Nigeria is one of the most blessed and popular countries in the Continent of Africa. Not just because of her natural resources and rich culture or tourism sights but because the country is a box of human talents of all kinds.
In Anticipation, the country is not left behind in terms of music, as her artists have worked so hard to break through the national boundary to international scenes and have also earned themselves international recognition.
Talking about international collaboration in the Nigerian music industry, this level of achievement is not only attained by those in the secular space, rather we have seen couples of Nigerian gospel artists who have wowed their audience with a top-notch international collaboration.
Nigeria is so blessed with good, experienced, and talented gospel artists who have not just graced their local audience but have taken their ministries to international levels.
In this article, we will cover 3 amazing areas that might really interest you to know about the Nigerian gospel music industry.
This article covers;
1 Top collaboration between Nigerian and International gospel artists.
2. Who has the highest international collaboration?
3. Who is the biggest gospel artist?
TOP 5 COLLABORATION BETWEEN NIGERIAN AND INTERNATIONAL GOSPEL ARTISTS
Note: We are not using any special criteria in the arrangements of this list.
* FRANK EDWARD FT. DON MOEN – GRACE
Frank Ugochukwu Edwards also known by his nickname, Frank Richboy is unarguably one of the most successful and talented Nigerian gospel artists.
The Enugu native, introduced himself to the Nigerian gospel music industry with his debut album titled “Definition” which did contain 14 songs with hit tracks.
Frank Edwards had a bigger beginning of his music career and also passed through mentorship with Christ Embassy church and pastor Chris respectively. He is the founder and owner of the Rocktown Records gospel music label.
The ‘Okaka’ crooner has impacted and blessed lives with his gospel ministry, and has also collaborated with other top Nigerian gospel artists to give a soul lifting piece.
In 2016, Frank Edwards took his Music career to another bigger level with an international collaboration with world’s renowned gospel artist, Don Moen. Frank Edwards traveled to USA, for an album project with the USA-based gospel artist Don Moen. Edwards came up with an album titled “Grace” featuring Don Meon.
What made this collaboration amazing was the fact that Don Moen had to sing in the native “Igbo” language in one of the album tracks “Eze Ndi Eze” and others. This was one of the most loved international collaborations done by a Nigerian gospel music artist as the song was loved by many.
* TIM GODFREY FT. TRAVIS GREEN – NARA
Not too long ago after Frank Edwards blessed his listeners with an amazing and soul lighting collaboration with Don Moen, Tim Godfrey, one of the finest gospel talents teamed up with American gospel artist Travis Green for a mind-blowing single.
Timothy Godfrey who is better known as Tim Godfrey is a Nigerian gospel singer. He is best known for his song Nara in collaboration with Travis Greene. He is also the founder and owner of the record label Rox Nation and also the Founder of Xtreme Crew.
The ‘Nara’ crooner broke into the gospel music scene from 2014 ,and since then, he has released powerful singles like ‘Na you be God’ and more. The biggest seems to be ‘Nara’ collaborating with Travis Green.
Travis Green who is popularly known for his hit Single “You made Away” amazed Nigerian gospel music lovers with an unforgettable performance, becoming another international artist to collaborate and speak the Nigerian native language [Igbo].
Tim Godfrey’s collaboration with the American artist Travis Green became more trending following a superb performance at the Dunamis church Abuja where he performed the song “Nara” live with Travis Green.
The performance caught many singing with so much joy and emotions to the glory of God.
The song later became an anthem in most Nigerian churches. Until today the song “Nara” still has a good worship atmosphere in churches.
* EBEN FT PHIL THOMPSON – AGUNECHEMBA
When you talk about big-name gospel artists in Nigeria, you cannot complete the list without mentioning the name, Eben.
Emmanuel Izuchukwu Benjamin better known by his stage name as Eben is a one of the top gospel music artists who is very unique in his style of music.
A stage performer and vocalist is among others artists who are doing very well in the gospel industry with good collaborations.
Eben came into limelight right after his first major public appearance, at a Youth Conference organized by Pastor Chris in 2005 where his hit single ‘IMARAMA’ was first heard, he released his first album; ‘ON THE ROCK’ a year later which was an amazing and successful project.
Eben is loved by many gospel music lovers, especially with one of his hit singles “At the center of it all”, which still remains evergreen when it is raised during worship sessions.
In 2020 Eben had his international collaboration with another USA-based gospel artist Phil Thompson to release a hit Single titled “AGUNECHEMBA”.
Just as Tim Godfrey’s collaboration with Travis Green, Eben performed the ‘Agu’ with the American artists Phil Thompson live in Nigeria.
This was another amazing international collaboration between a Nigerian and American gospel artist.
* NATHANIEL BASSEY FT MICAH STAMPLEY – THIS GOD IS TOO GOOD
The name Nathaniel Bassey as far as the gospel music ministry is concerned has gone beyond the boundaries of Nigerian music to the world of gospel music.
Nathaniel Bassey is one of the most experienced, prolific, and respected gospel artists in not just Nigeria alone but in the African Continent.
Nathaniel is widely known for his amazing performance with the trumpet, and has performed with his most loved instrument on local and international stages.
The Lagos-based musician has backed up his career with top hit singles like ‘Onise iyanu’, ‘I have no other God ‘, etc.
The Onise Iyanu singer in 2017, did an international collaboration with a foreign singer Micah STAMPLEY, to come up with the single ‘This God is too good.
‘This God is too good by Nathaniel Bassey featuring Micah STAMPLEY has blessed souls around the globe. The song reflects on the awesome wonders and God’s faithfulness towards mankind.
Nathaniel Bassey is also the host of the popular online worship gathering “Hallelujah challenge”.
* MERCY CHINWO FT JJ HAIRSTON – EXCESS LOVE (REMIX)
Mercy Chinwo is one of the most talented and sought-after Nigerian female gospel artists. The female singer and performer is so good at what she does, which has earned her top recognitions and big achievements in her music career.
The ‘excess love’ singer broke into the Nigerian gospel music industry with her hit Single “Excess love” in 2018.
The single which brought Mercy Chinwo to limelight became a street anthem, and the song was used by many worship leaders during its trends.
Two years later Mercy had her first international collaboration with American singer JJ Hairton to release the remix of her hit single “Excess love”.
Her remix work of “Excess Love” with the American singer Hairston was as powerful as the original. The official video of the remix work had over 32 million views on YouTube just 3 millions less than the original work.
WHO ELSE DO YOU THINK HIS/HER COLLABORATION SHOULD MAKE THE LIST?
You would ask just that? well maybe not . Which international collaboration between Nigerian and international gospel artists do you think we are missing. Please let us know in the comment section.
WHICH NIGERIAN GOSPEL ARTIST HAS THE BIGGEST INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION.
Now that we have carefully highlighted top international collaborations between Nigerian and International gospel artists, who do you think has the biggest international collaboration?.
Nigeria is blessed with great and amazing gospel artists who have earned global recognition and have also performed in big stages both locally and internationally.
Now good numbers have had big and successful international collaborations with foreign artists and their songs have performed so well in the music industry. This means it is hard or maybe would not be fair to say who has the biggest collaboration internationally.
WHO THEN HAS THE BIGGEST COLLABORATION?
Frank Edwards!
Hey! take a chill maybe we picked someone different from your expected list, but we will explain with just a single fact why we believe Frank Edwards has the biggest international collaboration.
Looking at our list of top international collaborations between Nigerian and international gospel artists, you would observe that Frank Edwards is the only one on the List who did not just collaborate with an international artist for a single but for a whole Album work the ‘Grace”.
Frank Edwards traveled to meet Don Moen in his studio in the USA to work on his first international project. The ‘Grace ‘ album contains 6 inspirational tracks done by Frank Edwards and Don Moen.
WHO IS THE BIGGEST GOSPEL ARTIST IN NIGERIA?
It is difficult to pick who is the biggest gospel artist in Nigeria as there are so many amazing talents in the gospel music space who are doing very well in their career.
When it comes to who is the biggest, there could be numerous yardsticks or criteria to use in forming the list in terms of net worth, the number of Albums or singles, Awards, or international collaboration.
However, no matter the angle you are judging from, when it comes to who is the biggest gospel artist in Nigeria there are names that will always top the A list. These are artists who have built values and have reached higher levels in their careers. Let us take a look at the list
1. Sammy Okposo(blessed memory)
2. Spinach
3. Frank Edwards
4. Nathaniel Bassey
5. Eben
6. Buchi
Who do you think should make the list? Let us interact in the comments section . What is your view and opinion on this subject matter.
Absolutely amazing. Naija got talent