Some of us found Afro-Gospel songs to be alien when we first got introduced, but over the years we started vibing to it. That exactly is the story of Esther. Why don’t you read along and find out why Esther loves Afro Gospel songs?

AGM: Please introduce yourself

Esther: Hi ya, I am Esther Asuquo, one of a kind and a Jesus girl. I am a baker, food content creator and owner of The PIKMIUP Cafe. I am currently in the Nigerian Law School.

AGM: What do you think about the Afro-gospel culture especially in Nigeria?

Esther: I think the Afro Gospel culture or movement is amazing. For me, it represents strongly how faith is reflected within the evolution of society. I grew up knowing solemn hymns and choruses which were most times exclusively found at church or morning devotions at home. Afro gospel especially in our time has changed that. We are vibing to it at concerts, hangouts, using it as audio for content creation. I could go on and on but I do believe that the Afro Gospel culture comes with a freedom of expression guarded by our faith and identity in Jesus.

AGM: If we have to consider our Christian upbringing, how did you first react to Afro-Gospel Songs? I hope you didn’t say it is sinful?

Esther: Hmmmm… My first introduction to AfroGospel songs really came in university in my first year. I joined an amazing gospel dance group called ‘Spirit of David Gospel Dance Club’ which is one of the very few and I dare say the oldest existing gospel Dance Clubs in Nigeria. I saw people in my generation bursting fire moves to proper gbedu songs that had no lewdness in them. It was and still is a life-changing experience. It took some getting used to, but I adapted so quickly.

AGM: Some Christians believe that people copy afro pop lifestyle? What do you think about this?*

Esther: So I had this conversation with a friend this morning as regards gospel rap and it applies to this also. Music as a genre on its own comes with different styles and at the end it is what you make of it. There is no pre-ownership of a certain style or beat or genre. I feel that the backlash is simply because secular afro pop is more ‘popular’ and it makes sense to think that gospel artistes copy secular styles of music, which isn’t ipso facto true. We are exposed to different sounds and our brains are wired to categorise the unfamiliar with existing information. So if I hear similar sound/beat to what I’m exposed to daily, I’d assume one copied the other.

AGM: Is afro gospel songs edifying? Is that even a debate for Christians?

Esther: Yes they are!!! The key is to pay attention to the lyrics of each song. This is why we think the hymns and more solemn songs we grew up with as more edifying or more spiritual.

I think the debate stems from our conditioning as regards what qualifies as ‘spiritual music’. For example, Marizu‘s ‘Present Helper’; a line in the chorus goes ‘I have a present help, I have a Present Helper‘ clearly points to scriptures about the Holy Spirit. Angeloh’s cover of Limoblaze’s ‘Blow my Mind’ contains a whole verse about the power of Jesus and his finished works. Let the lyrics guide you. Do they talk about the believer and the finished works of Christ? Are they based on scriptures, even though the lyrics are not direct quotes from scriptures?

AGM: Who are your favorite Afro-gospel singers and why?

Esther: This list is exhaustive. I have fav gospel artistes per genre and they always fluctuate. All time fav will be Angeloh though

Marizu is grossly underrated and it pains me

Greatman Takit for his Energy Album, Ko’rale for ‘Authentic’

Limoblaze deserves his flowers and more

Prinx Emmanuel is always a bop

I wish we had more obvious female afro gospel artists asides Ada Ehi

Konola is a recent discovery and I love his song ‘Jehovah Jireh’

Honorable mentions because they belong to other genres of gospel music: SONDAE

AGM: If you have to meet any of them today, who would you love to meet and why?

Esther: Angeloh because he’ll sing at my wedding o and his Love Child EPs 1,2,3 and the Deluxe Album is pretty much the Nigerian modern day version of Songs of Solomon meets Christ and the Church as His bride. Limoblaze, to learn how not to lose your consecration or yourself when God advances you rapidly in your industry. Greatman Takit because I’m an Energy man!!

AGM: What are 5 favorite Afro-gospel songs of all times?

Esther: This is hard o. Let me try 

• Shawa by Angeloh
• Abba by Marizu
• Bigger (Odogwu)- Prinx Emmanuel 
• Ngozi by Marizu
• Jehovah Jireh by Konola
• Angeloh’s cover of Limoblaze’s ‘Blow my Mind’
• Energy V.One album by Greatman Takit

If I don’t stop, the list will not end.

About Esther

My name is Esther Asuquo. I bake and create gourmet food content. I run the PIKMIUP Cafe and a food blog called ‘didia_notes’ on Medium. I’m a huge fan of gospel music in every genre available. I am currently rounding up my studies at the Nigerian Law School, Kano.  

I.G: @pikmiup_cafe

Twitter: @theestherasuquo

Medium: didianotes.medium.com