Entertainment
Behold, Top Eight Gospel Acts
Frank Edwards
Gospel music is gaining
grounds in Nigeria and beyond. Below is a list of top 8 remarkable gospel singers in the country.
1.Frank Edwards: Frank Ugochukwu Edwards, a member of Christ Embassy Church in Nigeria is signed to the church’s Love World Records. Frank began singing at the age of ten years as he learnt how to play the piano from his father. Currently, he has four albums to his credit, with latest one ‘Tag Jam’ released in November 2011 which took Frank to the A-class of Gospel artistes.
2.Sinach: Also signed to Love World Records and a key member of the music team at Christ Embassy, Sinach has become a household name in Nigeria. She has over 200 songs to her credit, including ‘Awesome God; ‘Simply Devoted; ‘I am ready for your Spirit; Shout of the King’, All things are Possible’ and others. Sinach ministers as a vocalist and worship leader of Christ Embassy, alongside Love World Music team.
3. Lara George: Lara was a member of the former Kush group which was one of the contemporary Gospel music groups in Nigeria in the early 2000. She is regarded as one of the classiest Nigerian Gospel artistes. The Lagos born Singer started as a member of the choir at her almamater, Queens college Yaba, Lagos, and kicked off her music career as a professional in 1997. Her husband, a legal practitioner also doubles as her manager.
4. Buchi: Born in Kaduna to Abia State parents, Buchi started out as a reggae singer while in school. He obtained a BA in english language and Literary studies from University of Lagos in 1986 and MA in 1988. He later took a lecturing job in the school while studying for doctorate degree. In 1992, Buchi gave his life to Jesus Christ at the Christ Embassy Church and has remained with the ministry till date.
His first album released in 1999 (These days), second album released in 2002 (So Beautiful), third album released in 2005 (What a Life). Buchi is married to Jane and they have four children.
5. Chris Morgan: The name Chris Morgan Abah Ochogwu, might not sound familiar, but he is the brain behind “Worship on the hills of African”, a vision that is dedicated to raising people to worship God in spirit and in truth.
The Benue State singer is no doubt an accomplished music minister, whose songs are filled with the divine presence of God, with great lyrical depth and inspiration and a great message of hope for our generation. He is based in Abuja with his wife, Queen Eunice.
6. Joe Praize: Joe Praize, singer and songwriter, also belongs to the Christ Embassy Love World, Born Joseph Omo Ebhodagne, the acclaimed Gospel Music minister who hails from Edo State released his debut album, ‘My Praise’.
7. Tope Alabi: The beautiful music minister who hails from Yewa, Imeko of Ogun State, joined the then Jesters International, a theatre group with acts such as Jacob, Papilolo and Aderupoko at Ibadan and since then, she has distinguished herself as both a talented actress and singer. She has over five albums to her credit and over 800 movie sound tracks.
8. Samsong: Born Samson Uche Mogekwu in Delta State. Samsong is one of the popular gospel singers in Nigeria. The ‘Bianule’ crooner has bagged several awards since his debut in gospel music.
He has remarkably utilized his talent in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ across the world.
Spotify yesterday revealed a significant surge in heartbreak song streams in Nigeria during the Valentine’s Day season, with a 626 percent increase between 2022 and 2024.
This was disclosed in a statement issued in Lagos, Nigeria by Spotify’s Head of Music, Sub-Saharan Africa Phiona Okumu.
Okumu said, “Spotify data reveals a surprising trend, a massive surge in heartbreak song streams.
“Nigerians are turning to their playlists to express their emotions, with a staggering 626 per cent overall growth in heartbreak streams from 2022 to 2024.
“This Valentine, the sound of love is accompanied by the sound of heartbreak, and the data shows it’s louder than ever before.”
She said on Valentine’s Day, most surprisingly, male listeners streamed heartbreak songs at a significantly higher rate than female listeners, with a 362 per cent increase compared to 169 per cent among women.
“This could suggest that men resonate with the feeling of heartbreak more and turn to music as a private outlet for processing emotions.
“Whatever the reason, one thing is clear, when love is in the air, so is heartbreak and Nigerian men are pressing play on their pain more than expected.
“While Valentine’s Day is often celebrated with grand gestures, heartbreak is a common theme on Valentine’s Day -more than what’s publicly shown,” she said.
Nigerians will join their counterparts across the world to mark the 2025 Valentine’s today.
Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has joined MLS side San Diego FC’s ownership group as a club partner.
SDFC announced today that Tems joined the ownership group through her company, The Leading Vibe.
In the process, Tems became the first African woman to be involved in MLS ownership.
“We are delighted that Tems has joined San Diego FC as a club partner,” SDFC chairman Sir Mohamed Mansour said in a statement.
“Tems is a globally significant artist who will help us reach new audiences and spread the word about our unique project, which, of course, has its foundations in sub-Saharan Africa through the unique Right to Dream organisation.”
Reacting to her addition as the latest partner in SDFC’s ownership group, the singer said: “I am thrilled to join San Diego FC’s ownership group and to be part of a club that celebrates creativity, culture, and the power of community.
“Football has a unique way of bringing people together, and I am excited to help build something special in San Diego, a city that thrives on diversity and innovation.”
Fashion and beauty entrepreneur, Toyin Lawani, has claimed she is enduring back pain and that her spine is degenerating.
Lawani revealed this in a video posted on social media last Tuesday.
In the clip, she opened up about her experience with epidural anesthesia, an injection administered to pregnant women in the spine to reduce pain during childbirth.
The mother of three claimed that since receiving the injection, she has not felt like herself.
She accused doctors of not fully informing women about the long-term side effects of epidurals.
According to Lawani, she received the anesthetic injection during the birth of her last two children.
She said, “When you hear ‘epidural,’ run. Doctors tell you about the side effects but do not tell you about the long-term effects on your body. I have about three friends having the same issues that I am having.
“Like, I am just 42, how did I end up with spine issues? I have a degenerating spine. I have implants in my spine. I go paralyzed. I can’t stand for a long time. I can’t even breathe properly sometimes because it affected so many things in my body when I had the surgery.
“They will not tell you because you just want the pain to go away. I have had two epidurals. I had my first as natural birth. The last two were epidural. The last one I had epidural because I had to undergo a surgery and I had no choice.
“See, the pain does not stop. My back is killing me and my spine is degenerating.”