M.O.G News Archives

Kenyan gospel artists must wake up

Posted on December 31, 2019May 4, 2020 by David Kingsley

A few months ago, I wrote an article where I stated that Kenyan gospel artists were deep in slumber reason being the industry is not as vibrant as it was 5 (or so) years ago.

Also read: Are Kenyan gospel musicians asleep?

Whichever way you look at it, the gospel industry seems to be lagging behind and that is something that is giving me sleepless nights because Kenya is a very religious country.

Mercy Masika

If you look at the biggest local songs this year, you’ll realize that most of them are risqué and I doubt there is a gospel singer who can say that he or she had a hit this year. Of course, Willy Paul does not count or does he?

I miss the days when the likes of Gloria Muliro (where did she disappear to btw?), Daddy Owen, Eunice Njeri, Mercy Masika, Marion Shakoo, Esther Wahome, M.O.G etc. would serve us with hit after hit.

Gospel concerts sold out in a matter of minutes and gospel award shows such as Groove Awards were really coveted. Those were the days when the gospel industry was at the top.

I don’t really know what happened but somewhere along the way, the rain started beating us so much so that almost everything has been dominated by secular artists. From radio and TV stations to awards shows.

M.O.G

To be honest, I don’t have a problem with secular artists. Afterall, they are also Kenyans and at the end of the day it’s a win for local music but at times I wonder what happened to gospel musicians? Did they get too comfortable?

Not that it’s a competition between the two camps but I’d prefer a situation where we have popular secular songs and popular gospel jams. All I am saying is that it’s high time Kenyan gospel musicians woke up from their deep sleep.

Boss M.O.G is back with a new jam ‘I’m Grateful’ and we love it (Video)

Posted on July 30, 2019 by David Kingsley

Former M.O.G member Paul Onyango, alias Boss, has dropped a new jam and we are really feeling it. No, like really!

Dubbed I’m Grateful, the new song talks about being thankful to God for the things that he has done in your life, it doesn’t matter whether they are small or big, you ought to appreciate.

Boss really came through with his alto or is a baritone voice (I honestly can’t tell) in this jam. The song almost takes you back to the days when M.O.G was at the peak of their career. You’ll wish they never parted ways. I digress.

Boss M.O.G

I’m Grateful is a beautiful praise song, it is a song that all of us can relate to since we all have something to thank the man above for, whether it’s good health, a source of income, a family and whatnot.

I really liked this jam. I won’t even lie. I, however, felt that that the the he said ‘I’m grateful’ too many times. Let’s just assume that he wanted to drive the point home or else we’d never forgive him for being so repetitive.

The song was directed and produced by Bcamp Music which is owned by Boss and in my opinion, the execution was good. I particularly love the simple shoot location that they picked, is that a dam or a river? I have no idea.

Watch I’m Grateful below and tell us what you think.

Are Kenyan gospel musicians asleep?

Posted on May 31, 2019 by David Kingsley

I honestly feel like Kenyan gospel musicians are deep in slumber. I’m saying this because I feel that the gospel industry is not as vibrant as it was a few years ago. I feel like it has stagnated.

If you are an avid fan of Kenyan music then I’m sure you remember how the gospel industry was big five to ten years ago. Can you?

M.O.G performing on stage

The gospel industry was so enormous so much so that secular artists were almost unheard of, no one even cared about them or what they were up.

The biggest song in the country at any given time was from the likes of DK Kwenye Beat, Juliani, Willy Paul, M.O.G, Benachi, Daddy Owen, Bahati, Gloria Muliro, Eunice Njeri, Mercy Masika etc.

I don’t know what happened but somewhere along the way, the secular industry overtook took over. We can debate about this until the come home but deep down you also know that this is a fact.

The gospel music is not what it was five to ten years and this begs begs the question, are Kenyan gospel musicians asleep, did they get too comfortable or are they just lazy?

Gloria Muliro

I know it’s not a competition between the two sides. After all, they are all Kenyan. As a Christian, it just gives me comfort when the gospel industry is at the top.

Don’t get me wrong, I listen to a lot of secular music. Yup! From Sauti Sol to Ethic, anything goes. I have nothing against secular musicians.

It’s just I really miss that days when gospel music was the order of the day. Those days when gospel gigs had the biggest crowds. The days when gospel musicians were really praising God with music.

This is a clarion call to all Kenyan gospel musicians. Enough said!