In 2008 following the release of her first album the world, but more specifically the gospel music industry was introduced to Osinachi Joseph known professionally as Sinach. Born and raised in Eastern Nigeria, the Senior Worship Leader of Loveworld first started singing for family and friends in the late 80s as part of her church choir, notably Christ Embassy, under pastor Chris Oyakhilome’s leadership. It was during this time that she discovered the call God had for her life stating in the Zambian Daily Mail “I had a very different path of my own, pursuing a degree in physics until I discovered my destiny through the help of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of Christ Embassy”.
Since this time, we have, with great excitement watched Sinach grow to become an international gospel singer, ministering all around the world in countries such as Cyprus, Canada, Manchester, Perth, London, St Maarten and various places across Africa and the US. It is only natural that the worship leader and ministry mentor has gained numerous awards for her gift, some of which include:
- 2016 LIMA Songwriter of the Decade Award
- 2016 Groove Western Africa Artist of The Year
- 2016 African Achievers’ Award for Global Excellence
- Top 100 Influential Christians in Nigeria
- 2018 International Artist of the Year
- 2019 LIMA Song of the Year
The past 30 years of her career within the gospel music industry, have seen her become a household name. She is famously known for writing and singing what some within the gospel industry would title as Gospel anthems such as ‘Way Maker‘, ‘I Know Who I Am‘, ‘The Name of Jesus‘, ‘Rejoice‘, ‘There’s an Overflow‘ and ‘Simply Devoted‘.
With such a wealth of achievements and commendations, it is therefore not surprising that she has become the recipient of a new title for her single ‘Way Maker’. Sinach “is now the only and first black African artist to have two versions of a single recorded by different artists, in the top 10 of the Billboard Christian Charts”, stated by Marcia Dixon, Religious Correspondent of the UK’s Voice Newspaper. The contemporary worship song was originally released on 30th December 2015 as a single. During an interview with Zambia Daily Mail Sinach stated, “I cannot even say which one [song] is my favourite, but I know that a lot of people love ‘Way Maker’”, and time has proven this to be the case for so many.
The influence of ‘Way Maker’ has been great. It is this influence that has led several other artists within the Christian & Gospel music sphere including Passion Worship Band, Christafari, and Bethel Music to create their own covers of the song, with Leeland and Michael W. Smith landing on the Billboard. Billboard Journalist Jim Asker noted the following: “Leeland’s version rocketed by 144% to 4,000 downloads sold in the week ending April 2, according to Nielsen Music/MRC Data. It also increased by 15% to 2 million U.S. streams. On Christian Airplay, it bumps 37-35, up 14% to 704,000 audience impressions in the week ending April 5. Smith’s rendition bounded by 103% to 5,000 sold and 42% to 1.3 million streams. It lifts 6-5 on Christian Airplay, up 15% to 9.5 million impressions”.
“I remember the first time hearing her sing at a Festival of Life event at Excel [London]. I didn’t know who she was but remember thinking she’s a special artist destined to go far” says Marcia Dixon. I can hand on heart say that Dixon’s observation was prophetic indeed! Since its official music video release Sinach’s ‘Way Maker’ has since racked up more than 149 million Youtube views – again, the first Nigerian gospel singer to gain such an accomplishment. In November 2016, Sinach then released her 18-track Live Album entitled ‘Way Maker – Live’, which went on to be a huge success, gaining her the Gold Certificate status by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RISA).
Sinach’s music continues to be sung in churches, small groups, conferences and gatherings all around the globe, the impact of which we are yet to discover. It is honestly a privilege to witness her ministry and hear her music. From her first solo album “Chapter One” released in 2008, to her ninth album “Great God” recorded live in London in 2019 and with over 1000 songs written in her entire discography, it would be an understatement to say that we’re eagerly waiting to see what God does with her life next.
Sinach can be found across a variety of social media avenues such as Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Her music can be found via all music outlets as noted on her website.
