Nigeria has been producing world-impacting gospel artists for generations. As a new addition to the A Step FWD family of writers and contributors, it is with great pleasure that I will be spotlighting and reporting on the abundance of Nigeria’s talent. To kick us off, here’s 5 artists (in no particular order) that you should know…
MOSES BLISS
Moses Bliss who was born on the 20th of February 1995 is a Nigerian gospel singer and songwriter based in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. Many of Moses Bliss’ songs have become very popular online with a great number of streaming and downloads. Moses has a unique style of music, and is regarded as one of the most exceptional and sensational gospel singers in the country. He has recorded a good number of songs, and has been blessing lives musically. Aside from the fact that he’s a songwriter, Moses is also the Music Director of The Engraved Music Crew (TEMCREW). Moses has created a niche for himself in the gospel music industry with his unique style of music and some of his songs. Moses Bliss won the Best Song of the Year 2020 at LIMA (Loveworld International Music Awards) and was awarded the sum of $100,000 by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of Believers Loveworld (Christ Embassy). Moses Bliss is trending with his anticipated debut album titled “Too Faithful” which was launched at The Bliss experience on 16th May 2021 in a musical concert he organized for his album. He has over 30 million views on ‘Too Faithful‘ video on YouTube.
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PRINX EMMANUEL
Prinx Emmanuel is a singer-songwriter, producer, recording and performing artist from Port-Harcourt, Rivers State in Nigeria. He’s one the biggest music export from southeast Nigeria and an exceptional talent you need to listen to. Prinx came into the limelight with the song ‘God No Go Shame Us’ which is now a popular saying in Nigeria amongst youths and older people. He was born on the 9th of September and hails from Abia State but resides in Port Harcourt. He learnt how to play numerous musical instruments and his style of music is just totally different as he makes the audience vibrate to the rhythm of each song. He became very famous in 2022 when he released the song ‘Kumama Papa (TikTok refix)’ with original rendition by Congolese gospel artist, Grace Lokwa. The song went viral and was number one on TikTok Trends, Twitter Nigeria Trends and all over the Nigeria music community. Fans, music lovers & listeners used the song to make videos on Facebook, Twitter, Facebook Reels, Instagram Reels that showed their growth over the years as videos were made with a compilation of old/throwback photos, and current ones. In few days, The song grossed over 20 million streams in 2 months on all streaming platforms. Listen to ‘Kumama Papa (TikTok refix)’ on Spotify below.
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PETERSON OKOPI
Peterson Okopi is another of Nigeria’s multi-talented music ministers and dynamic worshippers. He is a prolific songwriter, music director, skilled singer and plays several instruments, he is working under the Worshipculture label and popularly known for his gospel hit singles like: ‘Osuba’ ‘He’s up to something’, ‘O ga eme’, ‘Baba (The Cry)’. Peterson Okopi was born on August 8, 1997 in Lagos Nigeria, to Benue parents Mr. and Mrs. Adikwu. He grew up on the Nigerian Airforce Base in ikeja Lagos where his father served as an Air Force personnel. He is from a family of six and enjoyed lots of love and support from his family growing up. This massive love and support from his family helped him discover his music talent at a very tender age of 5. He has ministered on one of the biggest church platforms and events in Africa such as MMPraise, a yearly music praise concert organized by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) to celebrate the birthday of their General Overseer, Pastor E.A. Adeboye. He has also shared stages with top gospel music brands like Chevelle Franklin, Nathaniel Bassey, Dunsin Oyekan and many more. In 2018, Peterson Okopi released his first ever single titled ‘Amazing God’ and following the massive success of the song, he released ‘BABA’ his second single in 2019 which also was greatly loved by many. In 2020, he released his third single ‘He’s Up To Something’ under the imprint of TWC Records after his signage to the label. In 2021 he released another single ‘O Ga Eme’ which was followed by his album “ÒSÚBÀ (Here’s Your Praise)” – one of the most anticipated albums of 2021. and listening to the album right now, there is no doubt that the ÒSÚBÀ album was worth the wait. Peterson Okopi won the CLIMA Africa Awards for Discovery Artiste of the Year 2021 and that went further to put him in the limelight in Nigeria and Africa. Currently his debut album “ÒSÚBÀ” has over 5 million streams on all platforms and 600k video views on YouTube. Watch ‘Osuba’ official video below.
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GODFREY GAD
Godfrey Josiah Duniya, popularly known as Godfrey Gad, is a Nigerian musician, writer and performing artist from Kaduna State who won the Unwrap 2018 Season 4. He is one of the fastest-growing gospel musicians in northern Nigeria. Godfrey has a vibrant smile and is passionate about spreading love through his music. Just after the successful release of the single ‘Kabash’ Godfrey Gad strengthened his popularity in the Kaduna State and other northern states in Nigeria with another song titled ‘Doing Well’. This song stole the hearts of his fans for the message in it was all about God’s goodness and the mighty deeds He does in people’s lives generally. Godfrey Gad gained massive audience and popularity with the remix of his song ‘Kabash’ which featured popular Christian/Gospel artiste, Moses Bliss. Watch the video of ‘Kabash’ ft Moses Bliss below.
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YADAH
Yadah is a top female gospel artist, song writer, singer and fashion designer. She hails from the Cross River State of Nigeria (southern region of Nigeria). Yadah has so many songs to her name and she’s using her gifts to bless lives globally. Yadah who goes by the birth name, Agaga Praise Kukeurim grew up in Abuja, Nigeria where she attended primary and secondary schools. Yadah studied Economics at Nasarawa State University and graduated with a first class degree. Yadah is a passionate worshipper and lover of God and has yielded herself as a tool for God to use. She’s also a lover of good fashion and is a proud worshipper, songwriter and worship leader, a voice for Jesus to the nations. Yadah is under the management of Sonshub Media. She came into the gospel music ministry when she released her debut single ‘Goodie Goodie’ in 2017. She also released her debut EP titled “The Blood Covenant” in the year 2018 and soon gained recognition all over Nigeria and Africa with a live recorded song titled ‘Beyond Me’ which was widely accepted amongst others and to that effect, she got more invitations and began to explore deeply into her calling as a music minister. In 2021, Yadah released her much anticipated album titled “The Love Story Album” during a live concert at The Transforming Church, Gwarimpa – Abuja. So many renowned gospel artist like Mercy Chinwo, Prospa Ochimana, Judikay, Chioma Jesus and a host of others attended the album launch, it was indeed a beautiful experience. Watch ‘Beyond Me’ video on YouTube below.
