Like all aspects of the music industry, where there has been significant growth and innovation in how music is made, marketed and consumed, the Gospel music space has undergone significant changes. While the substance and foundation of the genre remain rooted in the message of Christ, salvation, and the amplification of Christianity, some other aspects have received a facelift. Channel Media, known mainly for its innovative approach to events within the gospel industry, extended its innovation into music production. Employing the tactic of a collective, they have released several singles and bodies of work that have won the hearts of many and propelled their mission of spreading the message of Christ and winning souls for the continuity of kingdom work. In recent times, work by Joe Mettle, Cwesi Oteng, Eugene Zuta, Team Eternity Ghana, Oneman1000 and his Oasis Collective have been evidence of how gospel music has evolved while keeping its core intact.
Fusing elements of Highlife, R&B, Soul, and Rap, their latest project, “Distractions,” is a 7-track that takes listeners through diverse themes dear to the artists. Featuring Kyei Mensah, all songs are by Laud Evans, Attakay Jnr, Denzel Roberts, Julia Asante-Mensah, and Fi’ members of the collective and were recorded live during a Channel Media event. Distractions’ incorporation of a diverse sound coupled with the message, writing, and execution embodies the innovativeness of channel media and the substance of gospel music. “Distractions” dares to ask the big questions: What is pulling you away from your faith? Why do we repeat the same sins, and what keeps us trapped in those cycles? – Channel Media
The opening song of the album Rest by Attakay Jnr speaks on the need to let go of control. More often than not, people prefer to be in control of all aspects of their lives. Being the one to make decisions and have the final say on what is in one’s life is something people hold close to heart. However, for people of faith, the ultimate power rests in the hands of the maker. As such, Attakay sings from the perspective of God and encourages believers to let go and allow him to do his work. “I will rescue you” is an assurance of God’s intentions to protect, guide and take care of his children. All he asks in return is that people rest and leave the work to him because “I am with you. I’ve got you”. “Rest is a reassurance of God’s commitment and promise to man.
Everyone is out seeking blessings which will make their life better. However, in our period of abundance, we sometimes disconnect from the things that matter and the things that make us who we are. That is the message Julia Asante-Mensah and Fi communicate on the R&B-esque song Blessing. “I made this blessing become my distraction.” Laced with their soft vocals, the pair take turns to share how what they have been blessed with has become a distraction to their pursuit of God and his ways. Outside the confines of ministry and religion, young adults find themselves consumed by their careers, school, and relationships so much that it draws their attention away from other things that require their focus.
You, a Soul-themed Ballad by Fi, follows Blessing as she opens up about neglecting her maker. In times when she needed God the most, she found herself wandering elsewhere. She spent her time seeking counsel, comfort, and hope in people and other things, but the one person who created her and knows her best. On Otamfo featuring Kyei Mensah, the song is a story of how believers are consumed by sin so much they feel disconnected from God. However, Kyei personifies God and assures them of his never-ending love. He assures them that no matter what they feel they have done or how disconnected they feel from him, he will always love them, and as such, they just need to come to him.
Julia has her solo run on Epiphany, which feels like a sequel to You. Julia recounts how she allowed herself to slip away from the path of her maker, leaving her empty and filled with anxiety. However, she now knows better and is seeking a way back to the saving grace of God. Recognizing her mistake and the unending love and grace of God, she is finally ready to surrender everything to him. “oh I am tired. I can’t lean on my own… And I realize it now that I am free. I surrender it all right now”.
Denzel Roberts and Julia team up on Peace. Employing a singer-rapper combo, Deznel drops rap verses to Julia’s soft, layered hook. The song is about the duo’s quest to find peace away from all the distractions around. While they admit there is some semblance of peace in relationships and other things, the one true peace that is unwavering can only be found in God.
Laud Evans has the last cake of the project with his solo song titled NTTNM. A full highlife-produced song sung in Fante, a dialect of the Akan language, is the embodiment of the entire project. The song is a tale of caution to young adults to be wary of distractions. Paa Kwesi, a character in the song, is being advised to remain steadfast in his christian teachings. He is told that he is likely to fall prey to distractions like anyone else and as such, he must be cautious in his dealings.
At its core, the project is a believer’s guide to keeping faith in Christ and to always remember that everyone is prone to distractions. Distractions are not always from the outside but also from within. However, the project is an assurance of God’s unwavering love and grace and that whenever we feel lost, we can always look to him for solutions. The fusion of diverse genres gives the project a diverse consumer base where people who enjoy Soul, R&B, Highlife and Rap can still connect with the project. Its live production and recording bring to the forefront the rawness of emotions in each singer’s delivery. As such it makes it easier for consumers to connect to the message and stay on theme with the singers from the first song to the last.
In a period where creatives are being innovative and exploring different ways of making music, Channel Media is a classic example of how change and innovation are not bad things. They keep their core message and mission while transforming their sound to attract not just a section of consumers but a wider one.
Written By Nana Kojo Mula.
