The Nigerian gospel music scene has come a long way from the time we predominantly consumed foreign Gospel songs to when we started having our gospel music artists such as Sammie Okposo, Ebenezer Obey, and infinity who sang the popular Olori Oko, Rooftop MCs with lagimo and other hits, but to name a few.
Presently, gospel music hasn’t only grown in leaps and bounds as our Gospel songs have become international hits, but they have also begun to organise independent gospel music concerts with several billed to hold in December. One of which was RockFest 2.0 organised by Gospel music minister, Ada Ehi, and her team.
From the periphery, it is easy for the sanctimonious and legalistic religious folks to write this gathering off as a gathering of less serious baby Christians who only want to dance, scream and satisfy their flesh. However, Rockfest 2.0 organised by gospel music minister, Ada Ehi, and her team and held at the Muri Okunola Park, Victoria Island Lagos, was a Jesus event and an avenue to minister to the younger people in a unique way which was most evident in the gospel rap and Rock songs ministered at the fest.
The concert had gospel artiste’s like mercy chinwo, Onos, Mike Abdul, Nkay, Ada Ehi, Limoblaze, Nolly CIA, Prinx Emmanuel, and many others with American Grammy Award-winning Gospel artiste Lecrae headlining the concert.
Ada Ehi ministering at RockFest 2.0
While many in our ultra-conservative society are more used to the traditional praise and worship songs and may attempt to label it carnal when they hear gospel rap and gospel rock, the truth remains that this is a recognized genre in the gospel category with a strong fan base in Nigeria as evidenced by the turn out of young people singing all of Lacrae’s and limoblaze’s rap styled gospel songs word for word.
You had to be there to witness this gathering of young people praising God in a language and style of music which is not gospel music mainstream but is one that they relate to.
What makes RockFest unique amidst several powerful gospel music concerts organized this December, is the Rock theme in many of the songs ministered at the concert.
While some of the songs ministered were the usual praise and worship songs we know, with hits like Jesus you love me too much by Mercy Chinwo, Halleluyah Sound by Nosa, a special worship session by Dana Wana from Congo, who afterward had us dancing a little bit of Makosa to the popular “He’s Able” rendered in a unique blend of French and English.
Every other song ministered at Rockfest2.0 was majorly either gospel rock or Gospel rap song and the very energetic crowd, which was made up majorly of Genz’s loved them and sang most word for word.
Worthy of mention for the night was Gaise Baba telling the young people that “ there is nothing detty about December, we are cleaning it up with as many Gospel events as possible”.
Kella thrillz while performing a crowd favorite delivered a punch line “ Holy Spirit is the only teacher ma o need shisha!” encouraging young people to rather be high in the spirit of God and not any harmful substances.
Ada Ehi ministered powerfully bringing down a special atmosphere. Limoblaze, a crowd favourite ministered after which he introduced Lecrae who expressed his excitement to finally be in Nigeria and ministered several songs both from his old and new album most of which the energetic crowd sang along to word for word.
With Rockfest2.0 being successful for the second year in a row, Ada Ehi has not only carved a niche for herself as a key figure in alternative Gospel music space, but with Rockfest, she is creating a platform for other alternative Gospel artists whose sound is not the mainstream Gospel music to reach a wider audience.
Ada Ehi and her team who conceptualized RockFest 2.0 seem to be creating a platform where young people can come together to praise and worship in their own unique way either foreign or indigenous rap or rock gospel music, but most importantly a platform through which new souls are reached with powerful gospel music ministrations and the name of Jesus is glorified.
