Gospel music in Kenya

What made the music Kenyan was the Swahili language, but the vocal intonations and music arrangements were quite similar to Southern African Kwela, popularized by the likes of Miriam Makeba and Dorothy Masuka in the early 1960s.

Over the years the gospel industry in Kenya has grown to be the biggest. However, the content of the music is not as rich as it was before. “Christian music in Kenya defies definition," said Kenyan researcher Jean Kidula in an interview with the Afropop website. "The only thing that anybody can say about it is that, the musicians claim to be Christians."

Veteran music producer Tabu Osusa is one of the outspoken critics of modern gospel. His view is that Kenyan gospel music cannot be considered a genre but rather as a new variant of music whose only distinction can be found in lyrics that reference spirituality. Some music pundits agree with Osusa’s view because many of the gospel songs are essentially modeled either on South African rhythms, Jamaican reggae/dance hall, American hip-hop or Congolese ndombolo.

Gospel music in Kenya is driven largely by the growth of the Christian faith and the ever increasing number of churches. The evolution is not only in sound and concept, but also about changing generations bringing in new perceptions.

Pioneers

Mary Atieno

Mary Atieno is a blind gospel artist who introduced the Kwela Southern African style of music to Kenya’s gospel industry. Atieno was the face and voice of gospel in Kenya throughout the 1980s. She begun singing with one of the first Kenya choirs before going solo with the help of her husband.

Angela Chibalonza

Angela Chibalonza was a Congolese singer and songwriter who relocated to Kenya in the 1990s. She released seven gospel albums before her death in September 2007. Chibalonza’s fame remains even in death. In 2014 the Music Copyright Society of Kenya listed stated that she earned more in royalties than any other music performer in the country.

International Fellowship Church (IFC) Choir

The IFC Choir was based in Jericho, Nairobi. Among its singers was Mary Atieno, who was lead singer on huge hits like ‘Adamu na Hawa’ and ‘Sisi ni Parapanda’. Before IFC, Tanzanian gospel groups were already popular in Kenya. Groups like Mwanza Town Choir in the 1960s came to Nairobi for their recordings.

Famous gospel artists

Rufftone

Roy Smith Mwatia popularly known as Rufftone was the first artists to incorporate dancehall rhythm in Gospel music. He has won several gospel awards.

Helen Mtawali

Aside from having joined the music scene, she is now a music teacher at Daystar University. She is also a voice trainer for artistes and may be best remembered as the music director of a popular TV talent show, Tusker Project Fame

Rose Muhando

Rose Muhando is one of the few Tanzanian artists popular in Kenya. Her vocal prowess is often likened to South African Rebecca Malope. Her energetic performances earned her the title "Brenda Fassie of East African gospel".

Juliani

The hip hop musician Juliani uses his songs to speak against social, economic and political issues.

Live events

Totally Sold Out (TSO)

Totally Sold Out is an annual Gospel event launched in 2005 for Kenyan youths. The event is broadcasted live on Citizen Television.

Kubash

This is an annual Gospel concert organized by Kubamba Tv and the CocaCola company for high school and primary school finalists.

Africa Let’s Worship (AFLEWO)

AFLEWO is an annual worship experience which happens at the Winners Chapel where over 20,000 people attend. It is an initiative of Daystar University’s Sing Africa Alumni.

Awards

Groove Awards

The Kenyan gospel music award ceremony Groove Awards was launched in 2004. Awards are given to musicians in Kenya and the East African region.

Kenya Gospel Music Awards (KeGMA)

KeGMA is an award ceremony that was founded in the year 2016 to recognize uprising gospel artist.

The Kisima Music Awards

This is an annual awards program that recognizes musical talent in East Africa. It recognises musicians from different genres including gospel.

DJs

DJ Mo
He is the CEO of System Unit, a DJing Unit. He also hosts a gospel show on Nation Television Network (NTV).

DJ Sadic
He was once part of DJ Mo’s System Unit but left to form his own Genius Entertainment. He has also been instrumental as a leader and facilitator in many youth gatherings in the country.

DJ Krowbar
He is the host of the Tukuza Gospel Show which airs in Kenya Television Network (KTN)

References

Ketebul Music. (2017). Shades of Benga: The story of Kenya’s popular music 1946-2016.

Gospel Deejays

Events

KGMAs