Joy, joy, joy,

In my heart it’s ringing.

Do you remember this song by the Destined Kids back in the day?

If those words immediately took you back, welcome to today’s throwback.

The Destined Kids gave us plenty of wonderful songs during our childhood. At a time when children’s gospel music groups were becoming popular in Nigeria, the Iwueze siblings stood out.

The group was made up of Favour, Rejoice, Joshua, Best, and Caleb Iwueze. Their father, Deacon Stephen Iwueze, was also deeply involved in their music, serving as the composer behind many of their songs.

Released as the first volume of their Joy Joy Joy series, Joy Joy Joy the song became a childhood favourite for many Nigerian Christians. But Joy Joy Joy was not all they gave us.

The group released several projects and songs, including “Big Big God,” “Emmanuel,” “Praise God,” “Holy Holy Holy,” “ABC 123,” and “Jesus Is Mine.” Their second Joy Joy Joy project, released in 2005, featured songs such as “Melody Melody Melody,” “My Testimony,” “Don’t Tell Lies” and “I Will Fly.” 

As the years passed, the children grew up and eventually went their separate ways, pursuing different interests, careers and paths in life. The little group that many of us remembered from our childhood was no longer performing together, but the memories and music they created remained.

For many of us, they weren’t simply a gospel group. They were part of growing up. Their songs played in churches, homes, children’s programmes and on the television.

And years later, hearing that familiar opening can take you straight back to those days.

So, which Destined Kids song do you remember the most? Let us know in the comments.