African Gospel Music Awards (AGMA) 2013. And The Nominees Are…

African Gospel Music Awards (AGMA) 2013. And The Nominees Are…

It's up and rolling! The nomination list for the Africa Gospel Music Awards AGMA 2013 has been released with competitive categories including Artiste Of The Year, Discovery Of The Year, Album Of The Year, amongst others. Voting comenced midnight June 2, and will close on the 30th of June.

The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on Saturday July 6, 2013 at The Great Hall, Queen Mary University, Mile End Road, UK. Other special awards to be given that night include AGMA Inspiration Award, Contribution to the promotion of African Music, Trailblazer Awards and Lifetime Achievement.
Below are the nominees:

Discovery of the Year
Mabongi Mabaso (South Africa)
Dare David (USA)
Herty Borngreat (Ghana)
Funke Akinokun (Emirates)
Allen Majera (Uganda)
Moji Olusoji (Nigeria)
Isaac Frempong (UK)
Paapa (USA)
MOG (Holland)
Ebi Mensah (UK)
Hope Kid (Kenya)

Central African Artiste of the Year
Dena Mwana (DRC)
Timotheo Mulonda(DRC)
Bahati Alphonze (Rwanda)
Gaby Irene Kamanzi(Rwanda)
Patient Bizimana(Rwanda)
Alain Moloto(DRC)
Fabrice Nzeyimana -Burundi
Redemption Voice-Burundi
Henoc Mwamba (DRC)

Artiste of the Year West Africa
Psalm Ebube (Nigeria)
Onos Ariyo (Nigeria)
Cwesi Oteng (Ghana)
Gaise (Nigeria)
Frank Edwards (Nigeria)
Abdulai Bayoh (Sierra Leone)
Obi Shine (Nigeria)
Atorise Lanre (Nigeria)
Sayon T. Mayson(Liberia)
Kanvee Gaines-Adams (Liberia)
Rosemarie Baryoh (Sierra Leone)
Michael Oware (OJ) (Ghana)

USA/Canada
Anu Osilesi
Dare David
Zenzo Matoga
Anita Etta
ToluMide
Peggy Otis
Yaw Osei Owusu
David Adesokan
Josephine Atanga
Dominic Nti

Artiste of the Year East Africa
Eunice Njeri (Kenya)
Christina Shusho (Tanzania)
Jimmy Gait (Kenya)
Kambua (Kenya)
Jackie Senyonjo(Uganda)
Kris Eh Baba (Kenya)
Coopy Bly-Uganda
Martha Mwaipaja-Tanzania
DK Kwenye Beat(Kenya)
Eko Dydda(Kenya)

Artiste of the Year Europe
Pappy Messages (UK)
Nana Lukezo (Belgium)
Obed Duku (Italy)
PK Boadi (UK)
Myco Chris (UK)
Elvis E (Holland)
Isabella (UK)
MOG (Holland)
Jane Doka (UK)
Attah Boafo (UK)
Dayo Bello (UK)
Masterdon (Italy)
Cynthia Ukatung (Italy)

Artiste of the Year Southern Africa
Freddy Whales (South Africa)
Ntokozo Mbambo (South Africa)
Keke Phoofolo (South Africa)
Sfiso Ncwane (South Africa)
DMK (Zambia)
Charisma Hanekam (South Africa)
Israel Mosehla (South Africa)
Mahalia Buchanan (South Africa)
Masego Motswiri (Bostwana)
Matthews Matsetse (Bostwana)
Mkhululi Bhebhe (Zimbabwe)

Artiste of the Year Middle East /Asia
Funke Akinokun (Emirates)
Bro. Philemon (China)

Radio Program of the year
Sunday Best Naija FM (Nigeria)
Sunset Drive Sunny FM (Ghana)
Gospel Zone Beat 99.9 FM (Nigeria)
Ndhumiso SABC (South Africa)
Siyadvumisa Ligwalagwala FM (South Africa)
Ekintabuli – Impact FM (Uganda)
Gospel Sunday – Milele FM
Shangilia – Hope FM
Morning Glory Show- London Christian Radio
Mercy and Grace Show – Gambia

TV Program of the Year
Footprints TV (Ghana)
Playlist (UK)
It’s Gospel Time (South Africa)
Divine Jams – Channel 44 (Uganda)
Chemin Des Artistes (UK)
Kubamba – Citizen TV(Kenya)
Tukuza – KTN(Kenya)
I Want to Sing Gospel -TVSA (South Africa)

Afro Rap Artiste of the Year
David Kalilani (Malawi)
Preachers (Ghana)
50 fifty family (South Africa)
Bouqui (Nigeria)
VKP (Kenya)
Kris Eeh Baba (Kenya)
Disciple (Australia)
Gaise (Nigeria)
TB1 (Nigeria)
Andrew Bello (UK)
Lyrical Soldier (UK)
Royal Priesthood (Ghana)

Afro Jazz Musician of the Year
Kunle Ayo (South Africa)
Agboola Shadare (USA)
Isaiah Katumwa (Uganda)
Four Seasons Band (UK)
Olatuja Project (USA)
Ayodele (UK)
Mike Aremu (Nigeria)
Karabo Mongatane (South Africa)
Pastor Kunle Ajayi (Nigeria)
Wandile Nkosi (South africa)

Group of the Year
Tehila Crew (Nigeria)
Preachers (Ghana)
Tim Godfrey and the Xtreme Crew (Nigeria)
M.O.G. (Kenya)
BNG (Nigeria)
Celebration Choir (Zimbabwe)
Worship House (South Africa)
Threadstone -(Nigeria)
African Children’s Choir (Uganda)

Video of the Year
Thank You Jesus – Dena Mwana (DRC)
Double Double- Aaron T Aaron (UK)
Elvis E- Love is Beautiful (Holland)
Praise Party- Sammie Okposo (Nigeria)
Gbare -Gbare – Dr. Kay (Nigeria)
Always Pray for You- Nosa (Nigeria)
Onyedikagi -Tim Godfrey (Nigeria)
Joy- Karabo Mongatane (South Africa)
Imela- Cute Sagay (Nigeria)
Imela- Nathaniel Bassey ft Enitan Adaba
My Days- Preachers ft Isaac Ogoe (Ghana)

Event of the Year
Funke Akinokun ‘Live in Dubai’ (Dubai)
Cwesi Oteng ‘Mercy Project’ Concert (Ghana)
Sonnie Badu ‘Let It Rain’ Concert (Ghana)
Shola Victor-Sajowa ‘Live in London’ Concert (UK)
Groove Awards- (Kenya)
Crown Gospel Awards (South Africa)
Uche Live Recording (USA)
Festival of Worship and Praise (Italy)
Yaw Owusu ‘My Reasonable Act Live’ (USA
Olive Awards –Uganda
Talanta Awards – USA

Producer of the Year
Dee Jones (USA)
Nathan FLO Akiremi (Nigeria)
Wole Oni (Nigeria)
Bongani Mahlaole (South Africa)
KODA (Ghana)
Nacy (Ghana)
Jonathan Zion Hamilton (South Africa)
Tolucci (Nigeria)
Bizzy B (Kenya)
Dr. Eddie (Kenya)
Shabach (UK)
Tolu Okeowo (UK)

Song of the Year
Always Pray for You- Nosa (Nigeria)
Kabiyesi- Cwesi Oteng (Ghana)
High -Onos Ariyo (Nigeria)
Big God – Sammie Okposo (Nigeria)
Only You- Nikki Laoye (Nigeria)
Breath on Me – Ntokozo Mbambo (South Africa)
Inxaniwe – Ntokozo Mbambo (South Africa)
Nobody- Living Faith Connections Featuring Evans Ogboi (UK)
I’m on point- Frank Edwards (Nigeria)
Celebrate – Bouqui ft the Truth (Nigeria)
Mbona- Daddy Owen ft. Dennoh (Kenya)
Appointment- Jimmy Gait Featuring Cece (Kenya)

Album of the Year
Sanctioned by FLO (Nigeria)
The Statement by Sammie Okposo (Nigeria)
Urban Prayers – Rigga (Kenya)
Mercy Project by Cwesi Oteng (Ghana)
Filled by Ntokozo Mbambo (South Africa)
Exodus (The Preview) David Kalilani (Malawi)
Phenomenon– Eben (Nigeria)
BMF – Rise Up (Kenya)
Nuru – Mercy Wairegi(Kenya)
Winnie Mashaba – Bophelo Ke Leeto(South Africa)
Michael Oware (OJ)- NoKwasem (Ghana)

Female Artiste of the Year
Ntokozo Mbambo (South Africa)
Hlegiwe Mhlaba (South Africa) Masego Motswiri –(Bostwana)
Onos Ariyo (Nigeria)
Mahalia Buchanan (South Africa)
Kambua (Kenya)
Kanvee Gaines-Adams(Liberia)
Helen Yawson (Ghana)
Ohemaa Mercy (Ghana)
Lara George (Nigeria)

Male Artiste of the Year
Israel Mosehla (South Africa)
Kekeletso Phoofolo (South Africa)
Eko Dydda-Kenya(Kenya)
Jimmy Gait-Kenya(Kenya)
Cwesi Oteng (Ghana)
Frank Edwards (Nigeria)
Wilson Bugembe(Uganda
Atta Boafo (UK)
DSP Kofi Sarpong (Ghana)
Joe Praize (Nigeria)
________________________________________
SPECIAL AWARDS
*AGMA INSPIRATION AWARD
*TRAILBLAZER AWARD
*CONTRIBUTION TO THE PROMOTION OF AFRICAN MUSIC
*LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
________________________________________
VOTING GUIDELINES
1. Go to africagospelawards.com/nominations.html Click on the ‘VOTE NOW’ button
2. Please register your email address, confirm and submit to be allowed to vote. This is to ensure fairness in the process.
3. Check your email (inbox) and you will find the link to vote
4. If you do not find the link in your email inbox, please check your junk mail folder.
5. Once you have connected to the voting page please make your selections and submit.
(you can only vote for one nominee from each category)
6. You do not have to vote in every category.

The man behinde the hymn "on Christ the solid rock"

A popular hymn declaring the solid, unshakable foundation for the Christian's hope, "The Solid Rock" was penned by Edward Mote in 1834 and put to music in 1863 by composer William Bradbury.
Edward Mote
Edward Mote was born in London in 1797. His parents managed a London pub and left Edward much to his own devices. "My Sundays were spent in the streets," said Edward of his younger years. "So ignorant was I that I did not know that there was a God."
Young Edward took up an apprenticeship with a cabinetmaker, and at sixteen his master took him to hear the preaching of Tottenham Court Chapel's John Hyatt. This experience would change Mote's life, for it was here that he dedicated himself to Jesus Christ.
A cabinetmaker by profession for thirty-seven years, when he was fifty-five, Mote became pastor of a Baptist church, which he helped to establish, in Horsham, Sussex. When offered the title to the church building by the grateful parishioners, Pastor Mote said, "I do not want the chapel, I only want the pulpit, and when I cease to preach Christ, then turn me out of that."
Edward Mote stepped down from his position at the Horsham Baptist church in 1873 when his health declined. He died the next year at seventy-seven years of age, having written over one hundred hymns during his lifetime.
Writing the Hymn
Mote originally published the hymn now known as "The Solid Rock" anonymously, titling it "The Immutable Basis of a Sinner's Hope." He then included it, under his own name, in an 1836 collection entitled Hymns of Praise.
Due to the initial anonymity which raised questions regarding the hymn's true authorship, Mote sent a letter to the editor of the Gospel Herald assuring its readers that he was the hymn's author, and explaining how and when he wrote it.
As he wrote in his letter, Mote penned the words to "The Solid Rock" while he was still working as a cabinetmaker. The words of the refrain came into his mind as he was on his way to work one morning in 1834, and four verses followed that very same day.
The following Sunday, Mote went to visit Mrs. King, a very sick friend. Her husband informed Mote that he and his wife usually read a portion of scripture, prayed, and sang a hymn together, but he could not find his hymn book anywhere. Mote pulled from his pocket the verses he had recently written and offered to sing them with the Kings.
Mrs. King enjoyed the hymn so much and found it so applicable to her present situation that Mote left the words with her, then went home and composed two more verses. He visited her every day until she passed away not quite a week later.
William Bradbury
William Batchelder Bradbury was born in 1816 in York, Maine, to a mother and father both musically gifted. Having already learned the mechanics of a wide selection of instruments, he moved to Boston and began studying the organ. In 1840 he took up teaching music in New York. He studied music more in depth in Germany from 1847 to 1854, then returned to New York.
Bradbury published a large number of musical collections for schools and choirs and composed the music to quite a few well-known Christian hymns. One of these hymns was "The Solid Rock, set to Bradbury's music in 1863. The music and lyrics first appeared together in Bradbury's own The Devotional Hymn and Tune Book, published in 1864.
Bradbury died in 1868.
"The Solid Rock"
"The Solid Rock" asserts that the only sure foundation for the singer's hope is Jesus. This theme, echoed throughout the hymn, is evident in the first stanza:
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.
The refrain goes on to further declare the steadfastness of Christ and the frailty of everything else by insisting that "On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;/ All other ground is sinking sand."
Christ the Rock
Edward Mote expressed in the words of this hymn his reliance on Christ alone: Christ his rock; his hope; his steadfast anchor; his righteousness. In the chaos of the world, when everything is shaken and nothing lasts, when even the strongest and sweetest foundations fail, Mote's verses testify to the unchanging power and grace of Christ, "The Solid Rock" who is, as Mote's epitaph reads, "All the sinner can need, and all the saint desire."
Courtesy www.suite101.com

The story behinde the hymn THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING

There Shall Be Showers Of Blessing

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING
There shall be showers of blessing: This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing, Sent from the Savior above.
CHORUS
Showers of blessing, Showers of blessing we need:
Mercy drops round us are falling, But for the showers we plead.
There shall be showers of blessing, Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys, Sound of abundance of rain.
There shall be showers of blessing; Send them upon us, O Lord;
Grant to us now a refreshing, Come, and now honor Thy Word.
There shall be showers of blessing: Oh, that today they might fall,
Now as to God we’re confessing, Now as on Jesus we call!
There shall be showers of blessing, If we but trust and obey;
There shall be seasons refreshing, If we let God have His way

Written in the 1800′s by Daniel Webster Whittle, this particular hymn is based upon the scripture found in Ezekiel 34:26-27 which reads “I will make them and the places surrounding my hill a blessing. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing. The trees will yield their fruit and the ground will yield its crops; the people will be secure in their land. They will know that I am the Lord, when I break the bars of their yoke and rescue them from the hands of those who enslaved them.” I was reminded of this song as we have had consistent rain in Cleveland, Tennessee over the past weekend.

Daniel Webster Whittle was named after the famous American politician – Daniel Webster. Whittle became a major in the Civil War, and was known as Major Whittle for the rest of his life. You will often times see this hymn written under one of his pseudonyms – El Nathan (kind of sounds like a tropical storm to me). The story of his conversion is a powerful one. Major Whittle lost his right arm in the Civil War and spent time as a prisoner of war. While recovering from wounds incurred during the war, he was in a hospital and came across a New Testament. Although he read it and was convicted by the words, he was unwilling to surrender his life to Christ. One night, an orderly woke him up and asked him to come and pray for a dying soldier. Whittle initially declined. The orderly told him that he thought he was a Christian because he saw him reading the Bible. Conviction set in and, Major Whittle agreed to go. Here’s his testimony about that incident in his own words:

“I dropped on my knees and held the boy’s hand in mine. In a few brok­en words I con­fessed my sins and asked Christ to for­give me. I be­lieved right there that He did for­give me. I then prayed ear­nest­ly for the boy. He be­came qui­et and pressed my hand as I prayed and plead­ed God’s prom­ises. When I arose from my knees, he was dead. A look of peace had come over his trou­bled face, and I can­not but be­lieve that God who used him to bring me to the Sav­ior, used me to lead him to trust Christ’s pre­cious blood and find par­don. I hope to meet him in hea­ven.”

To me Daniel Whittle received showers of blessing in his life. The blessing of God’s word in the form of a New Testament. The blessing of the Lord orchestrating a powerful encounter in a military hospital. The blessing of being brought to the point where he was faced with death and the challenge of where his soul will spend eternity. And most importantly, he was showered with the blessing of God’s grace and forgiveness. What a powerful testimony!
Couple of comments on the lyrics:
“Sound of abundance of rain” – This particular phrasing is based upon the story of Elijah the prophet found in I Kings 18. The land was in drought. Elijah had challenged and mocked the prophets of Baal regarding the promise of God. During the midst of a drought, Elijah poured four barrels of water on the altar that he had prepared. God answered Elijah’s prayer, consumed the sacrifice and the wood, and the water. Shortly thereafter, Elijah told King Ahab that he heard the sound of abundance of rain. Elijah was a man of faith. He hadn’t seen a cloud. He hadn’t felt rain drops. He prayed, and prayed, and prayed – 7 times until the rain came. And when God sent the rain, it wasn’t just a brief rain, but an abundance of rain. God promises blessing in our lives. God sends blessings to us – showers of blessings. Material blessings. Spiritual blessings. Relationship blessings. The Word of God and the preached word. An abundance of blessings – pressed down, shaken together and running over.

“Mercy drops round us are falling” – Hosea 10:12 says “Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.” The Bible promises that the Lord will rain righteousness down for those that sow righteousness. For those that seek the Lord. I believe God is constantly raining drops of mercy around us. We should be looking for those drops of mercy. To be thankful for the little things God does in our lives everyday. Those little brief showers of His grace and mercy that remind us of how good our God is, and they should take us to a place of praise and thankfulness.

COURTESY www.hymnoftheweek.net

Soweto Gospel choir (proudly Africa)

Soweto Gospel Choir was formed in November, 2002

• In December, 2002 their first album “Voices of Heaven” was recorded and went on to reach the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s World Music Chart within 3 weeks of its release in the US

• In 2003 the choir won its first award, a Helpmann Award, Australia’s prestigious Performing Arts Award, for “Best Contemporary Music Concert”

• This success was followed when they won a 2003 American Gospel Music Award for “Best Choir”

• In the same year, they won an American Gospel Music Award for “Best International Choir”

• They performed for President Bill Clinton at a corporate function in Little Rock, Arkansas

• In October 2006, the choir performed as invited guests for their Patron, Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s 75th Birthday Celebrations, in front of an illustrious audience which included former President Nelson Mandela, Mrs Zanele Mbeki, Tokyo Sexwale, Samuel L Jackson, Alfre Woodard and Carlos Santana

• They featured on a guest appearance with Diana Ross, Deborah Cox and Danny K for the “Unite of the Stars” Gala Banquet in South Africa in November 2006

• They were invited guests on NBC’s “Today Show” as well as on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien”

• The choir have also made a guest appearance on ‘The Tonight Show with Jay Leno’

• In December 2006 they performed at Sun City, South Africa, for Oprah Winfrey and 200 of her V.I.P. guests, including Mariah Carey, Mary J Blige, Tina Turner, Patti Labelle, Sydney Poitier and Quincy Jones

• On 11 February 2007, Soweto Gospel Choir received its greatest accolade, a Grammy Award for their second CD “Blessed”, in the category “Best Traditional World Music”

• At the same time, they were nominated for the 26th International Reggae and World Music Awards, held at the Apollo Theatre, Harlem, on 5 May, in the category “Contribution to World Music”, alongside Jimmy Cliff, Salif Keita, Youssou N’Dour and Ziggy Marley

• In May 2007, the choir won a SAMA Award (South African Music Association Award) in the Category “Best Live Performance DVD”

• In June 2007 Soweto Gospel Choir was the support act for the Red Hot Chilli Peppers at their concerts in Germany

• To add to their string of national and international awards, in November 2007 Soweto Gospel Choir won a Metro FM Music Award for Best Gospel Album for “African Spirit”, based on nominations submitted by the radio station’s listeners, and the public
• In February 2008, the choir was awarded a second Grammy Award for their third album “African Spirit”, in the “Best Traditional World Music” category

• Also in February 2008, the choir was honoured with the PanSALB Award for Multilingualism and Nation Building, for “Album of the Decade”

• They performed with Celine Dion during her “Taking Chances” tour of South Africa

• The choir has had the honour of performing with gospel legends Bebe Winans and Kirk Franklin

• While in New Orleans,they recorded a track with rock legend Robert Plant, which was included on a Fats Domino tribute album, with proceeds going to the victims of Hurricane Katrina

• Their 46664 London performance of “Weeping”, with Josh Groban and Vusi Mahlasela, is featured on Josh’s latest album “Collection”

• The choir has toured the world extensively, performing at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall, Sydney Opera House, the Nelson Mandela Theatre and Royal Festival Hall in London

• . They have performed at high profile festivals such as the Edinburgh Festival, the Adelaide Festival, the Hong Kong Festival, and the London Festival, always to huge acclaim

• Soweto Gospel Choir received its third Grammy nomination in December 2008, this time in the category Best Contemporary World Music, for their album, “Live at the Nelson Mandela Theatre”

• The song “Down To Earth” from the blockbuster Wall-E movie, their collaboration with Peter Gabriel, won a Grammy in the Best Movie Song category

• In February 2009, the choir became the first South African artist to perform at the Academy Awards, when they sang “Down To Earth”, the Gabriel/Newman Oscar-nominated song, with John Legend

• In March 2009, they were nominated for three SAMAs (South African Music Awards), for their cd and dvd, “Live At the Nelson Mandela Theatre”, winning the Award for “Best Duo or Group”

• In May 2009, the choir was invited to perform at the Inauguration of South Africa’s new President

• In November, members of Soweto Gospel Choir were flown to Los Angeles to take part in a major Pepsi advertising campaign, alongside Akon and Keri Hilson

• The choir was one of three featured African artists for the FIFA World Cup Draw held in Cape Town in December 2009

• In April 2010, Soweto Gospel Choir was honoured with the inaugural International Achievement Award, at the South African Music Awards held at Sun City.

• Also in April, the choir was invited to perform at the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 World Trade Expo, held in Shanghai, as the African representative.

• The choir collaborated with U2, as the featured South African artist, on the songs “Streets Have No Name”, “Magnificent” and “Boots” for ESPN’s promotional campaign for the 2010 World Cup. Excitingly, the campaign paid dividends, as along with ESPN and U2, Soweto Gospel Choir received a Sports Emmy Award as winners of the Outstanding Music Composition/Direction/Lyrics category on 2 May 2011.

• They can then add an Emmy to their two Grammys, three ‘associated ‘Grammys, three SAMAS and one Oscar nomination – an amazing achievement

• The choir has also been featured in several prestigious magazines and books including in Time magazine and in Andrew Zuckerman’s “Music”, alongside such music heavyweights as Russell Simmons, Herbie Hancock, Ozzy Osborne, John Legend and Mark Knopfler

• They performed at the FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Concert in Soweto, the night before the the opening of the World Cup in June, with a international and African line-up including the Black-Eyed Peas, Shakira, Angelique Kidjo and John Legend.

• In December 2010, Soweto Gospel Choir received its fourth Grammy nomination, in the Best Traditional World Music category, for its album “Grace”. The choir was featured alongside the London Philharmonic Orchestra in the song “Baba Yetu” and on the album “Calling All Dawns”, both of which won Grammys in February 2011

• From May – July 2011, members of the choir toured Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, to rave reviews, while others performed in Guadeloupe , French Caribbean

• In July 2011, eighteen choir members performed six concerts in Maastricht, Holland, with top selling classical violinist, Andre Rieu. They joined the Harlem Gospel Choir on stage as a first time collaboration between these world famous choirs.

• Soweto Gospel Choir joined Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his guests for his 80th birthday celebrations, held in Cape Town in October. They performed at the launch of his new book, and backed Bono on “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”, as a surprise for the Arch. They also sang with other artists at both the cathedral service and the private luncheon for their patron. Bono described them as “brilliant”!

• In November, the choir was given the honour by Clarence House, of welcoming Prince Charles and Camilla, to Soweto, during their royal visit of South Africa

• Also in November, the choir performed two sell out concerts at Sun City, with Josh Groban, joining him on stage for audience favourites “Lullaby”, “Weeping” and “You Raise Me Up”

• In June 2012, Soweto Gospel Choir was invited by South African sensation Zahara, to perform with her and special guest Leroy Bell as part of two sold out concerts that were filmed for her forthcoming dvd.

• Other artists the choir performed with in South Africa during 2012, as their special guests, were Andre Rieu and Johnny Clegg

• In December, Soweto Gospel Choir was nominated for its second Kora (All Africa) Award

• In January 2012, Soweto Gospel Choir performed with other top local artists such as Zahara, Judith Sephuma, AKA, Vusi Mahlasela and Dorothy Masuka as part of the ANC Centenary Concert held in Blomefontein

• The choir is an Ambassador for Nelson Mandela’s 46664 campaign and has performed at the Cape Town, Johannesburg, London and New York concerts with artists such as Peter Gabriel, Bono, Queen, Jimmy Cliff, Johnny Clegg, Eddie Grant Amy Winehouse, Queen Latifah, Wyclef Jean, Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder

• Soweto Gospel Choir has founded its own AIDS orphans foundation, Nkosi’s Haven Vukani, to assist organisations that receive little or no funding. To date, the choir has collected over R4million for their foundation. In South Africa, the choir performs for a variety of charitable organisations.

TheSoweto Gospel choir was founded by David Mulovhedzi.(1st Musical Director)


Article from www.sowetogospelchoir.com
 

Pastor Donnie McClurkin

Donnie McClurkin

Singer

Donald Andrew McClurkin, Jr. is an American gospel music singer and minister. He has won three Grammy awards, ten Stellar awards, two BET awards, two Soul Train awards, one Dove award and one NAACP Image award for his work. Wikipedia

Born: November 9, 1959 (age 53) Height: 1.85 m Albums: Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs, Live in London and More..., The McClurkin Project, The Essential Donnie McClurkin, ... Again, Donnie McClurkinMore Movies and TV shows: Sunday Best, The Gospel, Donnie McClurkin Story: From Darkness to Light, Show Yourself Mighty, WOW Gospel 2009, Donnie McClurkin: Again, Gotta Have Gospel Gold, Apollo at 70: A Hot Night in Harlem, Donnie McClurkin: Live in London and More, Hopeville, Donnie McClurkin: Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs, Verity Records: The First Decade, WOW Gospel #1s, WOW Gospel 2006, Gospel Greats Presents: Praise & Worship Live: Vol. 2, WOW Gospel 2004, WOW Gospel 2005, Gospel Greats Presents: Praise & Worship Live: Vol. 1More Awards: Grammy Award for Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance, Grammy Award for Best Traditional Gospel Album, Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel AlbumMore     Career Gospel vocalist. Formed group with sisters, the McClurkin Singers, late 1970s; formed and directed New York Restoration Choir, late 1970s; recorded with group for Savoy/Malaco label; attended gospel-music seminar given by Rev. Marvin Winans, 1983; became associate minister at Winans's Perfecting Church, Detroit, MI, 1989; suffered from leukemia; led choirs in performances at White House twice; recorded debut album Donnie McClurkin, 1996; recorded The McClurkin Project with sisters, 1999; recorded Live in London & More, 2000. Life's Work One of gospel music's rising stars and most respected figures, Donnie McClurkin has devoted his musical life to gospel's original mission of providing help and hope to people in need. Forging a gospel style that is traditional in orientation but spiced with modern touches from such musical influences as Andrae Crouch and Take 6, McClurkin enjoyed strong sales with his 1996 debut album, Donnie McClurkin, and seemed poised for even wider success with the release of several new projects in the year 2000. Beyond his success in the musical arena, however, McClurkin has maintained an active career as a minister, remaining in direct contact with the audience to which he directs his music. McClurkin was born in 1961, and raised in Amityville, New York, on Long Island outside of New York City. Both of McClurkin's parents were substance abusers, and his childhood was a difficult one, plagued by violence and abuse. Often trying to act as a peacemaker between his warring parents, he found a haven in his family church, the Gospel Tabernacle Assemblies of God, and made a commitment to the Christian religion when he was only nine years old. "The only way my mother could punish me was saying I couldn't go to church," McClurkin later recalled in a Detroit Free Press interview. Mentored by Andrae Crouch McClurkin's real spiritual awakening, however, came two years later when he encountered one of the great gospel singers of the modern era, Andrae Crouch. McClurkin's aunt, a backup singer for Crouch, had arranged a performance by Crouch at McClurkin's church. Crouch took an interest in the troubled youngster, encouraging him not only musically (McClurkin soon became a pianist with the church's youth choir) but also personally, corresponding with him and suggesting Scripture readings that might bring him comfort. For McClurkin, the experience cemented a link in his mind between music and a more general effort to reach out to the afflicted. "Andrae fostered ministry, rather than fame," McClurkin explained to the online magazine crosswalk.com. "It was more ministry to him than anything else, not some glamorous career." McClurkin began to sing as a teenager, and with his four vocally talented sisters formed a group called the McClurkin Singers. As his vocal and compositional talents grew, however, McClurkin aimed not at the gospel spotlight, but at a different kind of ideal. Forming a gospel ensemble called the New York Restoration Choir, McClurkin led the group in performances where gospel music could have a direct impact. The group appeared in prisons and sang on the street. The group recorded for the roots-oriented Savoy/Malaco labels. After telling members of the choir of a divinely inspired premonition that he would one day work with Detroit's renowned minister and gospel-singer Rev. Marvin Winans, McClurkin attended a seminar given by Winans in 1983. Winans likewise sensed a connection. "I don't even know what your name is," he told McClurkin in recollections quoted in crosswalk.com. "I have nothing to offer you, but somehow we're going to work together." The prophecy took a while to come true. However, in 1989, McClurkin relocated to Detroit to join the staff of Winans's 2,000-member Perfecting Church as an associate minister. Diagnosed with Leukemia Nestled in the bosom of gospel music's foremost family, McClurkin seemed headed for a bright future as a performer. "I've been trained real well--having the Winans family at your disposal does that," McClurkin told the Detroit Free Press. Early in his career in Detroit, however, McClurkin was diagnosed with leukemia. The disease went into remission, thanks, McClurkin told crosswalk.com, to prayers from members of the Winans family. According to the Free Press, the disease left McClurkin's tenor voice permanently damaged. Doctors gave him a set of vocal exercises to perform in order to regain his strength. On his own web site's biography, McClurkin does not mention the illness. McClurkin's career blossomed as he performed and led choirs within the Winans fold. He appeared at the White House during the presidencies of both George Bush and Bill Clinton, toured internationally, contributed backing vocals to a number of Winans recording projects, and wrote new music. He also cultivated a friendship with Demetrus Alexander, an executive at the Warner Alliance label. In October of 1996, McClurkin released his self-titled debut album. McClurkin's debut album benefitted from production work by various top gospel performers, including Crouch, Mark Kibble of the a cappella group Take 6, and former CeCe Winans producer Cedric Caldwell. Effectively mixing traditional and contemporary styles, the album included several songs of McClurkin's own composition, a classical-styled version of the hymn "Holy, Holy, Holy," a Christianized Take 6 arrangement of the Pointer Sisters' rousing "Yes We Can Can," and Crouch's "We Expect You." McClurkin himself described his style as "eclectic" in conversation with Billboard magazine's Lisa Collins, and the unique musical assortment appealed to gospel fans. McClurkin's debut album remained in the Top Ten of Billboard's gospel sales chart for over two years. Worked with Kelly Price In 1999, McClurkin returned to the studio with his sisters to record The McClurkin Project for the Gospocentric label. The album showcased McClurkin's arranging skills with what the Detroit Free Press described as "tight, soaring harmony," and also featured McClurkin's own vocals on four tracks. In the spring of 2000, McClurkin's second solo release, Live in London & More, was slated for release on the Verity label, with guest appearances by Marvin Winans and Gladys Knight, and a songwriting contribution from R&B singer Kelly Price. Reportedly in negotiations with an Atlanta-based cable network for his own television show, McClurkin seemed to be a star on the rise. McClurkin did not let his rising success distract him from the spiritual underpinnings of his musical career. Focusing his Perfecting Church ministry on families that, like his own, had suffered through destructive conflicts and sexual abuse, McClurkin laid plans to assume the pastorship of a church of his own. In the spring of 2000, he was conducting monthly services back in his home town of New York City, and hoped to conduct weekly services by the fall of 2000. With Psalm 118:17 as a credo ("I shall not die, but live and declare the works of the Lord"), McClurkin is a performer in touch with the spiritual roots of gospel music. Works Selected discography Donnie McClurkin, Warner Alliance, 1996. The McClurkin Project, Gospocentric, 1999 (with sisters). Live in London & More, Verity, 2000. Further Reading Periodicals Billboard, January 29, 2000, p. 55. Detroit Free Press, March 28, 1997, p. D1; January 9, 2000, p. E4. Ebony, August 1998, p. 74. Early life McClurkin was born Copiague, New York and raised in Amityville, both on Long Island. When he was eight years old, his two-year-old brother was hit and killed by a speeding driver. After the loss, McClurkin found comfort in church and through an aunt who sang background vocals with gospel music musician Andraé Crouch. He formed the McClurkin Singers by the time he was a teenager, and later formed another group, the New York Restoration Choir.[1][2] Ministry He was hired as an associate minister at Marvin Winans' Perfecting Church in Detroit, in 1989.[3] McClurkin served as an assistant to Winans for over a decade. In 1991, a sharp pain and swelling, followed by internal bleeding led, he says, to a diagnosis of leukemia. The doctor suggested immediate treatment, but McClurkin, who was then 31, decided to take his own advice. "I tell people to believe that God will save you," he says, "[and] I had to turn around and practice the very thing that I preached."[4] He was ordained and sent out by Winans in 2001 to establish Perfecting Faith Church in Freeport, New York, where he is now Senior Pastor.[5][6] Music A friendship with a Warner Alliance executive resulted in his signing to the label for his 1996 self-titled LP, with producers Mark Kibble of Take 6, Cedric and Victor Caldwell plus Andraé Crouch. The disc, which featured the perennially popular "Stand," went gold shortly after being publicly lauded by Oprah Winfrey.[7] At the 48th Annual Grammy Awards, he won in the category Traditional Soul Gospel Album, for "Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs".[8] McClurkin is best known for his hit songs “Stand” and “We Fall Down” which were played in heavy rotation on both Gospel and Urban radio. His three solo albums have topped the Billboard charts.[9] Dovetailing off the success of his near double-platinum selling album,"Live in London and More" McClurkin released "Psalms,Hymns and Spiritual Songs" in 2005 and “We All Are One: Live In Detroit” in 2009 which also topped Billboard charts across various musical genres. McClurkin's love for people and desire to share gospel music,globally, is why he includes a language medley:Japanese, Russian, Spanish, and Dutch in most live performances. Radio and television Tom Versen and Tony Sisti of T&T Creative www.tandtcreative.com signed Grammy winner Donnie McClurkin to a radio syndication deal with advertising giant Dial-Global and syndicator Gary Bernstein. T&T Creative provided a mobile recording studio in Pastor Donnie's church that he can also take on the road. He is quoted as saying "As much as I love music and singing, I really love doing radio and the direct feedback I get from my listeners all over the country. I never thought I would be having this much fun doing radio and I could touch and impact so many people."[19] In 2009 he also broadcast his own television show titled “Perfecting Your Faith” on cable television.[10] His television appearances include Good Morning America, CBS Saturday’s Early Show, and the View. He has also been featured in movies like “The Gospel”, “The Fighting Temptations” and television shows “Girlfriends” and “The Parkers.” Discography Studio albums Year Album Chart peaks [11][12] RIAA Certifications U.S. U.S. R&B U.S. Gospel 1996 Donnie McClurkin Released: October 29, 1996 Label: Warner Alliance — — 4 Gold[13] 2003 Donnie McClurkin Again Released: March 4, 2003 Label: Verity Records 31 12 1 Gold[13] 2004 Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs Released: October 26, 2004 Label: Zomba Label Group 12 5 1 Platinum[13] Live albums Year Album Chart peaks [11][12] RIAA Certifications U.S. U.S. R&B U.S. Gospel 2000 Live in London and More... Released: August 22, 2000 Label: Verity Records 69 22 1 Platinum[13] 2008 We All Are One (Live in Detroit) Released: December 2, 2008 Label: Verity Records 26 7 1 Compilation albums Year Album Chart peaks [11][12] U.S. R&B U.S. Gospel 2001 The Collection Released: May 29, 2001 Label: Savoy — — 2007 The Essential Donnie Released: September 25, 2007 Label: Verity Records — 10 2009 Playlist: The Very Best of Donnie McClurkin Released: September 15, 2009 Label: Verity/Legacy Recordings 57 9 2010 Donnie McClurkin: Double Play Released: 2010 Label: Verity Records — — Singles: Stand (1996) Speak To My Heart (1996) Love Will Never Be (1996) We Fall Down (2000) Love Melodies (1998) We Love You, Lord (2000) Ooh Child (2005) with Kirk Franklin) The Prayer (2003)(with Yolanda Adams) I Call You Faithful (2005) That Great Day (2007) (with Tye Tribbett, Da' T.R.U.T.H.) Wait on the Lord (2009) Filmography Hopeville (2007) The Gospel (2005) The Prince of Egypt (1998) wrote and sang "I Am" & "Humanity" 25 Strong: The BET Silver Anniversary Special The Donnie McClurkin Story: From Darkness to Light (2004) Apollo at 70: A Hot Night in Harlem (2004) The Fighting Temptations (2003) Notable television appearances: Super Bowl Gospel Celebration (2012) CNN Saturday Morning (2012) CNN Pierce Morgan Tonight (2012) BET Sunday Best Judge (2012) Super Bowl Gospel Celebration (2011) BET Awards-performance (2011) Sunday Best/ BET Sunday Best -Judge (2011) BET Sunday Best - Judge (2010) 25th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards-Hosted (2010) 24th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards-Co-Hosted (2009) An Evening of Stars: Tribute to Stevie Wonder (2006) 20th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards (2005) 19th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards (2004) 18th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards Preshow (2003) 17th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards (2002) Essence Awards (2003) The Parkers (2002) Girlfriends (2001) 1st Annual BET Awards (2001) Essence Awards (2001) An Evening of Stars: A Celebration of Educational Excellence (2001) Read more: http://www.answers.com/topic/donnie-mcclurkin-1#ixzz2SeCxSnSI

 

ELITE PAP & SPECIAL PAP (DAWA AND JERO) IT CAN STOP CANCER TUMOR GROWTH.

Sorghum May Inhibit Cancer Tumor Growth

Compounds in sorghum called 3-Deoxyanthoxyanins (3-DXA) are present in darker-colored sorgums, and to a lesser extent in white sorghum. Scientists at the University of Missouri tested extracts of black, red, and white sorghums and found that all three extracts had strong antiproliferative activity against human colon cancer cells.
Journal of Agricultural & Food Chemistry. 2009 Mar 11;57(5):1797-804

Sorghum May Protect Against Diabetes and Insulin Resistance

Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) are increasingly implicated in the complications of diabetes. A study from the University of Georgia Neutraceutical Research Libraries showed that sorghum brans with a high phenolic content and high anti-oxidant properties inhibit protein glycation, whereas wheat, rice or oat bran, and low-phenolic sorghum bran did not. These results suggest that “certain varieties of sorghum bran may affect critical biological processes that are important in diabetes and insulin resistance.”
Phytotherapy Research. 2008 Aug;22(8):1052-6

Sorghum is Safe for People with Celiac Disease

Up to one percent of the U.S. population (and about ½% worldwide) is believed to have Celiac Disease, an autoimmune reaction to gluten proteins found in wheat, barley and rye. While sorghum has long been thought safe for celiacs, no clinical testing had been done until researchers in Italy made a study. First, they conducted laboratory tests; after those tests established the likely safety, they fed celiac patients sorghum-derived food products for five days. The patients experienced no symptoms and the level of disease markers (anti-transglutaminase antibodies) was unchanged at the end of the five-day period.
Clinical Nutrition. 2007 Dec;26(6):799-805. Epub 2007 Aug 24

Sorghum May Help Manage Cholesterol

Scientists at the University of Nebraska observed that sorghum is a rich source of phytochemicals, and decided to study sorghum’s potential for managing cholesterol. They fed different levels of sorghum lipids to hamsters for four weeks, and found that the healthy fats in sorghum significantly reduced “bad” (non-HDL) cholesterol. Reductions ranged from 18% in hamsters fed a diet including 0.5% sorghum lipids, to 69% in hamsters fed a diet including 5% sorghum lipids. “Good” (HDL) cholesterol was not affected. Researchers concluded that “grain sorghum contains beneficial components that could be used as food ingredients or dietary supplements to manage cholesterol levels in humans.”
Journal of Nutrition. 2005 Sep;135(9):2236-40

Advantages of Sorghum over Maize in South African Diets

Sorghum has been widely consumed as a staple food and in beverages throughout Africa. More recently, corn has replaced sorghum in some areas. Researchers from the University of Witwatersrand Medical School in South Africa believe that “the change of the staple diet of Black South Africans from sorghum to maize (corn) is the cause of the epidemic of squamous carcinoma of the esophagus.” They link the cancers to Fusarium fungi that grow freely on maize but are far less common on sorghum and note that “countries in Africa, in which the staple food is sorghum, have a low incidence of squamous carcinoma of the esophagus.”
Medical Hypotheses. 2005;64(3):658-60

Antioxidants in Sorghum High Relative to other Grains and to Fruits

Joseph Awika and Lloyd Rooney, at Texas A&M University, conducted an extensive review of scores of studies involving sorghum, and concluded that the phytochemicals in sorghum “have potential to signiciantly impact human health.” In particular, they cited evidence that sorghum may reduce the risk of certain cancers and promote cardiovascular health. Click here to download the full paper.
Phytochemistry. 2004 May;65(9):1199-221

Sorghum May Help Treat Human Melanoma

Scientists in Madrid studied the effect of three different components from wine and one from sorghum, to gauge their effects on the growth of human melanoma cells. While results were mixed, they concluded that all four components (phenolic fractions) “have potential as therapeutic agents in the treatments of human melanoma” although the way in which each slowed cancer growth may differ.
Journal of Agricultural & Food Chemistry. 2001 Mar;49(3):1620-4

If your voice is a great tool for you, then this is a MUST READ.

Does your voice increase your pocket, does it stand you out, or is it a tool to bless someone's life?

Vocalists, professional singers, and others who rely on their voices can enhance their performance with a healthy diet and by avoiding foods that can be harmful to their vocal health. Vocal cords are fragile and vibrate at a very fast rate when singing. Keeping them moist will go a long way toward preventing dryness, which can irritate them.

Vocal Hygiene

One of the most important things you can do is drink a lot of water. The recommended eight glasses a day are not adequate for a vocalist, as this is one way to keep your vocal cords hydrated. Remember that when you drink, water goes down the esophagus to the stomach, not down the opening that goes to the vocal cords. Water must be carried through the bloodstream to the vocal cords. In addition to water, it is important to warm up your voice daily. Avoid yelling and straining your voice, as this causes wear and tear. Proper sleep and rest will help your voice quality.

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Foods to Eat

The best diet for a vocalist is one that promotes overall good health and limits or avoids fatty and fried foods. In addition to lots of water, almonds are rich in good protein and make a healthy snack. Fish and chicken are the best meat options. Eggs, apples, rice, and moderate portions of yellow vegetables are healthy choices. Your diet should include plenty of fruit, whole grains, and vegetables. These foods are rich in vitamins A, C and E, and they help to keep the mucus membranes healthy.

Foods to Avoid

Alcohol diminishes vocal control by causing constriction of the blood vessels in vocal tissue. Cold drinks contract and stiffen the throat and voice. Although some people like lemon water, you should avoid it before singing, as it will dry your throat. Other foods that are drying include salty foods, heavily peppered and spicy foods, and caffeine. Coffee, tea, sodas, and chocolate are common sources of caffeine, and should be limited.

Dairy products should be avoided before a performance. Cheese, milk, yogurt, ice cream, and even some fruits such as bananas can cause excess mucus production. Fast food and high fat foods contribute to weight gain, which strains the body. Many of these foods are also high in salt and dry out the throat. Nuts and snack foods should be avoided before a performance because small bits can be left behind and irritate the throat (Reference 2).

Other Vocal Hygiene Tips

Avoid using mouthwash that contains alcohol. If you need to gargle, use salt water. Don't cradle the phone between your head and shoulder, as this causes muscle tension in the neck. Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke can cause cancer of the vocal folds. Keeping your hands washed will help to prevent exposure to colds and viruses.

 

As a vocalist, your body is your instrument. Like highly specialized athletes, professional vocalists keep their voices healthy and strong by performing vocal warm-ups and breath exercises designed to make the most of their range and lung capacity. Certain foods can positively affect your voice.

 

Honey

Vocal experts tout honey as a soothing remedy for rough throats. Voice coach Aaron Lim favors manuka honey noting that its antimicrobial properties may help ward off bacterial throat infections and accelerate healing. Lim recommends swallowing a spoonful of manuka honey slowly, allowing it to coat the lining of the throat, where it may help ease throat discomfort with its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory abilities.

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Dairy Products

The consumption of dairy products can increase mucus production in some people. You may wish to avoid dairy products before a vocal performance as mucus accumulation can interfere with respiration. Brett Manning, a vocal coach who has worked with Broadway theater singers as well as recording artists, explains that consuming dairy products can lead to excessive, unnecessary throat clearing--a process that can injure the vocal chords.

Caffeinated Drinks

For serious vocalists, caffeinated drinks are a no-no due to their tendency to cause dehydration, which can leave the mouth, throat and vocal chords dry and parched. The New York Eye & Ear Infirmary adds that caffeinated drinks can also aggravate acid reflux, a condition that can be the bane of vocalists. Acids escaping the stomach and moving up through the esophagus to the larynx can cause a condition called laryngopharyngeal reflux, or LPR. It causes chronic cough, sore throat and other symptoms that can lead to voice disorders.

Carbonated Beverages

Carbonated beverages can also promote acid reflux and negatively impact the voice. In addition, Manning notes that the bloating effect of the carbonation can make singing difficult due to excessive air in the stomach.

A Light Meal of Whole Grains, Protein, Fruit and Vegetables

It's important to keep your body nourished so that you'll have the endurance and energy to make the most of your moment in the spotlight. Manning suggests a light meal of wholesome foods eaten one or two hours before taking the stage. Chicken, fish, eggs and rice are suitable to eat before a performance. Fruits and vegetables are also excellent choices, though citrus fruits should be avoided as they can dry out the lining of the throat.

Lara George, Living her dream

Living Her Dream

Like Onyeka Onwenu, Dora Ifudu and a few others, Lara George nee Bajomo is well educated, talented and beautiful.Meeting her at a close range, you are bound to be thrilled by her beauty, intelligence and vibrant nature. George, a former member of the once popular gospel group KUSH that included TY Bello, Emem and Dapo, took CLETUS NWACHUKWU through her modest sojourn in the unpredictable world of music, in a recent ecounter.

SAVE for Dapo and the multi-talented Emem, Lara George and Ty Bello seem to have taken over the airwaves with their well-accepted debut works and have continued to garner acclaims from everyone, including the harshest critics. Describing herself as enigmatic and fun-loving, George traced her journey into the world of music and you cannot but praise her unflinching passion and steadfastness, despite opposition from her overtly protective parent.

"My parents didn't like my involvement in music because they didn't understand it," she recalled. "My parents didn't see music as some thing any serious person should do. They always harp on it that I should remain focused on my school works."

Beginning from Queens College, Yaba, Lagos where she was a member of the choir and onto her days at the University of Lagos, where she graduated with a Masters degree in Architecture, Lara George has always had music in her.

"At the University of Lagos, I was part of a group called Rocksolid, which was my school's fellowship group," she further narrated. "The group released an album called Your Dream Come True. TY, Emem, myself and Dapo were part of the group and we came out to form KUSH, which also released an album. KUSH took a break and now, Lara George is here."

As a most prominent member of Kush, the issue of the group would not just go away and so, she had to talk about it. According to her, as Rocksolid members, they had a natural bond between them. "At Kush, our major goal was to give hope to our listeners and fans, that they could live a good life essentially," she explained. "Our music was inspirational and the feel-good type, but it didn't remove the background we had in God. We released an album, "Let's Stay Together, that everybody loved and that was Kush."

Music experts hold that the bane of most musicians today is lack of format training in music. That was not to be a problem for Lara, because she attended an elitist school, where she was taught how to read music notes and do classical music. Call that a format training in music. But for Lara, music was something innate.

Considering the reactions of her parents who were rightly concerned about the future of their beautiful and unassuming daughter, it definitely took more than human efforts for Lara to hold strongly to her love and passion for music. She recalled too, that while still at school, her mother would refuse to show up at her concerts, and if eventually, dad came, he would leave before the show ended.

"It was a very discouraging period for me. But somehow, I couldn't stop. When I was in Rocksolid and we're working on our album, I had to hide the information from my parents. At a point when I realised that one day, they might be driving and see a poster with me on it, I had to go home and tell them. Yet, they continued warning me to deal more with my academics and I could understand their fears. They didn't want me as a failure."

"With their support, I'm an architect today and I thank them for that,' she enthused. "Maybe if they weren't there for me, I would have dropped out of school. Today, I've good education in my pocket and nobody can take that away from me."

Despite the huge hype that trailed Kush's invasion of the local music scene, her Lara's were not excited. At a point, there was division between her father and mother on whether to support her or not. While her mother insisted on her not doing music, her father would rather she was given the benefit of the doubt, especially in the light of the Kush record deal.

"I thank God for my father because if it was just for my mother, I wouldn't be part of Kush. She was really concerned about my welfare and comfort and all that when we go on tours, said Lara. And eventually, she discovered her mother's bottled up love.

"Overtime, she saw we were not wayward. And one day, I caught her boasting to a friend that her daughter was a member of Kush. That was when I began to really get their support and at the album launch of Kush, they sat at the front row. I shed tears of joy that day; I felt everything had paid off. It was really an emotional moment for me."

She disclosed that the group Kush was actually without a lead singer. Songs were rendered by each member, according to its demand. At times, it was TY Bello or Lara George leading a song. While Emem was the constant rapper. "I had the soprano voice, TY Bello had Alto, Emem, second soprano and Dapo was bass singer."

Many music observers view the presence of Lara George and TY Bello in the music scene as a kind of musical revolution. Full of smiles, George attributed the phenomenon to the grace of God.

"To God be the glory," she remarked. "You are bound to make an impact when you put your hands on something good. That's what everybody prays for. It's our prayers to positively affect lives globally through our music."

But then, the question is, what eventually led to the disbandment of Kush?

"It got to a point when disillusionment set in," anwered George. "For some, music was it and for some, it wasn't. Somehow, we discovered ourselves and for me, I'd always wanted to do music 24/7. When others are not putting in the same efforts and energy as you do, you'd actually get frustrated...Then we sat down, discussed issues and eventually went our separate ways."

But they never stopped being friends, she added, stressing: "Emem, TY, Dapo and myself understood what was on the ground and because of our Christian background, we would overcome our differences. We've since continued to support one another and even TY did the photographs on my album sleeve; Emem did a rap song for me and she was also in TY's video as well."

George would not agree that developments in their their personal lives attributed to the break up of Kush, insisting that TY Bello's marriage and her own had nothing whatsoever to do with the group's break-up.

"I wish Kush hadn't broken up. Having said that, the Bible said that everything worketh for good to them that loves God. God has a way of doing things against the plans of the devil," she philosophised.






Now happily married, George has a one and half-year old boy to show for a relationship that began way back in 1995 before the Kush days. She described her husband as a staunch supporter and inspiration for her musical career.

"My husband was never a problem. He's my biggest fan and inspiration, who encourages me to keep going," she said. "I make bold to say he's the reason why I'm here today. He's always pushing me to the studios, to write more songs and do what I love most- music."

In recent days, the song "Ijoba Orun one of the several hits in George's debut album, has somewhat become the devotional and inspirational song in many homes and offices. The nine-track album entitled Forever In My Heart, music experts concur, is bound to make a most resounding statement in the industry.

She explained that the album project took so long because she had to tidy up several issues mostly based on the traumatic break-up of Kush. According to her, at a particular time, she would not touch music with a 10-foot pole.

"After the Kush break-up, I was sad; honestly, I was depressed for a very long time because it was something that meant a lot to me," she recalled. "Thank God, I was working then and I totally enmeshed myself in my work. That's why it took me so long to come out with this album."

Returning to her passion from the musical doldrums, she revived her groove and decided to give the album project her all.

She explained: "Life's too short and you know, I said, why not do what I love to do? Secondly, I write songs and end up keeping them in the drawers. I don't believe God gave you a gift to hide it. God gave you the gift to positively touch other people's lives. I'm on a mission to fulfil my destiny in life."

Could that be the reason she sings gospel? "I don't believe gospel is a genre of music. I think it's a way of life," she offered. "Even if you're a Muslim, when you sing, your belief would come out and it is so, in whatever you do. My music is soul. It is inspirational and when I'm singing on issues, I do it from the Christian perspective."

"I'd tell you what God has told me to do whenever I find myself in your situation," she added. "I love to call my music inspirational. It's important that people listen to it and are encouraged and empowered. I want to be the light, where there's darkness and give hope to the seemingly hopeless with my music."

Armed with a two-album deal with Westside Music Company, Mrs. George revealed that the recording deal includes a clause for her to leave or stay after one album.

Describing herself as a regular and fun-loving young lady, George said of herself: "I'm very interested in truth. I'm just about facing issues, discipline; loving God and fighting injustice at all times. Overall, I think I'm nice and fun-loving."


Source: Guardian Article