FEMALE PARTICIPATION IN URBAN CONTEMPORARY GOSPEL MUSIC

Nigerian gospel music is one of the most popular musical genres in contemporary Nigeria. It has influenced several aspects of the national culture and served as a means of livelihood for several artistes and music industrialists. In contemporary globalization, Modern Christian Music has, in the course of its expansion, witnessed the emergence of various postmodern genres. Some of these traditions, include notably Christian Alternative Music, hip-hop and afrobeats. Gospel music in all its genre has and is still been graced by artist of all genders, however the Urban Contemporary gospel (hip-hop, Afrobeats, Alte) has very low female participation compared to other genres of gospel music.

Female participation has always been little or non-existent in the Urban contemporary gospel. Historically, gender equality did not play a significant role in most Christian religious practices for the longest time. While times are changing, with more female figures in leading positions of religious institutions and more ensured equal treatment of churchgoers and believers overall, Christian music has only recently started to catch up on the movement of equality empowerment and female representation. Looking at gender equality in contemporary Christian music, especially in regard to award nominees and pioneers of the genre, it quickly becomes clear that women have been rather underrepresented or unaccredited over the past decades.

The female gender in the Christian industry had little or no opportunity to express themselves, this in turn affected their creativity. They were stuck with the usual ’praise and worship’. However. with time they began to evolve and do music out of the box yet they are underrepresented in the Urban gospel arena.
To shine a light on the often underrepresented or unaccredited women in Christian contemporary pop music, we put together a list of some impactful female artists of modern times.

B.O.U.Q.U.I
Bukola Folayan popularly known as B.O.U.Q.U.I has served as a big influence in female participation in Urban gospel music. In 2017, released her self-titled debut from which she had the Sheyman-produced ‘Molejo.’ At the AMEN Awards in 2007, B.O.U.Q.U.I was named the Best Female Act. In 2009, B.O.U.Q.U.I released her sophomore album Redefinition, from which she had the smash hit, ‘Morile.’ Her contribution the urban gospel music has been immense. No wonder she is referred to as ’Queen’ of Nigerian gospel hip-hop.

Nikki Laoye
Oyenike Laoye, known professionally as Nikki Laoye, is a Nigerian recording artist, singer, songwriter and dancer, known for her musical manners and stage performances. As a recording artist, Laoye is a recipient several awards including The Headies Award in 2013 for Best Female Vocal Performance and the All African Music Awards (AFRIMA) in 2014 for Best Female Artiste in African Inspirational Music. She is also well known for the 2006 hit song Never felt this Way before, the 2013 dance single “1-2-3”, the soulful ballad “Only You”, which she remixed in 2016 featuring Seyi Shay and the love song Onyeuwaoma featuring Banky W. She is one of the very few female artist with notable contributions to the Urban Contemporary gospel music.

Ada Ehi
Ada Ogochukwu Ehi (born 18 September 1987), simply known by her stage name Ada Ehi, is a Nigerian gospel singer, songwriter, recording and performing artist. She started her musical career early at age 10 backing upsinger for child star, Tosin Jegede. Since she professionally started her music career under Loveworld Records in 2009, she has increasingly gained local and international popularity through her songs and music videos. She recently has been acknowledged for immense contribution to the evolution of afrobeats in the Nigeria gospel industry after featuring new-school artists like Password and Limoblaze amongst others.

 

Yoyo Micheal
YOYO is a gospel singer/songwriter who started music at the age of 8 and was recruited into the adult choir. After her graduation from Benson Idahosa University in 2008, YOYO started recording songs professionally.
‎In 2012, she dropped her first single online “Wowoma” which was nominated for the Top Muzic Awards.
In 2013, she released her first official single “Amen” which was massively accepted and celebrated all over Nigeria. Subsequently she dropped singles after singles and received great accolades
‎In November 2014, The SSMAwards nominated “Amen” as “Best gospel song”, “Best Video of the year” and “Best upcoming Artist of the year”. In December 2014 “Amen” won the “Best Gospel” award. She is not widely known but is a member of the female cocoon making positive impact on the Urban Contemporary Gospel scene.

Seiba
Sarah Ogechukwu Okoye also known as Seiba is an Abuja based hip-hop artist, with a unique voice texture and delivery style. Her passion for speaking and her musical abilities drove her into the art of expressing her thoughts and ideals through music. Her musical journey began in her first year of college, Benson Idahosa University in 2008, where she auditioned for membership into ‘Rap Community’, a popular group in school, founded by Munachi Abii (Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 2007). This set the outlet on which she did her first ever stage rendition; at one of her department’s social event. From then on, her passion for music was detonated! She moved back to Abuja in 2012 and has since done some work with the likes of Dj Ernesty, Steve Willis, Jay R and Mad Mo Concepts..

 

Sal Ly
Sal Ly (pronounced Sally) is an upcoming Nigerian contemporary artist. Her vibe continues to grow in Nigeria and beyond as she leaves her listeners with an impression of her faith which her music is built on. Her goals are to reach and touch lives for Christ through her art. The budding artist embraced Urban gospel music in its entirety as she sings more than one genre of music including RnB and Indie. Sal Ly is one act to look out for.

Wande
Yewande Isola, with stage name Wande, is a Nigerian American Christian hip hop artist and A&R administrator from Austin, Texas, United States. She is signed to the Christian hip hop label Reach Records. Before her signing in 2019 she was an A&R administrator in the record label. Prior to that, as an independent artist, from 2013 through 2018 she released multiple singles and made numerous featured appearances on various songs. She is the first woman signed to Reach. She does music alongside world renowned gospel rappers like Lacrae, Andy Mineo, Gawvi, KB, Trip lee and lots more.

This women and some others like (Ify Benson and Catherine of the gratitude) are making major moves and impact on the Urban Contemporary Gospel music. However, this does not change the fact that female participation in hip-hop, afrobeats, indie gospel is low. WE NEED MORE LADIES !!!

 

Or don’t we?

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