Tag: Nathaniel Bassey

Gina Idan, a Ghanaian gospel artist based in the United States, has shared her advice for fellow musicians, emphasizing the importance of not solely focusing on songs in their local dialects but also giving due attention to English compositions for global acceptance.

Her perspective aligns with a recent suggestion made by renowned Nigerian gospel artist Nathaniel Bassey to the Ghanaian music community.

During a concert in Ghana, Bassey urged local gospel musicians to consider writing songs in English, emphasizing that the world needs to hear their music beyond their local dialects.

In an interview with the DAILY GUIDE, Gina Idan, who recently released her single, explained, “I think those who have issues with our brother’s advice have failed to situate the advice in its proper context. Nathaniel is a big artiste whose music continues to gain global attention partly due to the use of English or a blend of English and his local dialect.”

Quoting statistics from Statista, Idan pointed out that English is the most-spoken language globally, with over 1.4 billion speakers. She argued that English songs inherently have a broader market and audience compared to those produced in local dialects.

While acknowledging the international success of songs in local languages, she emphasized the transcultural and geographical reach of the English language.

Observing the trend of musicians translating their songs from local dialects to English in music videos, Idan highlighted the far-reaching consequences of such adaptations. She noted that this not only attracts and impacts more people but also influences audiences beyond the local setting.

However, she underscored that singing in English alone does not guarantee global success; it must be coupled with elements of quality music and effective promotion.

Idan, currently promoting her single ‘Wo So’ (You’re Great), emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to succeed on the global music stage.

As the host of Thanksgiving Worship, an annual gospel concert in the US state of Georgia, Gina Idan continues to promote her reggae-infused single, ‘Wo So,’ produced by the talented Ghanaian sound engineer Morris Babyface. The song glorifies God’s supremacy and sovereignty.”

Entertainment critic and media personality, MC Yaa Yeboah, has joined the conversation surrounding the use of the English language in songs by Ghanaian gospel artists.

During the December 9 episode of the United Showbiz show on UTV, MC Yaa Yeboah endorsed Nigerian gospel musician Nathaniel Bassey’s suggestion for Ghanaian gospel acts to create songs in English for broader international appeal.

She emphasized that using a universal language like English would make it easier for a wider audience to appreciate the songs more fully.

“We know a lot of worldwide hits; we dance to these songs; we follow them; but we don’t know what it means. If you come to Ghana, we have songs by artistes like Wiyaala, Sherifa Gunu, etc. I don’t understand the lyrics to these songs, but I can vibe to them. If I get to understand the lyrics, I will be able to appreciate them more,” she said.

Furthermore, MC Yaa Yeboah said that taking Nathaniel Bassey’s advice would be advantageous for Ghanaian gospel artists and that it made sound business sense.

“So I don’t see anything wrong with what Nathaniel said; business-wise, it is good if you sing in a language that is widely accepted. I appreciate that advice; it doesn’t mean he is saying something because he feels guilty,” he said.

Celestine Donkor has expressed the view that Nathaniel Bassey’s recent advice to Ghanaian gospel musicians stems from a sense of guilt.

According to the “Agbe Boloo” gospel singer, Nathaniel made the comment because Nigerian artists often receive more recognition in Ghana than their Ghanaian counterparts.

“You receive a call for an event, there are about five Nigerian artistes on it and you know that they have paid them huge sums of money but the moment you put your cards on the table, that is the end of the conversation,” she said.

She added that, in contrast to how Nigerian artists are received in Ghana, Ghanaians find it difficult to receive a significant amount of support in Nigeria.

“For me I think this prophecy was inspired by guilt. It was inspired by guilt because you host a concert in somebody’s country, you put only two of their celebrated artistes on their concert. And because you are feeling guilty about the whole thing clashing with some concerts that are already going on, you prophesy that our time will come,” she noted. 

She felt that Nathaniel ought to have counseled the Nigerian music industry to be more accepting of musicians from Ghana.

“I respect Nathaniel Bassey so much but I pray that he will also use the same platform like that, when he gets on the stage of Experience, when he gets on big platforms. He is a global icon. We honour and celebrate him. He should also speak that give your brothers in sister in Ghana a chance,” she said.

Celestine Donkor’s statement follows Nathaniel Bassey’s suggestion at the Jesus Encounter Concert in Accra that Ghanaian gospel musicians should produce more songs in English to broaden their global audience. This has reignited discussions on the significance of language in music appreciation.

While some argue that language is irrelevant, others believe that gospel music thrives on its message, making it advisable to use a language that resonates with a broader audience.

Renowned Nigerian gospel singer, Nathaniel Bassey, has shared a harrowing experience of a series of events that unfolded before a plane he was onboard nearly crashed.

While en route from Charlotte to Washington DC in the United States, Bassey, engaged in worship and adoration, received a divine prompting to sing ‘He Turned It.’

Shortly after this spiritual guidance, the pilots announced an ‘error’ message on the plane’s dashboard.

However, they were unable to determine the exact nature of the issue. Faced with uncertainty, the options presented were either to land at the nearest airport or risk a potential crash.

“Once I was in a flight from Charlotte to DC. I was listening to songs of worship when the spirit asked me to sing Turning Around. I began singing it and immediately after that, the pilots announced that the plane is announcing an error but they cannot tell what it is. Our options were immediate landing or a crash,” Nathaniel Bassey narrated during a ministration.

He added that, “after the pilot’s announcement, I then understood why the Holy Spirit directed me to sing He Turned It.”

In addition, the gospel singer disclosed that he had mistakenly booked a flight to a different state. Nevertheless, the plane unexpectedly landed in the precise state he had originally intended to visit.

He said, “Now the mysterious and miraculous thing is that I was on the wrong plane going into a wrong City because of a mistake I made with booking my flight. And it would amaze you to know that the airport we had our emergency landing is the exact airport I was supposed to be. Not only did God save my life, but he brought me to the right place.”

@soprovs This is what l did before my plane nearly Crash in the USA—Nathaniel Bassey official #fypシ゚viral #tiktokviral #foryou #nathanielbassey #nathanielbasseysongs #potterscity #nanaseiopokusarkodie #planecrashes ♬ original sound – SoProvs