Over the years, musicians in Nigeria’s music industry have abandoned secular music in response to what they claim is a divine call to become preachers of the gospel.

While some of these artists dominated the gospel music industry and made a fortune, others struggled. Some went on to become evangelists and even pastors, and are now living their most fulfilling lives.

When a musician moves from doing secular music to being a preacher, their listeners are typically taken aback. While some fans may claim they saw it coming, others may question whether they made the correct choice.

Here are the Secular Musicians who took the bold step of venturing into the gospel as preachers.

Chidinma

One artiste who surprised fans with the sudden news that she would be departing from her very successful secular music career is Nigerian powerhouse singer, Chidinma.

Ekile who is a pastor’s daughter years ago joined the race for fame in search of a better life.

She first won the 3rd season of the MTN Project Fame West African singing competition in 2010 and went straight into the Nigerian music industry. It didn’t take long for her to drop her first hit song “Jankoliko”. She became a force to reckon with, dropping “Emini Baller” and “Kedike”.

• RELATED: Nigerian Artists who left Gospel Music to sing secular Songs
• RELATED: Top songs by secular artistes that could pass for Gospel songs

In return, they cheered her up for her incredible vocals and success, something no winner of the MTN project fame was able to achieve.

Years later, she dropped a shocker for her fans by asking them to call her Mummy G.O or Endtime Soldier, explaining that the old Chidimma has turned a new leaf after a call from God.

Chidinma while talking about the decision during a musical ministration said:

“I’m not here because I want fame. I’ve had all of that and I think I’ve had enough of all of that. So, right now is the time to work for my father. He is the one who has called me I did not bring myself here. As a matter of fact, I did not want to be here but I’m going into ministry in full force.”

She is signed to Eeezee Record Label, the home to other Gospel artists like Mercy Chinwo, Juidkay and others.

Soul E

Soul E, also known as Soul E Baba, is another musician who left secular music to seek a career as a minister. Soul E is currently a preacher in South Africa, where he organizes crusades and revivals.

Speaking to Encomium magazine, Soul E said:

I don’t like talking about myself but by the grace of God, I would say I was called into the office of a prophet

Kas

Kas, who is well known for his smash single Fi Mi Le (which I still love), startled fans by announcing that he would no longer be pursuing secular music and would instead become a preacher.

He said about the surprising revelation in an interview with Vanguard,

I don’t know when people will believe I’m saying the truth. The thing is when you have been called people find it hard to believe. I’m an ashawo musician, I’m not an afro-beat artiste; I always say it that I’m an ashawo musician. When I was 7-years old I made a covenant with God that if He can make me a popular musician, in return I will serve Him. God did his part and I became a popular musician but in return I was running. Six pastors at six different times told me that I’m supposed to be a pastor. After a while my mom told me that if God really called me He would reveal Himself to me in a dream. It was like a joke but God later revealed Himself to me and I saw everything from the beginning of the ministry to what it would end up being

He has now done a Fi Mi Le (Gospel Remix).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWaPOk-KQq0

Kenny Saint Brown

Kenny Saint Brown has an elder brother who is an entertainment mogul and co-owner of the then top record label Kennis music.

In the mid-1990s, Kenny Saint Brown, better known to her fans as simply KSB, had a lot of success with secular music. KSB then converted to gospel music in the 2000s and has now become a minister and life coach.

With growing suspicion about her sudden move to the gospel, KSB emphasized in an interview that her switch was not because secular music wasn’t lucrative anymore but because she had a divine calling to do so.

Banky W

Another very popular musician who now does pastorial work is actor/singer, Banky W.

Olubankole Wellington, better known as Banky W, started EME records in 2002, releasing some of the best Rnb songs including “Yes/No”, “Jasi”, “Jaiye ori mi” and even “Ebute metta”, a cover of Rihanna’s “Umbrella”.

But in 2020, Rnb lovers were sad to witness him dump secular music for gospel music following his ordination as a pastor.

He is a minister in The Waterbrook Church where he delivers messages from time to time.

According to Banky, he was also shocked when the senior pastor of his church told him that God wants him to be a preacher.

Banky has released some gospel songs including “Final say” and “Testimony”.

Obiwon

Popular singer Obiwon gave us some of the best music in the 2000s. His 2005 debut album “Overture” featuring his hit single “Onyinye” remains one of Nigeria’s best classic ballad.

Unfortunately or maybe fortunately, Obiwon rebranded into an urban contemporary singer in 2008, changing his stage name to Obiora Obiwon. He said he has undergone a spiritual experience and he’s sure gospel music is what God wants him to do.

Since his rebrand, Obiwon has not been doing bad at all. His album “The Rebirth” featuring songs like “Father”, “Victorious” and “Obimuo” and others, helped seal his place as an evangelist of God.

• RELATED: Nigerian gospel singers allegedly involved in cheating scandals
• RELATED: Top Nigerian gospel musicians and churches they attend

Sunny Okosun

Late Sunny Okosun who died of Colon Cancer in 2008, equally rebranded into a gospel musician during his lifetime. He started his career in secular music in the 1970s, blessing Nigeria with good music.

But in the 1990s, he rebranded into gospel music, dishing songs that many Christians still cannot get over to this day.

This post appeared first on Mp3bullet.ng... Read Original post on 5 Secular Musicians Who Have Become Preachers.

While Lord of Ajasa is credited as one of the first rappers to pioneer rapping in Yoruba, Dagrin is seen as the rapper that made Yoruba rap songs cool and popularized them, paving way for artists like Olamide and Reminisce.

Today we would be looking at the best rap verses from Dagrin on songs in which he was featured on.

• RELATED: Top 5 songs from Nigerian artistes that are deceased
• RELATED: Dagrin Songs that will motivate you.

123 (Remix)- DJ Neptune

This was one of the best tracks that Dagrin ever featured on. “123” is still one of the best rap songs to come out of the Nigerian rap community. Despite being surrounded by other prolific English rappers like M.I Abaga and Naeto C, Dagrin didn’t fail to deliver.

Turn Me Around- Kenny St Brown (KSB)

Dagrin might be street but just like most artists, he has reverence for the divine being. Produced by Sheyman, “Turn Me Around” shows Dagrin paying reverence to God for his success. I wish he was featured on more gospel songs before his death.

Mercies Of The Lord Remix-Oritse Femi

Dagrin’s verse on this song is one of his best. It’s as good as any verse Dagrin ever dropped. It had everything and in his usual manner, he never strayed from the central theme and topic of the song.

Lowkey, ‘Mercies of the Lord Remix,’ was bigger than the original because of Dagrin.

Ako Mi Ti Poju-Naeto C

Ako Mi Ti Poju is the second song Dagrin and Naeto C collaborated on. For some reason, this song is one of Dagrin‘s underrated collaboration. But when it comes down to it, it displays his ability to discuss the vanity with his trademark roots in archetypal Hip-Hop.

At the beginning of Dagrin’s verse, the beat switches to announce his arrival on the song to which he doesn’t disappoint with lyrical wordplays

The part of, “Mo lo sa ATM, mo gba gbem, Mo mu Sagem, so I call all of them…” will always be impressive.

Owo Ati Swagga- Cartiair

In 2009, Nigerian rapper, Cartiair dropped what is now clear was a trap song. It was the smash hit single, ‘Owo Ati Swagger,’ with the beat sampled from Lil Wayne’s 2008 “Milli” song, the song glorified all things prim, proper and bougie.

While the song was a successful hit the remix was unsurprisingly not as big. However, Dagrin’s verse on the song is unforgettable. While the song dropped in December 2009, it did not really take off till after Dagrin passed.

He took the beat and dropped a delivery that merged the central theme of braggadocio and vanity with impressive bars. It’s hard to forget his wordplay with the metaphors of the crotch, Gucci, Prada, Barbers and Clippers and how he was not, ‘a rapper, but a lyrical tyrant.’

• RELATED: Popular Nigerian Artists and the inspiration behind their stage names
• RELATED: List of African artists that reached #1 on the Billboard world album chart

Champion(Remix)- General Pype

The first time most people heard the name Barack O’ Grin was from this song. On this song, Dagrin raised the bar so high with his verse leaving his imprint on the song despite it having artists like Vector, Naeto C, Sasha P and GT on it.

Emi Ni- Ruggedman

Released in 2010 off Ruggedman’s “Untouchable” album, “Emi Ni” is one of the last songs Dagrin did before his death.

“Emi Ni” is a Yoruba phrase word that means “It’s Me” in English. With two strong verses, Dagrin reminds people why he is a lyrical monster. The Music video was released after the passing of Dagrin.

KabaKaba- Konga

On “KabaKaba“, Fuji and Hip-Hop meet to produce an eargasm. Dagrin opens the song with a fire verse.

Efimile-YQ

Produced by the late Dokta Frabz, Dagrin raps about envy and how people are on his case to explain his source of wealth.

• RELATED: Most streamed Nigerian female afrobeat project of all time on Spotify
• RELATED: African artists with an entry on Billboard’s Artist Year-End Chart

Kosorombe-Dipp

“Kosorombo” is another underrated Dagrin’s feature. The love song had the rapper spitting out promises enough to flutter a woman’s heart.

Notable Mentions

1. Lord of Ajasa – Virus
2. Ajuju- Fimile Jo
3. Reminisce- Gbabe
4. Teeblaq-Oti Yapa
5. Oluwe- Ewe Lowo
6. Laylow – Meet Me At The Top
7. 9ice – Loni Ni
8. Sossick – Jor O
9. Tilla Man – Get Low
10. Iceberg Slim – I Made It
11. Jazzman- Olofin erekere

Dagrin best rap verses on songs he was featured on

• 123 (Remix)- DJ Neptune
• Turn Me Around- Kenny Saint Brown
• Mercies of the Lord(Remix)- Oritse Femi
• Ako Mi Ti Poju- Naeto C
• Owo Ati Swagga- Cartiair
• Champion-General Pype
• Emi Ni- Ruggedman
• Kabakaba-Konga
• Efimile-YQ
• Kosorombe-DIPP

This post appeared first on Mp3bullet.ng... Read Original post on Remembering Dagrin: His best rap verses on songs he was featured on.

Sampling Culture has always been a part of the Nigerian Music scene right from the late 90s. As the Nigerian Hip-Hop scene began to thrive, it was obvious that a lot of Nigerian Artists tailored their sounds and songs with that of their western counterparts.

For today’s throwback edition, we would be looking at the Nigerian Hit songs that sampled foreign sounds.

• RELATED: Top 10 most-streamed Nigerian afrobeat albums on Audiomack
• RELATED: Throwback: Iconic Music groups that rocked the Nigerian Music Industry

Ebute Metta- Banky W

Banky W came to the limelight in his music career with the song “Ebute Metta.” Released in 2008 as his first official single, the song was an instant hit. The song was sampled from Rihanna’s 2007 hit song “Umbrella”.

Black Reverendz- Ayangba Girls

The Group Black Reverendz was formed in the early 90s comprising of Shobb2 & Wesley. They came into the limelight with their hit track “Ayangba Girls are Dangerous”, which took the Nigerian music industry by storm in 2000.

The song samples Busta Rhymes‘ Dangerous.

• RELATED: Throwback: Nigerian Albums turning 10 in 2021
• RELATED: Top best musical runs in the Nigerian music industry

Maintain-Catch Cold

Tolu Maintain and Olu Maintain were a group known as The Maintain who dominated the industry with their catchy tunes. One of those is “catch Cold” released in 2002. The song was sampled from Ludacris‘s Area Codes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvrKzmkdBTI

P-square- Bizzy Body

P-square were one of the front liners of the sampling culture in the early 2000s. Their songs borrowed heavily from RnB and Hip-Hop groups. One of these songs is “Bizzy Body” which heavily sampled American Hip-Hop group, Fugees‘ “Ready or Not‘

Rasqie- Soji (Wake Up)

If you do not remember the song titled “Soji”, you are missing a lot. Rasqie was, at the peak of his career, a Kennis Music act who rocked the scene with the like Azadus, Remedies, Platashun Boiz, Kenny Saint Brown, Olu Maintain, Trybesmen among others.

Soji (Wake Up) was recorded and released around 1999 – 2000 and was the only song that got Rasqie all the fame he ever needed.

The song sampled DMX’s ‘Ruff Ryder Anthem’

Sauce Kid Yebariba Samboribobo

Remember Sauce Kid? He also goes by the alias ‘Sinzu’ now. His instant hit song “Yebariba Samboribobo“ was a national anthem and later on, parlance used amongst Nigerians back then.

The song was sampled from Remy Ma’s “Conceited” produced by Scott Storch

This post appeared first on Mp3bullet.ng... Read Original post on Nigerian Hit Songs you didn’t know sampled Foreign sounds.