Yesterday the letter of gospel artiste Bahati caught many of us by the mouth as we didn’t see that coming on even had the thought of thinking that we would see an artiste clearing the air in public. Probably it was the only option left for Bahati but what is the deeper impact of this public letter ? Does it build or destroy ?
Award winning producer Billy Frank who sang some the most amazing worship songs till date including Nguvu Ya Msalaba , Umeniweza among others is very hurt to see what is happening between the people who are seen to be the light among the thousand of followers who follow them.
It’s hurts to see a fellow gospel artist writing to clear the air with a fellow gospel artist that tells you the magnitude of things-for a fellow gospel artists to fight me it simple means they absolutely don’t understand who they are leave alone who they are serving-but let me say this.
I love music that exalts the Lord Jesus Christ. But my true love for Gospel Music has broken my heart.
I am grieved by the excessive commercialism of contemporary Gospel Music in the Kenya industry I can cite various examples of this illicit love affair with the world. But there is an explicit seduction of the world on Gospel artists that burdens me.
Of course, We have become so obsessed with our own images and fame and money rather than promoting the name, message, kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Please to tell us you are doing this to expand the influence of Christ in culture. If that’s what you think, you are extremely confused. Deceived. Out of touch with “reality”It is easier for the world to pull you down than for you to pull the world up. And in leaning over to reach the world, we often falls in. And we are dragging the precious name of Jesus down with us.
Where did we get the idea that Christ wants us to help him be relevant in this God-ignoring society? The Lord commands us to be holy, faithful, obedient, wise, and loving. The Lord does not want us to show the world that we are regular people just like everyone else. The world already knows that! That’s why they don’t respect the us.We need to be different. Light. Salt. Our influence in the world happens by the difference Christ makes in our lives, not by blending in. The world cannot see our good works and glorify the Father in heaven by watching us divas ,argue, boast, covet,lust, and complain on TV. Get real!
Not only are Gospel artists fallen in love with the world
As I listen to the new Gospel Music released, I am blown away by how talented Gospel artists are. The music, singing, and production can rival anything “secular” project. Unfortunately, I am hearing more thoughtful reflection in some Pop and R&B music than among those who claim to sing for the glory of God.
I listen to a lot of Gospel Music. But I can commend very little of it for worship, private or corporate. Too much Gospel Music has too little gospel in it. It is not God exalting, Christ focused, or biblically saturated. It is fixated with self and market oriented and fame -what we call making a hits and winning awards.
We need music that teaches truth (Col. 3:16), not just cherry-picks phrases that sound good. We need Gospel Music that proclaims the gospel! We need reverent, bible-rooted music that will lead worshipers to think deeply about Christ. We need musicians to record music that will lead us to sing to the glory of God, not just cheer-lead to get an emotional response.
Kenya Gospel artists, please wake up! We are in a storm. And you are playing the Jonah, sleeping your way to Tarshish when you should be headed to Nineveh. The church – and the world – needs you to wake up and give up music about the true and living God
This article is not offering solution to this public duel between gospel artists. It is not the first time gospel artists have ‘fought in public’ It is now going out of hand. I am commenting from a neutral position. For Bahati to have gone public with his complaint about his “brother” shows that the young artist had reached the level of desperation. It is clear that there are not conflict resolution mechanisms among the Gospel artists who I see as ministers. There needs to be a body that resolves such issues rather that washing dirty linen in public. The writer of the article is mixing up to issues of concern. Conflict and content. Let us address both separately. Conflict resolution is urgeng
Its funny how most Djs have gone ahead to promote these kind of Gospel and left the real Gospel. Since they are the front liners they have a great responsibility to determine what they feed the public with through their “Gospel Shows” nowadays its not abt the Gospel but its more of good Expensive videogame and hypped entertaining audio with some gospel words flushing in once in a while. Gospel that soothes the heart and persuades the spirit is left untouched and the singers give up turning to some kind of music that will expose them further letting them forget their purpose. I say this with a dire understanding that Media/Broadcasters are in business and they need to hype their stations in order to increase viwership ans attract advertisers. The same Media has respected God and given a chance for us to be fade through Gospel music and all who have been given the responsibility have the power to choose what we feed on. I would not want to judge but its my opinion. Mainstream Gospel is Really good though it looses meaning the moment our pace setters fail to work together and start fighting on social media. I know of afew DJ’s who have remained professional and spiritual. This trend has to change and let it start with our DJs and presenters. May God open our eyes to see through the mirror. I rest my Case.
I RATHER REMAIN ANONYMOUS TO KEEP MY MUSIC ON AIR. THANK YOU
Sober and sound comment Billy.We should not use the name of the Lord for selfish gain.
hope they are reading this
Wonderful advise Billy.Christ is not an item that we market but a reality that we preach.True praise n worship is what glorifies God…too sad that it's no longer the case with a majority of our gospel musicians
Well said Billy…Pst Ruth Wamuyusongs are examples of well grounded song based on Word of God! among many other Gospel artists …
"We need reverent, bible-rooted music that will lead worshipers to think deeply about Christ. We need musicians to record music that will lead us to sing to the glory of God, not just cheer-lead to get an emotional response." This statement sums up Billy's message.I love the whole message.