Hey, fellow music lovers! Today we are talking about the exciting world of Afro-Gospel music in Nigeria. Did you know that one of the coolest things to come out of Nigeria’s diverse music scene is Afro-gospel music? Afro-gospel music is unique and captivating, which combines African rhythms, traditional gospel tunes, and contemporary music styles, making it impossible not to groove.

In the 1960s, the church added African rhythms and melodies to their hymns to make them more attractive. Afro-gospel music was born as a result! However, this genre only took off and became popular in the 1990s. It has continued to develop and expand ever since, with musicians experimenting with new styles and sounds.

Eben, Sammie Okposo, Senwele Jesu, and Midnight Crew are among the most well-known artists in the Afro-Gospel industry. Let’s examine a few of these artists in greater detail.

Eben, whose real name is Emmanuel Benjamin, is a worship leader, gospel singer and songwriter from Nigeria. He’s been making music since 1997 but broke into the limelight in 2006.  His songs “Victory”, “All the Way” and “You are Worthy” are just a few of his many hits. He has worked with gospel artists like Phil Thompson, Nathaniel Bassey and Jahdiel and won several awards.

 Then there was Late Sammie Okposo, who was a singer, instrumentalist, songwriter and music producer. Okposo

started as a musician in the early 1990s and has since released several albums and singles. “Wellu Wellu,” “Praise Party,” and “Mighty God” are among Okposo’s hit songs. He has collaborated with musicians like Kefee, Nathaniel Bassey, and Nikki Laoye. Okposo has won numerous awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2014 Crystal Gospel Awards, the SOAR Awards in 2022, and the Africa Gospel Music and Media Awards in 2017.

But the Nigerian Afro-Gospel scene isn’t just about established stars like Eben and Sammie Okposo. We also have rising artists like Marizu, whose unique gospel and Afrobeat rhythms blend has captivated listeners since 2017. With hit songs like “looku looku” and “Wonder” Marizu is definitely one to watch. 

Now, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention that the Afro-Gospel industry in Nigeria isn’t without its controversies.  Some artists have been accused of promoting the prosperity gospel and materialism over the message of the gospel. But despite these challenges, the genre continues to grow and evolve.

So what’s next for Afro-Gospel music in Nigeria? And we definitely can’t wait to see who the next big star will be. And who knows, maybe we will see some exciting collaborations between our favourite artists. With such a rich history and talented musicians, the future looks bright, and we can’t wait to see what’s in store.