The issue of what gospel music is, has been a big debate among most music industry stakeholders.
Some have even drawn a distinction between gospel music and Christian music. While gospel music is said to be limited to just the life of Jesus Christ and his ideologies, Christian music has been defined to cover things that encompass the Christian religion.
Some theologians even say the personality behind the song determines whether it should be called Christian or gospel.
Explaining the concept of gospel music, Gospel musician Akesse Brempong said on Joy FM’s Showbiz A-Z that God can use anybody, including donkeys, to spread his word.
“Some of the songs that gospel musicians have recorded, if we tell you the writers of the song you would be amazed. And this is what I believe; that if God can use a donkey, God reserves the right to whoever he wants to use,” he said.
The ‘God is Working’ singer further noted that God can inspire anybody to praise and worship him.
“Even stones! Jesus said if these people shut up, the stones will cry out in their place,” he indicated.
He indicated that even though gospel music must project the ideals on Jesus Christ it does not necessarily have to mention him; Jesus can be implied in the content of the song.
Also on the show hosted by Kwame Dadzie, the Channel Manager for Hope TV, Nii Ayite Hammond said that Kwabena Kwabena’s latest single that features Obaapa Christy, ‘Fakye Me’, is not a gospel song, contrary to general perception.
According to him, the fact that the song talks about forgiveness of sins and features a gospel musician does not mean it is gospel.
Nii said the mention of God in a song doesn’t necessarily mean that it is gospel, adding that people worship different gods.
“He has released a very nice song with a gospel artiste. The fact that you release a song with a gospel artiste doesn’t make it a gospel song. You can make it an inspirational song. If the lyrics is about Jesus Christ then it is clear.
When he says ‘ode bone kye’ is he talking about his wife who forgives him or what?” he asked.
Nii also said on the show that other songs like Mama Esther’s ‘Kyekyere No’ and Sonnie Badu’s ‘Money Declaration’ are not gospel songs.
Explaining further the concept of gospel music, Nii Ayite Hammond, a former Chairman of the Ghana Music Awards Board said the personality behind a supposed gospel song also matters.
“For example King Paluta sang Aseda. I know Paluta as a secular artiste. I don’t know him as a gospel artiste. That is where it ends. I don’t know who he worships. So when he says he is giving thanks to someone, my question is, who is he giving that ‘aseda’ to? I shouldn’t assume that, that ‘aseda’ is to the God I worship. I can assume that with Akesse Brempong because he has professed it and shown me what it is. I cannot just accept that music as Christian or gospel music because I don’t know who he serves. Maybe that ‘aseda’ is to a god I do not know,” he said.
Source: myjoyonline.com