TMAX IS A FAST-RISING GOSPEL SINGER IN NIGERIA

Tmax is a fast-rising gospel singer, who has never looked back after the successful release of his debut album 'Victorious'. The renowned gospel artist followed up quickly with another great song ‘Ko Halleluyah’. This hard working gospel artist did another great song ‘Working for My Good’ which was based on the word of God in Romans 8:28 that says, ‘all things work together for Good for those who love the Lord and to those that are called according to his purpose’. The song is a beautiful masterpiece that everyone should have, play and confess daily, be rest assured you will dance nonstop. 

The renowned gospel singer Tmax is here again with another song that will stir up your spirit man titled ‘Miracles Everywhere’ Talking about this new song in his words, he said "God is still in the business of doing miracles and he gave me this song in my sleep because I believe he is set to do something big for someone out there". The song is a simple but loaded song, with lyrics that when you confess with your mouth things will begin to happen in your life. This song will surely connect and release people’s faith to see miracles everywhere, this is the real essence of gospel music.

BONGOS IKWUE, A VETERAN SOULFUL MUSICIAN

Remember Bongos Ikwue, a veteran soulful musician from Otukpo in Benue State, Nigeria who some Years ago (mid 1970s - early 1980s) had his music centre at Fadeyi, along Ikorodu Road in Lagos. He believes that humans are limited in what they know and that inspiration comes from the Almighty. Bongos said he used to like Elvis Presley who sang a lot of blues and gospel songs. He remembered one of his songs where he was talking to God Almighty, saying, ‘But this time Lord, you gave me a mountain.’He said he was greatly influenced by Elvis Presley and The Temptations in the early stage of his career.

Bongos started his music career in the  secondary school at Okene when he formed his first band 'Cubana Boys’ with his friends.   He later on formed another band 'The Rooftoppers’ when he was playing at Hamdala Rooftop Hotel in Kaduna. Then He formed  ‘The Groovies’ in Lagos, the band that really brought him to limelight.‎ Bongos Ikwue had some hit albums to his credit in the 1970s and early 1980s.  Some of his most popular songs include 'Still Searching’; ‘You Can’t Hurry the Sunrise’; ‘What’s Gonna be Gonna be’ ‘No More Water in the Well’ and ‘Cockcrow at Dawn’.  

Bongos has this elderly advice to young artists who are still struggling to succeed "There has to be a level of connection between artistes and the listeners or the audience and that is the most wonderful thing a singer or artiste needs. It is how people respond to what you do. You know with entertainment, judgment comes instantly unlike it is for an exam where you wait for it to be marked. You are marked as you are performing. There is a saying that a showman is as good as his last show. So you must take every show seriously". 

Bongos Ikwue has defined what a good music is supposed to be. "For me, good music is a great song that can make you very happy and can make you very unhappy. It is the coexistence of the positive and the negative. There must be a balance and the understanding of balance stems from the listeners. I’m a listener; if I’m listening to your music, what does your music do to me? Has it made me cry? Has it made me happy? Has it made me sad? Has it made me want to listen to you again? Since individuals are not the same, it is very difficult to take any answer as a universal answer".

We wish Bongos Ikwue a happy 77th years birthday and many happy returns. We also thank Almighty God for letting him survive a stroke recently. To God be the glory.

ELIJAH OYELADE IS A SUPER WORSHIP SINGER IN NIGERIA

One cannot count five best worship gospel singers in Nigeria without mentioning Elijah Oyelade.  He has got the voice and sings under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. He has continued to entertain and draw people to God’s presence with his songs which are carefully written with scintillating melodies and harmonies. Elijah Oyelade is best known for his most popular songs including: 'Glorious God'; 'Majesty' and 'Emmanuel'. He remains a soul lifter at every occasion he performs.

Elijah Oyelade's collaboration with one of Nigerians leading worship leader Nathaniel Bassey in the 2016 single 'Owner of the Key' was awesome and the song has always lifted people's souls to God whenever the it is played. 

The song 'Owner of the Key' re-echoes that we are simply nothing without God. Before the world began, God has everything planned out for His children. The manifestation of His entire plan can only come to fruition on the recognition of his supremacy overall. If He is the master of your life, He will make things work out in favour of His will for you because He is the master in control.

Elijah Oyelade’s songs are highly inspiring and have continued indeed to strengthen people’s confidence in God and helped them live life knowing God is in charge and in control of their lives watching to ensure they are kept from shame. 

2020 GRAMMY AWARDS WINNERS

The 62^nd annual Grammy Awards was held on Sunday January 26, 2020 in Los Angeles, USA and as usual there were some surprises as history was made. Here is a list of winners in key categories at the event.

Teenage goth-pop iconoclast Billie Eilish was the big winner with a total of five golden statuettes, including a clean sweep of the "big four" prizes.

Lizzo, the top nomination getter, won three prizes -- best pop solo performance, best urban contemporary album and best traditional R&B performance.

Album of the Year: Billie Eilish, "When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?"

Record of the Year: Billie Eilish, "Bad Guy"

Billie Eilish

Song of the Year (recognizing songwriting): Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell, "Bad Guy"

Best New Artist: Billie Eilish

Best Music Video: Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus, "Old Town Road"

Best Rap Album: Tyler, The Creator, "Igor"

Best Rock Album: Cage The Elephant, "Social Cues"

Best Pop Vocal Album: Billie Eilish, "When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?"

Best Pop Solo Performance: Lizzo, "Truth Hurts"

Best Pop/Duo Performance: Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus, "Old Town Road"

Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus

Best Urban Contemporary Album: Lizzo, "Cuz I Love You (Deluxe)"

Best Country Album: Tanya Tucker, "While I'm Livin'"

Best Alternative Music Album: Vampire Weekend, "Father of the Bride"

Best World Music Album: Angelique Kidjo, "Celia"

Angelique Kidjo

WIZKID THE CHAMPION OF AFRICA’S NEW GENERATION MUSIC

Change they say is the most constant thing in life. The Nigerian music scene is not an exception. There has always been a change in the taste of music played and enjoyed in Nigeria. Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun a.k.a Wizkid cannot be ignored as far as Afro Pop music is concerned in Nigeria. The Star-Boy’s contributions to what is now known as Naija Beat has made him a superstar! Wizkid came to limelight ten years ago as a teenager, just 19-year-old then, with a hit song ‘Holla at Your Boy’. The song, produced by DJ Klem (Knighthouse) and Vebee, is the first single from his debut album ‘Superstar’ during his years of deal with Empire Mates Entertainment (EME).

Seeing then label boss, Banky Wellington drive Wizkid and Skales to a school, in a music video that did not seem Nigerian, imprinted an aspirational image in the minds of teenagers who saw themselves in this singer. This was the perfect introduction the new artist needed. Little wonder he became a sensation immediately after. Fastrack to January 2020, that song has turned 10 years and the generation that grew up with Wizkid’s music remember with nostalgia all the memories ‘Holla at your boy’ created for them. They do not hold back on social media suffice it to say that Wizkid has the largest and strongest fan base for an African artist.

Wizkid has really evolved and everything he breathes on is a hit. He has done a lot of collaborations with both local and international stars including Beyonce, had international deals and several local and international awards. He is still a physically small person but his influence, as an artist and an African voice, has grown exponentially. He was the first ever Nigerian musician to have over one million followers on Twitter, a feat he achieved in 2014. His videos on YouTube has millions of views with ‘Fever’, released in 2018 garnering over 46 million views and the more recent video ‘Joro’ has over 22 million views.

In 2016, Wizkid achieved international recognition following his collaboration with Drake on the global hit, ‘One Dance’, which reached number one in 15 countries, including the U.S, UK, Canada and Australia. He currently has the biggest music deal yet by an African music act with his 2016 deal with RCA Records. Wizkid is also currently one of the richest artists in Africa with a net worth of 20 million dollars.

MERCY CHINWO: A FAST RISING NIGERIAN GOSPEL SINGER

Mercy Chinwo is a fast-rising songstress in the Nigerian music industry. The Port Harcourt born powerful vocalist, songwriter and recording artiste entered limelight in 2012 after winning the Season 2 of popular talent show ‘Nigerian Idols’. Before officially launching her musical career, she lent her voice as backup singer to some popular artists including Sammie Okposo, Joe Praize, Buchi, Chris Morgan and Preye.

Mercy subsequently signed a record deal with EeZee Conceptz record label, owned by Mr. Ezekiel ThankGod (Eezee Tee) who also manages popular singers including Frank Edwards, Preye Odede and Hilda Dokubo. In 2015, Chinwo released her first single titled “Testimony”, then followed up a year later with the release of another single titled “Igwe”. The song that has arguably won her more recognition is “Excess Love”, which she released in June 2018. ‘Excess love’ earned her nationwide recognition and sealed her status as one of the best vocalists in Nigerian Gospel music industry.

Mercy Chinwo has contributed to the gospel music industry with her numerous mind-blowing songs. Her hit songs include Testimony (2015) Igwe (2016) Excess Love (2018) No More Pain (2018) Chinedum (2018) Power Belongs To Jesus (2019) Oh Jesus! (2019). The award winning gospel vocalist and musician has just released a brand new single titled “Akamdinelu” to celebrate her 27^th birthday on 5^th September 2019.

Chinwo has already won some awards including the Best Gospel Artiste at the CLIMAX Awards 2018. In 2019, at the maiden edition of the Africa Gospel Awards Festival (AGAFEST), she won awards in three different categories for her song “Excess Love” beating the likes of Sinach, Prospa Chimana and Tim Godfrey.

Check out my new album Be Joyful distributed by TuneCore and live on iTunes!

Check out my new album Be Joyful distributed by TuneCore and live on iTunes!: Musicians: Sell your own music on iTunes, Spotify, eMusic, Amazon Music, Google Play and many more! Keep all your rights and get 100% of the royalties.