11 GOSPEL ARTISTS TO WATCH IN 2018
This month of the year, at XG we present some exciting gospel music artists that we feel will be very impactful in the music industry in the year 2018.
We bring to you some artists we are excited about going into the year. Some of them are relatively new in the game, most made it on the list based on buzz garnered in 2017 while some made it based on their talent level alone.
Here are the 11 gospel artists to watch out for in 2018
CHEE
Chee in many ways is seen as a fresh talent in the gospel music industry even though she has been around for a while before being fully gospel and you can search her online for yourself. We say this because as many would agree, 2017 was a year to remember for her fans and for the artist herself. She joined Frank Edwards in a quite a number of great projects that stood out and placed the artist more in the spotlight.
The collaboration of Chee and Frank Edwards in the InstaChoir, was a one of a kind initiative which saw massive number of passionate singers come together as a choir via social media platform Instagram. Later on Frank and Chee released a music video “Here To Sing” in October 2017 and had a major success with its released. Following that was even much more better collaboration when Frank Edwards and Chee joined iconic gospel artist Nicole Mullen in a song “Sweet Spirit of God“ in January 2018 this year, and it was history made.
You can see why Chee is one of the gospel artists in Nigeria to watch out for this year, that’s because with all she has done in a few time span mostly in 2017, we are sure 2018 will be much more exciting for her and she may be gearing up towards an explosive reveal this year. So, Chee, if you get to read this, we are anticipating.
GRATITUDE
Emerging as a name to recognize in a genre that is somewhat under-rated, the Hip-hop gospel group Gratitude, shook the industry with their 2017 hit single “Rabababaeh”. The Hip-hop group consisting of 16 rappers and singers are a music group birthed from Coza in Abuja where they began
The video to their hit song “Rababa ba eh” was released later in the year, directed by Lawrence Omo-iyare and continued with a even bigger buzz. These are no doubt the hottest gospel rap-group around and they are hot like fire. This year, we are watching out for what they have up their sleeves and it will be good. How do we know, we just know.
MERCY CHINWO
Mercy Chino can and should be referred to as the biggest break-out artist of 2017, Bam!!! Yes I said it. She has definitely been around for some years but last year was her year to shine and she did shine with style. Her songs are played and sang all over the country and the song “Excess Love” is that song that will linger for years to come. If you haven’t heard it, then we wonder where you live.
In 2017, following the success of her song was a signed deal with music label Ezytee and more song releases such as “On a regular” and “Omena kaya”
Mercy Chinwo is the hottest artists around now and 2017 was a teaser, theres more coming from her this year.
FOLABI NUEL
Folabi Nuel is an artist I definitely look out to see shine this year 2018 and thats because he has got that unique sound and voice that sets him apart. Folabi dropped the song “Everlasting” in 2015. Last year 2017 he caught our attention after featuring in one episode of Ty Bello’s Spontaneous Worship. He also was featured on the song “Jesus” which had Florocka, Folabi Nuel and Gbemiga.
Flabby went on to host a live worship dvd recording in 2017, of which some videos have been released. One of the videos released was “My Heart” released in October of 2017. There so much more talent waiting to be revealed this year 2018.
JERRY K
It is said that every artist only needs one hit song and Jerry K got his. Having been in the music industry for many years, 2017 was a huge break-out year for Jerry K. His worship song “Air I Breathe” was released in 2016 but in 2017 after singing it in South Africa at the Loveworld Festival of Music and Arts, an festival event hosted by Christ Embassy/Blw every 3years, ministering it before and with Pastor Chris, the song went on to become so popular it won the award for Worship Song Of The Year at the prestigious LIMA award organised by BLW annually.
His song has become worship songs and requests nationwide and beyond.
That was his break-out to a new level after which followed the release of the video for the song in September of 2017, garnering more accolades to himself.
Jerry K has since been working on more songs to be released this year and we can anticipate more great songs.
TESTIMONY
Uniquely styled and spectacular gospel music artist Testimony is a man on fire. The Fuji / Contemporary music artist refuses to be boxed but makes music that is contemporary while maintaining that sound from home and of-course the streets.
Dropping singles such as “Testimony”, “Jehovah” and the hit song “Igara”, Testimony kept fans guessing whats next as he dropped his music releases. In August 2017 he dropped a ground breaking music video for “Igara” and got lots of accolades and attention from the industry.
Awarded for “Best New Artist” at LIMA awards 2017 by BLW, Testimony is well on his way to holding a unique place in the industry with his music
ROZEY
With a massive music fanbase that are largely from her Church ministry, BLW and the industry included, Rozey is one of the artists that we and of-course the industry is watching out for this year 2018.
Rozey’s music is produced and headlined by Spiritualbeatz, by the genius of daring, in-demand music producer Kelly Lyon, who is the boss behind the company.
Rozey has been in collaboration with several artists releasing songs and much more, most of which have been released and others will be part of her debut album.
Her album is scheduled to drop this year 2018 and promises to be one of the well anticipated albums that we are in wait to get. Dropping her album will very well place her on her way to establishing her brand stronger in the industry both locally and internationally.
PROTEK
Protek is one of gospel music’s most versatile rapper and holds quite a spot in the Nigerian Hip-hop industry, and popular for his 2015 hit single “Amen”. He has dropped and collaborated on several songs over the years.
Last year Protek held a sold-out successful concert tagged “Protek Live In Concert” in the month of July 2017, which was an epoch making event to his credit. That as a pace setting event in the Hip-hop scene. The rapper is working of several banging singles to drop soon but has revealed that his concert will be much more bigger and better this year because it will host an international guest artist which is still not officially disclosed at the time of this article.
Watch out for this year’s Protek Live in Concert, it will be one of the greatest concerts in 2018.
AYO VINCENT
Sensational gospel music singer Ayo Vincent makes a grand comeback with her just released new worship song “Your Presence is Here” which was released early this year 2018.
The song which has got everyone worshipping has garnered huge responses and downloads from the music industry and many have termed it the return of Ayo. Teaming up with #SpiritualBeatz, the result is a song that very well has laid the ground for an awesome path this year for Ayo Vincent.
She is currently working on more releases this year and we hear there are plans for a video for her released single.
DIVINE
The songstress with a voice like no other, Divine is nothing short of exceptionally gifted.
Formally an artist with Rocktown Records, she has had a successful career over the years and collaborated with top gospel music artists. The artist released her album “The Fire” in January 2017.
She has returned with the fire and in December 2017 released for free a single “What Manner of Love”, one of the songs from her album and she plans to release another song for free from the album.
Divine has an international sound and we anticipate greater projects and releases this year 2018 as she gets more of her music out.
DANIEL MYLEZ
Wonder boy and fast rising Hip-hop rapper Daniel Mylez is that artist full of potential to be the next big thing in the game and he is well on the way. Mylez’s video for his hit single “Glory” was released in 2017 few months after the single previously dropped and has huge responses for this fresh-out young rapper.
Glory video went on a few weeks after release to be on the MTV Base Top 10 videos played last year and staying on the charts for quite a while.
Daniel Mylez bagged a double award at the 2017 Next Rated Awards, an annual award event for Best Promising debuted artists yearly in the categories, “Next Rated Hip-hop/Rap Artist of 2017, and “Next Rated Artists of 2017”. We anticipate what he has planned for the year 2018.
