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| FRANK EDWARDS |
This rating is based on these artist recent performance, there economic achievements notwithstanding.
Nicknamed Rich boy, Frank Ugochukwu
Edwards, a member of Christ Embassy Church in Nigeria is signed to the church’s
LoveWorld Records. Frank, a talented instrumentalist, broke into the scene with
his debut album, The Definition, which was released in 2008. Frank returned to
the studio and in 2010 and produced his second album, Angels on the Runway; he
hit the market with another, ‘Unlimited’, in 2011. 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 the latest one ‘Tag Jam’ released in
November 2011 which took frank to the A-class of Gospel artistes. He also made
a cameo appearance in label mate Sinach’s video ‘I know who I am’. In May 2011
he was nominated as the Gospel Artiste of the Year at the 6th Annual Nigeria
Entertainment Awards (NEA). He won the award for the Best Gospel Rock Artiste
in the 1st edition of the awards. He also won West Africa Best Male Vocalist in
2012 and Best Hit Single at the Love World Awards 2012. Frank also bagged three
awards at the Nigeria Gospel Music Awards (Male Artiste of the Year, Song of
the Year and Best Male Vocal).
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| SINACHI |
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Sinach Sinach Also signed to LoveWorld 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’, ‘Born
to Win’, ‘Fire in Me’, ‘More of You’, ‘No Failure with God’, ‘This is Your
Season’; also winning the Song of the Year, Song Writer and Vocalist of the
Year’ at the Love World Awards. Inspired by the ministry of the word by her
Pastor, Sinachi also ministers as a vocalist and worship leader of Christ
Embassy, alongside LoveWorld Music team.
Through her Godly talent, she has
ministered to millions of people all over the world in mega programs such as
Night of Bliss with Pastor Chris, Word at Work conventions with Pastor Chris,
Youth Conferences with Pastor Chris, The Higher Life Conference, The Christ
Embassy Healing School and many other programs by Pastor Chris with record
attendances reaching millions.
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| LARA GEORGE |
Lara George Regarded as one of the
classiest Nigerian Gospel artistes, this multi-talented singer, producer and
music director has a spell-binding and captivating voice, she was a member of
the former KUSH group which was one of the contemporary Gospel music groups in
Nigeria in the early 2000s. Lara released her first solo album in 2007 titled
Ijoba Orun. The single was a hit and it still enjoys a huge support and airplay
on radio stations, churches and homes. The Lagos born singer and fourth child
of five children developed passion for music while she was a member of the
choir at her alma mater Queens College, Yaba Lagos, and kicked off her music
career as a professional in 1997. She released her first hit single, ‘Ijoba
Orun’ in 2007 and has since released hits like, ‘Orin’ ‘I will write a song’,
‘Season’, ‘Fig Tree’, ‘Forever in my Heart’, ‘I can’, ‘Ko ma si’ {Nobody like
you}, ‘More than anything’, ‘Higher’, ‘Rise’, and ‘Higher’. In 2008, the
graduate of Law from the University of Lagos released her second album,
‘Forever in my heart’, which won her several awards, including the 2008 Voice
of the Year Award at the Nigerian Music Awards, Female Artiste of the Year at
the 2009 Nigerian Gospel Music Awards. Lara returned with a 14 track album in
July 2009, which features Lord of Ajasa, and Midnight Crew’s Pat Uwaje. The
album contains hit songs like ‘Run with You’ and ‘Ko le baje’. Lara is married
to Gbenga George and blessed with a son – Adeoba Alexander George. Her last
album which was released in 2012 was titled ‘Higher’. Her husband, a legal
practitioner also doubles as her manager.
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| BUCHI |
Buchi Born in Kaduna, Nigeria to
parents of Abia State origin, Buchi’s early education began in Enugu and took
him through Methodist College, Uzuakoli and Federal Government College, Enugu.
In 1983, he came to Lagos to study English Language and Literary Studies at the
University of Lagos, where he obtained a BA in 1986 and a MA in 1988. Later in
the same year, he took up an appointment to lecture at the same institution
while studying for his doctorate degree. Buchi remained at the Department of
English until 1994 when he yielded to the higher calling to propagate the
Gospel of Jesus through writing and singing in the reggae genre. While in the
university, his casual involvement in black activism through reggae club grew
more intense after listening to Oliver Thambo and the officials of ANC (African
National Congress) from South Africa during the club’s exhibition on “Apartheid
in South Africa”. Again, having studied the black activism literature of Dennis
Bruts, Wole Soyinka, Muta Baruka and the likes, Buchi’s preoccupation with
reggae music as an “outcry against oppression” became deeper. Little wonder he
also became involved in one of the campus’ confraternities which at the time
prided itself as an anti oppression movement. This preoccupation with reggae
music took a new turn when his friend Ras Kimono invited him to join the team of
deejays on the Floating Bukka – a reggae nightclub situated on a docked vessel
in Marina, Lagos Island. Foremost on the list of Buchi’s strong musical
influences are Eric Donaldson, Joseph Hills, Burning Spear and Frankie Paul. In
1992, Buchi gave his life to Jesus Christ at the Christ Embassy Church and
transferred himself from the nightclub to the choir of that ministry where he
has remained 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. He has ministered
in church concerts including Reinhard Bonnke’s stadium-packed outreaches.
Multiple award winner including prestigious AMEN for Best in Gospel Category, 1999
Faith, POMP and TOMA Awards for Best Artiste, Reggae Artiste and Gospel Album
of the Year variously.
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| CHRIS MORGAN |
Chris Morgan
Chris Morgan The name Chris Morgan
Abah Ochogwu might not sound familiar, but this talented Gospel singer,
songwriter, composer, and performer is the brain behind “WORSHIP ON THE HILLS
OF AFRICA”, a vision that is dedicated to raising people to worship God in
spirit and in truth. The Orokam-born 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. Morgan has also ministered on the same platform with great
international Gospel singers. Since stepping into the Gospel podium, the Ifeoma
crooner has continued to carve a niche for himself by marking the beginning of
a new worship trend in Africa. The Abuja-based gospel artiste is happily
married to Queen Eunice.
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| NATHANIEL BASSEY |
Bassey Nathaniel Bassey Nathaniel
Bassey, born in Lagos, Nigeria makes the list of Connect Nigeria’s top 10
Gospel was a minister in The Apostolic Church Bashua Assembly before taking up
the position of director of music at the Redeemd Christian Church of God,
developed a love for both music and the Gospel at a very young age. According
to the young music minister, he was inspired when he saw Dr Panam Percy Paul, a
prominent Nigerian Gospel music icon in concert over twenty years ago and since
then, his passion for music has grown and translated into various musical experiences.
Nathaniel’s debut album ‘Elohim’ was recorded and mixed in Cape Town, South
Africa in the year 2008. It has been described as a spiritual and artistic
masterpiece with the hit track ‘Someone’s knocking at the door’ a soft-rock
tune currently generating so much interest locally and internationally.
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| JOE PRAIZE |
Joe Praize, singer and song writer,
also belongs to the Christ Embassy Love World. Born Joseph Omo Ebhodaghe, the
acclaimed Gospel music minister who hails from Edo State released his debut
album, ‘My Praise’. Joe Praize has performed around the world including cities
like Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria, KZN – all in South Africa, and
countries like Canada, United Kingdom, United States, Nigeria, Ghana. The
award-winning singer bagged the 2010 song of the year award at the prestigious
Love World Awards for the song ‘Mighty God’ which is the fifth track on his
album ‘My Praise’. He was also nominated for Best African Gospel by SABC Crown
Gospel Award in 2011.
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| TOPE ALABI |
Tope Alabi
Tope Alabi She holds sway when it
comes to singing Gospel in Yoruba language with over five albums to her credit
and over 800 movie sound tracks. 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. Tope Alabi is
a pacesetter of soundtrack makers in the Yoruba Home Video Industry.
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| SAMSONG |
SamSong
SamSong Samsong is a dynamic
Nigerian Gospel artiste based in Abuja, Nigeria. He has had a successful
recording career with radio hits like ‘Bianule’, and a handful of accolades
such as The Psalmist Award in 2000, and recently being nominated for the Best
Gospel Artiste by the Nigerian Entertainment Awards (NEA) in New York in 2008.
He has graced the stage with Gospel greats like Marvin Winans, Donnie McClurkin
and Panam Percy Paul, as well as successful mainstream artistes like Donnell
Jones, Kenny Lattimore, 112, TuFace, D’Banj, Faze, and Styl Plus. Born Samson
Uche Mogekwu in Delta State, Nigeria. He discovered his talent for singing
while in high school. It was also in high school he was adobted the stage name
Samsong. In 1991, he formed a quartet known as Praise Creation and got signed
to Ivory Music Label with a debut album in 1996 titled ‘Best of Life’. The
group however broke up and Samsong became a solo artist, releasing his debut
album in 2002, which was titled ‘Count Your Blessings’. His album was a
success, garnering airplay, and resulting in winning The Psalmist Award that
same year. His sophomore album was released in 2004, ‘titled Still Counting’.
He continued his award winning streak, snagging The Best Male Vocalist of the
Year Award at Today’s Music Award in 2004, and Best Male Vocalist of The Year
Award in 2005 at The Amen Awards. Samsong had become a bona fide celebrity and
Gospel star at this point, having songs and videos in rotation on radio and TV,
while receiving top billing at concerts. At The Vigoma Awards in 2005, he
received The Best Video of The Year Award. His third release which was titled
‘The World of My Dreams’ was issued in 2007 and was his most ambitious release
yet. It featured a remake of the mega hit ‘One Love’ by music icon Onyeka Onwenu,
in which he performed a duet with her. The album also had a collaboration where
Samson recorded the track ‘Live Right’ with Styl-Plus. His ambitious output was
recognized as he was awarded with The Grace Honorary Award for Excellence in
2007. In 2008, he was nominated for The Best Gospel Artiste at The Nigerian
Entertainment Awards (NEA) held in New York City. He embarked on an
international tour to promote his album, with stops at South Africa, the United
Kingdom and Germany. In Germany, he had recorded and performed with Chris Lass,
the famous German Gospel producer and artiste.
