off myself?; admitted Steve. God has called me to the ministry of praise and worship, I thank God for this record but God is a God who takes us from glory to glory, blessing upon blessing as it is written. I was young but now I am old and I have never seen the righteous forsaken neither children begging for bread. My focus was to serve all Christianity and to bring lost souls in the house of the lord, mostly to feed the adult and the youths with praise and worship in this unique style of gospel.

Steve Kodjo Kelly?s love for praise and worship is continually witnessed by his ability to find balance in life. He has music ministries in Philadelphia at United Ghanaian Community Church (UGCC), Full Gospel Church as well as The Apostolic Church International. He is still on a promotional tour in the United States and expected to be in Ghana by the summer of 2006 for three weeks of worship and praise. As one could imagine, exposure to the sound of musical heritage of the world has richly influenced Kodjo Kelly Musical repertoire.

?When I went to New York I almost felt like how can I sing, I?m in a strange land??? he asked. I had no friends or family, I was invited by God to assist The Apostolic Church for a SACRIFICE OF PRAISE 2006 CONCERT. It was a different blessing altogether to meet some Ghanaian Gospel big name artistes like; Stella Addo, Soul Winners, Vivian Ofori, Getty & Friends and Azigiza jr. It was a big surprise to see Ghanaians and other Africans cheering up to welcome Steve Kodjo Kelly with such a Gospel style; Holy Hip-hop with R&B flavor."

When he hit the stage; he began with the hit song;?THANK YOU FOR MY JESUS?, a Hip-hop single fused with English, Twi and funk to put the audience to dance and praise him. He continued with ?JESUS COMMIN SOON?, also a lovely R&B single, and came back on stage with an unreleased track from his unreleased forthcoming sophomore album ?CELEBRATE THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD?. He remarked ?I want to thank Morphiuse Records and Disc Manufacturing for their job in making this CD a reality as well as the GYE NYAME Records Team.?

According to Steve Kodjo Kelly his ?Be Lifted? CD will soon be distributed outside the United States to London, Amsterdam, Germany and Ghana by WAYOOSI MUSIC PRODUCTION. He is currently negotiating with the man himself behind the label in London. The CD is currently in music stores all over the United States and Amazon.com

Steve Kodjo Kelly a.k.a Ghana's King of Holy Hip-Hop/ R&B Gospel artist commented; ?My ministry has taught me the importance of serving God?s people. My first priority, of course is honoring and serving God. Then it?s serving God?s people. He taught me how to serve his people with humility, love, understanding and compassion. You need to have personal relationship where people can trust you and say good things about you. I?m not talking about the people who don?t know you and say things about you, I understand many things that I deal with at this level are not about personality but it?s a principality.

God?s taught me how to love people even when it?s hard. That?s the lesson I?ve learned. Galatians 2:20; ?Come alive, that I?m crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live.? My prayer is that as listeners get this CD, that this will be the next level that people want for praises and worship in their Gospel life and personal time, what we do comfortably can also be done corporately. I want this CD to be an instrument of encouragement during pain, loneliness as well as bad times and good times. Listen to this CD and practice what you are going to do in Heaven and that?s praises and worship.?