Mairo Challenges Gospel Music Top Guns

As he tries to chart a new course in the Nigerian gospel music Industry, Mairo a new gospel musician has challenged the top guns in the industry.
He said that the Nigerian music scene needs a kind of revival in order for the industry to compete favorably with other aspects of the music industry 'the industry has seen the likes of Sammie Okposo, Tope Alabi, Buchi and other top gospel musicians doing their best for the industry, but right now, I feel that they should give way for the younger and upcoming gospel artists to grow. They should also be pillars of support for those of us who are just coming up. Gospel music is an important part of the music industry in Nigeria and needs as much attention as other aspects of the industry. I look forward to working with everyone of them as we go along.'
Mairo who has worked as a chorister in different Christian ministries, has four singles to his name. He has shared the stage with many great gospel music giants such as Ron Kenoly, Lionel Peterson, Cobhams Asuquo, PITA, Lara George, Nathaniel Bassey, Paul Irabor and others.
Mairo, says he is out to bring people closer to God through his music, he believes he has been called by grace and anointed by God to bring the good news of the gospel across the nations of the world.

RCCG’S LIVING FAITH CONNECTIONS CHOIR WINS ‘BEST GOSPEL ACT’ AT MOBO AWARDS 2014

Gospel group Living Faith Connections Choir were crowned ‘Best Gospel Act’ at the MOBO Awards 2014. Held on Wednesday, October 22 at London’s renowned Wembley Arena, Living Faith Connections Choir beat out Annastasia Baker, J. Vessel, Noel Robinson, and Kristina Myles to the prestigious award.
Giving thanks to God, the MOBO awards and the entire RCCG family, Pastor Chris Adeoye and choir director Evans Ogboi were on hand on the night, to pick up the award and offer a rousing speech, with Pastor Adeoyi adding that, “this is just a reward of what hard work can do, to the glory of God”.
Living Faith Connections Choir would like to thank everybody who voted for them to win this prestigious award. Your votes were not in vein, and we would also like to thank all the media platforms and publications that supported their bid to win, we could not have done it without all of you!
Watch Living Faith Connections Choir win the ‘Best Gospel Act’ Award at the MOBO Awards here:

MUSIC: BEN O BEN - KPA KPA KPA

Point Blank Entertainment Gospel recording artiste, "Ben O Ben" is here with a brand new single he titles "Kpa Kpa Kpa", produced by Chris Okoro.
Kpa Kpa Kpa is an up-tempo inspiring and motivation single gospel artiste Ben O Ben is releasing to end 2014 with.
Watch out for Ben O Ben as he seems set to be a force to be reckoned with in Nigerian gospel music.
Listen, Download and Enjoy!
Download Ben O Ben - Kpa Kpa Kpa: bit.ly/KpaKpaKpa

Rising Star Gospel Show’ Audition held at Celebration Arena, Uyo

On Saturday, 8thNovember all road led to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State for the most Anticipated Gospel Singing Competition ‘Rising Star Gospel Show’. Singers who trooped in all the way from Abuja, Lagos, Owerri, Calabar Eket, Ikot Ekpene and Port Harcourt for the competition expressed their gratitude for the opportunity of a life time given to them to become Gospel Music Super Star.
The audition which took place at Celebration Arena, Full Life Crescent, Uyo Akwa Ibom State was one of the best Musical Audition ever. The Judges of the day was Super Producer Dehniece Etukudo of Audio Factory Studio, Zinny Amaka and Super Singer Dani Andi.
As part of accreditation, Contestants were given their numbers and tag in-order to be eligible for the Audition; at 11: Am the audition floor was open for the contestants to show their skills and singing dexterity.
In the first round the contestants were allowed to sing any English song of their choice; then anybody with ‘Two Yes or Three Yes’ qualifies for the next round.
The second round had its own Ups and Down as some better acts who did well on the first round could not make it again to the third round. The heat was turned on in the third round as audience was kept in suspense.
Finally; 20 lucky singers were cleared by Judges to contest for the Maiden Rising Star Gospel Show which is scheduled to Kick Off on 30th November, 2014.
The show will be aired on TV Stations Nationwide as the overall winner will go home with a fat sum of N500,000, second runner up goes with 300, 000, while the third runner up will go home with N150, 000.
We hope to keep you updated with activities revolving around the competition.

List of Nigerian Gospel Artist

Gospel music is a kind of African, motivational Christian music that has become a major part of Nigerian music. In the 1960s the Evangelical Church of West Africa Choir was popular, and in the early 1970s Bola Aare, Sola Rotimi, Good women Choir, Ebenezer Obey and later, Panam Percy Paul, Onyeka Onwenu, Lanre Teriba (ATORISE), Tope Alabi, Asu Ekiye, Keffi, and Sammie Okposo were notable. Also, in the early 1970s & 80s Arch Bishop Benson Idahosa's choir, The Christian Redeemed Voices were known for their gospel sound. He the late Bishop, would purchase instruments for the choir and each one of them would be mastered by skillful musicians.
The Bishop would challenge his student pastors and young adult church members to pick up instruments and play them. Play them...they did, no training only the gift of God deposited and called out by the Bishop. There was a lady by the name of Minister Dorothy James (Evangel Temple, USA) and Rev. David Mporampora(Uganda)they transformed gospel music in West Africa. Nigeria in particular. I would say without a doubt, they laid the foundation of the sound we now hear. Many students were from other West African nations and they took that sound and passion for Gospel music back with them. Rev. Tugbeh Jackson(Liberia), now (Lagos) Rev. Lesley Tex (Ghana) were students and a part of the influence. The Arts, the worship dance saw its start in Africa in the Church of God Mission. Thanks to Arch Bishop Idahosa who was open to all God had for his people, the gospel sound would never be the same. The fusion in music and the gospel he bought to Africa is still amazing.
A number of gospel artistes have released albums that are quite commendable such as Ty Bello, AMAA (Abimbola Awolumate's Everlasting Arms), Foluke Umosen, Soji Israel, Segun Obe, Samsong among others. Artistes like Rooftop MCs, The Bossman, BOUQUI and Segun Ogundeko(The Lord's trumpeter) are also very well known for their gospel hip hop styles. They have released singles and albums that have won several awards.
Besides the above mentioned gospels artistes, we have some others who have made national and international impact. They include: Kunle Ajayi, Buchi, Sinachi, Yetunde Are among others. There are also some notable church choirs that have distinguished themselves especially with contemporary music. Worthy of mentioning is Oyo Province 4 Mass choir of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Jesus Embassy, Oke Bola - Ibadan, Nigeria.
Also, there are many Nigerian gospel artists based in other parts of the world whose music has a strong influence on Nigerians, home and abroad. Such artists include Jide Arowolo (UK), Dayo Bello (UK), David Ojo (USA), Funmi Williams (UK), [1] Oluwakemi (UK), Gbenga Wise (USA), Martin Adu (Netherland) Peter Onu De-Nice (Germany) and Osene Odia-Ighodaro (USA).

Read more: http://www.onlinenigeria.com/list-of-nigeria-gospel-artist/#ixzz3U0OEoVbt

Nigerian gospel singer Yinka Ayefele narrated in an open interview how his father Pa Joshua Taiwo Fele, died on October 12. READ MORE:

Speaking recently with City People, Yinka said that his father, a renowned teacher in Ipoti Ekiti who rose to the post of Headmaster before his demise, knew he would die soon, which happened on the day of his 76th birthday.
When asked about how it happened, the singer said:
“I believe Baba (father) had premonition of his death, he knew he was going to die because he called me a week before his demise that he wanted to celebrate his birthday. I was very happy because he had never celebrated his birthday before. Even when he clocked 70, I wanted to celebrate his birthday for him, and I told him I want to put something together for him, and stopped me from doing it, because he was of the belief that anybody who celebrates birthday won’t live long. So I was very surprised when he called me to tell me that he is planning to celebrate his 76th birthday.”
Yinka disclosed that his father also called his siblings to invite them and called him again October 11, a day before the birthday.
The artiste continued narrating in detail everything that happened already on Sunday:

“I got to Ipoti around 12 noon and he was already in the church, so I just went straight to my own house and waited for him to come back from church. I called him few minutes later to tell him that I am around and he was so excited. Usually, my father comes to my house whenever I am in Ipoti, even if I didn’t tell him that I am around, once he sees that the there is light in my house , he will know that I am around and he will just come over . So I asked him that where are we going to meet , because my car cannot get to his house , and he told me to park anywhere that he will come and meet me , and I said I am going to park on the main road close to his house .When I got there I saw him waiting for me already on the main road .When I saw him , he was looking very good and very healthy.”
They exchanged some jokes, which Yinka said they usually did, after which Pa Ayefele squeezed his son’s hand showing Yinka his arm.
“And I said Baba , you are looking smaller , and he said this is how I am going to go back to my creator, and I was like what are you saying ? Before I went to Ekiti , I told my tailor to do him a heavy Agbada, so I took it home and gave it to him and he was so happy . When he received it he prayed for me and said “you are our father now, you are our leader and we are all happy with you”. I gave everybody around money, and I left .About seven minutes after I had left Ipoti, they called me that Baba Ayefele is gone, I was like this can’t be true. They rushed him to Federal Medical Centre, Ido . I asked them to give the phone to the doctor, and the doctor said they are waiting for me because they want to pack him. I said pack who ?, I just left him not quite long. That was how it happened.”
He confessed that the news was a big shock for him; his father was believed to be  in good health and had never suffered from serious sicknesses before his passing.

Late Nigerian singer Kefee ‘s husband, Teddy Don Momoh, has spoken out for the first time after the untimely death of his wife. READ MORE:

first time after the untimely death of his wife.

Late kefee’s husband Teddy speaks on her death

Teddy in an interview with Encomium magazine talks about their last moments together  and her uncompleted project.
He said: “I can’t say I am going to miss her because there are uncountable things to miss. She was a complete, Godly, highly intelligent and strong woman. All these I will miss and also not having her by my side forever. She was a woman that knew what to say to me to keep me fired up.
The last memories we had together were shared between Nigeria and America. We shot our first video together here in Nigeria as certified video producers and directors. It was fun to see her contribute highly and creatively in the camera positioning and I told her ” You are what the industry has been waiting for”. This happened a day before she traveled back to America”.
READ MORE: http://www.naij.com/276040-late-kefees-husband-finally-speaks-about-her-death.html