Groovy gospel

The biggest gospel music event, Groove Awards goes down tomorrow at Nairobi Baptist Church, Kiundu Waweru looks at the past

Groove Awards ceremony is here with us again, tomorrow, broadcast live by KTN. As the Groove Awards grow, as evidenced by the crowds the tours commanded, so has the gospel industry, with groovy style to boot.

As Pete Odera, a gospel musician of 20 years experience reminded us last year here at Friday Entertainment, gospel music was not popular in Kenya until recently.

In fact, itfs Petefs generation that in the 1990s brought hip into gospel so as to attract the youth. Some sported dreadlocks, others studs. The conservative church of the day was not amused one bit, not even parents.

Jimmy Gait, one of this yearfs nominees, thrills the crowd in Thika. The extravaganza was part of the build-up road events towards Saturdayfs Groove Awards ceremony. [PHOTO: Evans Habil]

"We were rejected and even labelled devil worshipers. But we didnft relent because we had a mission to reach the youth; and our style attracted them." Pete told The Standard.

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But the youth got the message and they took gospel to the next level, and today it can be argued that gospel musicians are giving their secular counterparts a run for their money.

Recap

And what better forum to experience this gospel flavour but at the Groove Awards ceremony. Gospel artists had hit the red carpet at the KICC in style.

The female artistes wearing flowing gowns, high heels with faces gleaming. The male artistes were in shiny suits, tight fitting jeans; many with dreadlocks, and even earrings.

At a casual glance, you would have thought this was a hip-hop event, but when the artistes hit the stage, it was well, pop gospel music. They danced, even somersaulting on stage; Juliani shook his locks even as there was a hip- hop reward category, which he won.

Contrast this scene with Petefs day. Conservatism then was the key word, where even nodding your head while singing in church was a taboo.

The "Groove" generation has defined a new Christian order.

David Kuria, the Chairman, Groove Awards, said that gospel music has become popular in Kenya that an unprecedented number voted including from Afghanistan, Iran, Kuwait, Japan and Pakistan. Itfs the same this year, says Groove founder Kevin Mulei.

And what does the older generation think about this phenomenon taking Kenya by storm? Senior Pastor Mureithi Wanjau of Mavuno Church, while presenting the Video Producer Award last year was made to dance, actually pulling some cool moves, and laughing he said; "church wasnft like this in my day," later he added that Kenya is probably the only country in Africa with a higher rating in gospel music.

But to the more conservative in the society, especially the old, images of men donning rastas and studs singing to the Lord, may not be that appealing, for indeed, they resemble their secular colleagues from the other divide. However, as if to dispel this notion, a group of individual poetry artistes, a genre taking Nairobi by storm, starringly performed Spoken Word titled Cleaning the Airwaves, the poems message was to radio and TV stations urging them to stop airing steamy shows with sexual messages and praise of alcohol. The culprits here, especially, are radio presenters, and secular music videos that feature half naked girls.

Said Number 8, one of the artists; "we in the gospel industry are concerned about the eroding morals in our society and we are calling for sobriety."

Nominees

Well, letfs wait and see what artistes have in store this year. The nominees list features familiar names, though there are also new faces.

Daddy Owen has been nominated for the coveted Male Artiste of the Year which he won last year before graciously surrendering it to his friend Juliani whom he though better deserved it.

Owen has been nominated against Jimmy Gait, Juliani, Man Ingwe, Holy Dave, and Eko Dydda.

The Female Artiste of the Year nominees are Emmy Kosgei, Gloria Muliro, Kambua and Mercy Linah, Mercy Wairegi and Sarah Kiarie.

The other coveted award is the Song of the Year, with Juliani nominated for the Exponential Potential, DK and Jimmie Gait with Furi Furi, Eko Dydda with Ghetto; Liseme by Sarah K, My Call by MOG and Emmy Kosgeifs Ololo.

The innovative Standard Groupfs Tukuza, a gospel show that airs live on KTN and Radio Maisha at on Sunday mornings, has attracted four nominations. Tukuza is nominated for Gospel Radio and TV Show of the Year. The showfs presenter Anthony Ndiema has also been nominated for Radio Presenter of the year. Tukuzafs DJ Krowbar, is a nominee in the DJ of the Year category. Voting closes at midnight tonight.

Due to fans demand, says Kevin Mulei, the show will start at 5pm, televised live on KTN until 9pm at the Nairobi Baptist Church. The hosts will be Kambua and Pastor Uche of the My God is Good hit song.

Mulei says that the artistes geared to perform have been rehearsing the whole of this week.

"We have planned for something yet seenc" he promises.

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