CONTEMPORARY GOSPEL CHANGING THE BUSINESS OF MUSIC IN NIGERIA: Mainstream Evangelists turn to Hip-Ho

CONTEMPORARY GOSPEL CHANGING THE BUSINESS OF MUSIC IN NIGERIA: Mainstream Evangelists turn to Hip-Hop flavored Gospel.

The music business in Nigeria is changing as Evangelists turn from traditional gospel music to mainstream to ensure that the Gospel itself is spread to as many as possible through Hip-Hop.

     One of the acts involved in this new wave of Gospel is the Rooftop MC’s, which consist of two young men called Kunie Adeyoola (Soulsnatcha) and Olaitan Hughes (Sokleva).

    Both grew up with spiritual influences that made them gravitate towards the music industry, and they decided that their sound would be Hip-Hop and their lyrics Gospel.

     They started performing together in 2000 when they formed a group at the University of Lagos, Akoka, called G-Force. Initially the group had six members, but four of the six left and the group disbanded.

     In 2002 the surviving members formed Rooftop MC’s. Their first single, Shock Therapy,” was released in 2004. They later signed a record deal with West Side Music and re-released the single.

     They believe many associate Gospel by its style of music, but they believe that Gospel and Hip-Hop can complement each other.

     “If we call our music Hip-Hop, how do you want us to reach the unbeliever, who will not go to the Gospel stand to buy a Gospel song, says member Adeyoola. “But when we call it Hip-Hop, we can reach them easily. Our music is Hip-Hop ... we preach Jesus. We sing Hip-Hop just like Jay-Z, but we don’t use the kinds of words Jay-Z uses.”

     They are working on two projects one will be launched in August, 2008 and the other in September. They are also working on a clothing line called Jesu Christi. (Source: The Punch/Black Christian News)