2016 In Review – The Gospel Industry

It’s generally been a good year for the Gospel Industry in 2016. As compared to previous years, I would say, 2016 has seen more of everything; more of successes attained, more of controversies, more of songs and videos released etc… that I believe are signs of growth for/in the industry.
So below I take you through memorable moments of year 2016;
HIGH MOMENTS
Starting off with some good nominations in the 2016 VGMAs, we had Gospel representing in the highest award, thus the Artiste of the year Category having S.P Kofi Sarpong. Gospel acts were also seen across categories which were previously secular dominated – like group of the year saw Preachers in there.
_mg_8117-2Talking high moments in our industry this year, who on earth can talk about VGMA 2016 without a mention of Joe Mettle’s performance… Wheww! What a breath taking moment of standing ovation for the “Gospel fuor” it was.
Now at the moment where the name Joe Mettle comes in, one can hardly disagree that this has really been a great year for our brother, wining a number of awards, including the 1st RIGA Awards in South Africa, and several other nominations.
Talk of the gigs and Joe still seems to top them all too, with several international gigs, including the first ever edition of Gospel Goes Classical live recording on the African continent hosted at the Carnival City – Big Top Arena in South Africa. Where Joe shared stage with America’s Donnie McClurkin and South Africa’s Ntokozo Mbambo, and singing “Yi N’aye” in the Ghanaian local language, “Twi”.
This year also saw ever green Gospel trio Daughters Of Glorious Jesus ordained as Pastors.
CONTROVERSIES
In March, controversies sprung, with back and forth explanations between Yaw Siki and multiple international award winning act, Sonnie Badu. The bottom line being that Sonnie Badu had offered to assist Yaw Siki, after an interview with Yaw on Hitz News went viral.
sonnie-badu-and-yaw-sikiYaw in the interview said “he now makes a living from offertory he receives after preaching in commercial buses” which probably touched Mr Badu’s heart to help.
What looked like a great opportunity for Yaw, later became a whole brouhaha in the media and eventually ended up with Yaw rejecting Sonnie’s offer and Sonnie later apologizing to the former.
In June also, we witnessed a major clash between Naa Mercy and Police turned singer, SP Kofi Sarpong, when the latter decided to sing Kofi Kinaata’s “Susu Ka” on stage at garment of worship hosted by Francis Amo.
Naa Mercy was not too pleased with that and was captured saying that “God is a jealous God. And that children of God should not joke with the Holy Spirit and especially at and the altar of God”.

She was said to have expressed her reservations right in the presence of Kofi Sarpong. This issue trended for days on Facebook with various opinions from Christians, some with the opinion that Naa was judgemental while others felt she was spot on!
gifty-osei-vgma-1Well, we also had some comical yet controversial moment in the middle part of the year, as our own Queen Gee a.k.a Gifty Osei started “trennin“(trending), first with her VGMA outfit then later with her makeup and “brofulized” video response to her critics. Seems Ghanaians just can’t get enough of our Gospel Shatta Wale. Gifty also became greater Accra regional MUSIGA treasurer though.
Various other controversies were recorded, including Bra Sammy’s accident turning out to be a publicity stunt, Selina Boateng’s “Sex before marriage” and of cos the ever metamorphosing Angel Obinim and his issues… among several others.
SONGS
This year, we’ve experienced quite an upsurge in the number of single/song releases and perhaps even albums.
Some which the ears cannot easily pass by are, Kobby Mantey’s REVEALED album; Sanaa’s Sound Optics Album, Joe Mettle’s “Owanwani” single [audiomack src=”http://www.audiomack.com/song/gospelgh/nwanwani-god-of-wonders”] Jeshurun’s “Nyankopon” single [audiomack src=”http://www.audiomack.com/song/gospelgh/nyankopong”] Akesse’s ROAR single [audiomack src=”http://www.audiomack.com/song/gospelgh/roar”] Royal Chris’ “Obrempong” single, [audiomack src=”http://www.audiomack.com/song/gospelgh/obrempong”] Satan Claps by Kobby Salm [audiomack src=”http://www.audiomack.com/song/gospelgh/satan-claps”] and a major comeback of Ike Nanor with Orengyaw Me Da” [audiomack src=”http://www.audiomack.com/song/gospelgh/orengyaw-me-da”] among various other releases by other artistes.
Not forgetting the several peace songs released this year, aligned to the 2016 general elections.
The songs released undoubtedly also brought to light some great talents such as Koby Salm, Malonzy, Akapela De Burner etc. Oh and how can i leave out the Epic release from our one and only Fifi Folson…. #Nmmaaai…. LOL
TRAGEDIES
We definitely cannot forget the great tragedy that befell us, as a nation and as an industry; losing a great and anointed minister, Danny Nettey. Several people poured out their tributes even from the secular circles; notably, HipHop artiste EL, R&B act Jon Germain, Caroline Simpson and others.
danny 1
Danny even received a tribute from the Vice President of Ghana, K.B. Amissah-Arthur. He tweeted “Sad to learn of the passing of Danny Nettey. He was a pillar of the gospel and a great musician. May his family be comforted.”


Our industry also lost other key players including AB of soul winners fame, Solo, who was a popular bass guitarist and the legendary music producer/sound engineer, George Forest.
EVENTS
Talk of events and we can mention our regular annual events, which obviously went quite well this year; ‘Touching God’s Heart’ by Denzel and HBM, ‘August Worship’ by Jeshurun Okyere, Airtel Adom Praise which featured singers of Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir this year and Praiz Reloaded by Joe Mettle.
crowd
But of cos we cannot leave out the not too good experiences, MTN Ghana Stands in Worship or better still …Ghana Stands In Lateness… LOL
BEEFS
Some supposed beef can be recorded as we still follow up on the issue concerning the “akukor funu” hit maker, Great Ampong and the high life giant Lumba. This matter has dragged for a while through the year.
daddy-lumba-and-ampong
Great Ampong & Daddy Lumba are seemingly in a ‘fight’ over a joint album they made of which Ampong accuses Lumba of bolting with all the monitory returns.
POLITICS
A review of 2016 certainly cannot end without the mention of The Politics and the Endorsements as Election 2016 was a key event in the year if not the most prominent. One key name resounds to all; Cwesi Oteng!
Though not the only person who came out boldly to show his support for a political party, Cwesi’s endorsement for Nana Addo is quite memorable as it all started with a simple tweet “I would like to show my support for @NAkufoAddo and to fully endorse him to be our next POGH. I believe Ghana needs a breath of fresh air.” 3:02 PM – 10 Sep 2016


kwesi-oteng-visitLittle did we know that Cwesi actually was going all out with his support for our current Prez Elect Nana Addo. From meeting NADAA at his residence, to several radio interviews endorsing Nana and his social media posts, Cwesi will finally find all that worthwhile as Nana ascends the highest office of the land come Jan 7, 2017.
The year ended with Nacee and his “Onaapo” song for the NDC Campaign  which allegedly fetched him a whooping GHc 140,000.
Word came out, that one Dee Aja claimed to own the song yet received no money for it. After long back and forth discussions on several entertainment review shows as to who really owned the song, it was finally revealed that indeed the song was made by Nacee but he allowed Dee Aja to perform it as a way of supporting the young act to reach the limelight.
Nacee also revealed that he had settled Dee Aja on all monitory terms as they had agreed on and that the gentleman had been very ungrateful for the kind gesture he (Nacee) had showed him. Nacee later released a Gospel version of the Onaapo song dubbed “Onaapo Attention”. Listen/Download the song below [audiomack src=”http://www.audiomack.com/song/gospelgh/onaapo-attention”]
So there you have it, a brief….or maybe semi-brief review of the year 2016 as I recall it. What are some of the key moments in our Christendom/Industry that you feel have been left out? Simply leave them in the comment section below and I’ll be sure to check it out and edit my post if the need be; to add them.
I can’t end without special gratitude to the great GospelGh team for the info and highlights as I put this together.
And to you the reader, thanks for being a part of my 2016 and hope see you shining in greater glory in 2017. Cheers!
@CwesiOfori
-GospelGh-
 
 

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