The origin
of Rap has been traced to poetry; West African poets and folk artists from the
Caribbean had been telling stories and reading poems rhythmically (mostly to
the beating of the drums) over a century before rap came into the lime light.
Then, in the 1970’s rap gained popularity in the US as a kind of street art
especially among African-American teenagers until in 1979 when the Sugarhill
Gang released their hit “Rapper’s
Delight” and officially made rap a widely sort after genre of music and consequently topping
charts.
Rap
basically was chanting rhyming lyrics to a beat but with time it has evolved
into what it is today which has more
complex lyrics and different styles. Although rap mostly had harsh, vulgar
and provocative lyrics, it addressed issues like sex, violence (which some
found offensive) and political issues, it has been accepted as a genre of music
which is why even gospel musicians has inculcated it to GOSPEL MUSIC
However, there
is not really a wide acceptance of rap in gospel as it pertains to sales and
popularity in Nigeria. Ever wondered why the biggest Nigerian Acts are actually
rappers and yet little is said about gospel rappers. I have listened to some
rap songs both good and bad and here, I am going to give you a few reasons why it
is so;
1. Mediocrity
The
Nigerian gospel scene has seen a lot of “mediocre” (I hate to use this word but it best describes it) artists and
producers who don’t spend time to write or develop their music very well; artist
who lack creativity, whose passion is basically tied to their pockets and artist
who unfortunately have carried their songs to ‘whack’ producers and, the most unfortunate of this is that, a good
number of gospel Rappers are in either of these two categories and that is why
most rap gospel songs are ‘whack’
2. Lack
of Understanding
Most
rap artists understand rap to be; saying a few words fast and in time with the
beats, they take little time to write lyrics that actually makes sense because
they are more concerned with the rhymes and the beat, consequently, you end up
having a song that rhymes but makes no sense
3. Bad
Chorus
No
matter how good a rap is, if it doesn’t have a chorus people can relate with,
sing along or enjoy no one would really care to listen more than once because
no matter what you rap they are waiting patiently to sing the chorus along with
you; that is what they understand the most
4. Speed
When
people listen to circular rap they really care less about the exact words but
the entertainment they derive from it but when someone buys a gospel album or
track he wants to be ministered to, he wants to hear a message which would be
impossible if they can’t hear what you are saying simply because you are too
fast, so they end up hearing you shout and then in cases where you have good
chorus they wait to sing along but will always remain sceptical about listening
your next song
5. Content
Like
I earlier stated when someone buys a gospel song whether rap or not he wants to
hear a message not one crazy guy saying a few rhyming words that does not impact
his life. If you are a gospel artist, then know that you are a pastor and your
music is your pulpit, so preach to the people life changing and life impacting
messages or and testimony
6. Complexity
As
I said in my intro Rap has gone from simple rhyming words to more complex one
so if you are to pass a message to the people do it in simple terms; don’t make
your lines too complex for your audience to understand, however, don’t make it
too simple either if not you will have too many weak bars.
Note: Bars simply means lines
7. Origin
In
the early years of rap it was mostly associated with violence, sex, gangs and
drugs; basically stuffs people didn’t want to associate themselves with and in
as much as it has crossed those hurdles it is still difficult to “worship” God with a rap, hence, it is a
less appreciative form in gospel music
8. Age/Era
Let’s
face the truth; our younger generation don’t really care about God anymore
hence the increasing rate of evil and wickedness in the world today so singing
gospel songs is majorly for the older generation; at least that was the way it
was before the advent of this new generation gospel artists who have revolutionalized
gospel music to fit all ages and until gospel rap artist do same they would not
sell
9. Language
and Style
In
as much as Rap’s history can be somehow traced to Africa/Africans, the song
style isn’t Nigerian, so its best you do it or at least add a bit of your
mother tongue and native style to it so you can bring it home for your people.
Now my
advice to gospel rap artist;
If you want
to do successful gospel rap that will impact people as well as make a mark in
the gospel music scene, then you need to write and deliver your rap in ways
that people will understand; and one of the best ways is to get yourself a GOOD CHORUS, a GOOD MESSAGE for your audience and where necessary SLOW RAP and in a language the people
appreciate so that your audience can
enjoy your creativity, imaginative dexterity and your talent without missing
the message therein.
Note also that they are some very gospel rap artist who dish out
wonderful rap songs everyday but they are not very recognized for varying
reasons like; acceptance of gospel hip hop in churches as well as little or no
support by relevant bodies.
To buttress
some of my point I will give you 10 gospel rap songs and songs containing rap
that were successful gospel rap songs by both Gospel and circular artist.
1. Chante
by Ajuju
2. You
too dey bless me Frank Edward ft TB One
3. Lagi
Mo by Rooftop MCs ft Cobhams Asuquo
4. Jehovah
by M.I ft Eben
5. Ori
le by Bouqui
6. Thank
God by DaGrin ft Omawumi
In my next
article I will tell you some of the reasons these songs sold out and I will
also give you some of Nigeria’s great Gospel Rap songs recently released.
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