One of the most rapidly rising gospel music bands in Rwanda, Lewis Vocal Band has released the visuals for the new song ‘Ndakwiringiye’. The visuals show a mesmerizing live performance and Lewis Vocal Band hopes the song and will bring hope and restore faith in God to those who are going through hard times.
Ndakwiringigiye boasts a message to those who have seemingly tried to no success every way to put end to their problems that they should always put their faith in God because he never fails.
In the interview with InyaRwanda, Lewis Vocal Band’s Tuyiramye Protogene speaking on the song says that this song is lyrically styled like a prayer amid the COVID-19 pandemic and related issues that the world is going through.
“It is a song that is lyrically written like a prayer that everybody can speak out and tell God that they still have faith in him no matter what problems they are going they are facing. We want to remind people that whilst the world is going through tough times, people have suffered but they should not lose hope or give up – they should put their faith in God and keep believing because God never betrays ” says Tuyiramye.
You can watch Ndakwiringiye by Lewis Vocal Band down below.
Koryn Hawthrone delivers a stunning live performance of her 2020 track “speak to me” In which she pleads with God to speak to her.
For the latest edition of GRAMMY.com’s inspirational music video series, Positive vibes only, GRAMMY-nominated American Gospel singer Koryn Hawthrone takes us to church music. It was a performance that was opened by Actor Tabitha Brown with a charming dedication to the power and influence of music. In the powerful video, which you can watch in full below, Hawthrone delivers a lively rendition of her 2020 R&B-styled gospel track “speak to me” which featured on her sophomore album “I Am” which debuted at #1 on Nielsen’s current Gospel Album Chart and #2 on Billboard’s Gospel Consumption chart.
The Ministry of Evangelism based on Christian films 'Rwanda Christian Movie Ministry' is set to be officially unveiled at an event on March 20, 2021 from 3:30 p.m. The event will feature a much-anticipated Christian film called 4Cities.
H. Gaspardos, the founder of the Rwanda Christian Movie Ministry, told rwandagospel.com that the event will be Live Online to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and that people will follow it live on 'Rwanda Christian Movie' Ministry's Youtube Channel on Saturday 20/03/2021 from 9:30 a.m.
Araganje said they will show the 4Cities film they have made in the past but they have not released yet. “That’s when we will officially launch the Ministry to coincide with the screening of the film we made called 4Cities,” he said. It is an event in which various servants of God among the most popular here in Rwanda will grace.
These servants of God are; Pastor Tom Gakumba and his wife Gakumba Anitha, well-known in the Healing Center Church, Pastor Stanley Kabanda, and his wife Pastor Julienne Kabanda of the Jubilee Revival Assembly and Minister Aime Uwimana who will contribute to the worship and praise program.
The film 4Cities to be screened at the event is a short film based on the Bible's word on the seed sower (Luke 8: 11-15), which shows the important city that people should strive for.
The Rwanda Christian Movie Ministry is the Ministry of Evangelism founded by Araganje H. Gaspardos, who is also the director of this evangelical organization in collaboration with the Advocate Dative. The Rwanda Christian Film Ministry is a Picture House founded by Araganje H. Gaspardos in 2018, which aims to promote Christian films. The film they made but didn’t go out is called ‘Nabal’, however, they put out a small part of it to prepare people. They plan to release the film in the next few days.
The songs on CeCe Winans latest album are the kind of praise and worship songs she has always turned to for hope and inspiration.
“I grew up in the church and loved being in worship service with everybody singing and praising the Lord together,” she says. “It’s uplifting! So, that’s what I wanted to do with this album.” The album includes familiar songs like “King of Glory,” “Hunger,” and “Worthy of it All,” but also new cuts like “No Greater” and the title track, “Believe For It,” a song she co-wrote.
All are designed to offer strength and encouragement at a time it’s so desperately needed. “With people suffering the way they’ve suffered, a lot of people have lost family members and are still dealing with sickness, I think it’s right on time to really encourage people to believe again.”
Although Winans, a 12-time GRAMMY winner, 23-time DOVE award-winner, and recipient of multiple other awards and honors, has been performing and recording music for more than thirty years, “Believe for It” is her first ‘live’ album. She admits doing a live album in the midst of a pandemic was no easy task.
“I had never done a live record before, right?” she says with a laugh. “And I was like, ‘God, this is the first time I do a live record and now I’ve got to do it in front of no people? I always tell people I sing for an audience of one, but I didn’t mean like this!”
Winans and her team were able to make it work. Since the album was recorded in the latter part of 2020, they were able to invite a small number of audience members and seat them throughout the venue.
“It wasn’t the live concert I was planning on, but we were able to do that. And we were also able to allow some of the people from our church to hear it and they were able to respond which was pretty amazing. So, if you listen to the record, you get a little bit of the live feel.”
Those who follow Winans know she’s part of an extremely talented musical family whose members have been a major force in Gospel music for decades. She grew up in Detroit, one of 10 children born to David and Delores Winans.
“I have seven older brothers,” she explains. “I was the first girl and I have two younger sisters and we all sang.”
All are well-known artists in their own right. Her four older brothers, The Winans, were discovered by the late Gospel great, Andre Crouch. Later, CeCe and her brother, BeBe, began performing as a duo, before venturing off to do their own solo projects. Her brother, Daniel, and sisters, Debbie, and Angie, have all, also been successful in music.
Through the years, Winans has also collaborated with many artists outside her family.
“I’ve been able to meet people in every genre and it’s been amazing,” she explains.
She joined close friend, Whitney Houston in 1995 to record a song featured in the movie “Waiting to Exhale. ” And before the holidays, she recorded a duet with Carrie Underwood for Underwood’s upcoming hymns album.
“You know, Whitney was a dear friend of mine, and Whitney and I definitely had a connection because she, too, was raised in the church. And with Carrie, I met her shortly after she won American Idol, when we both sang at The White House. I remember thinking, wow, she can really sing! Of course, since then, I’ve seen her career grow and blossom.”
Late last year, Winans reached out to Underwood to see if she would record a song for an online concert Winans was headlining as part of her fundraising efforts for Compassion LIVE (a faith-based organization that helps lift children out of poverty). Interestingly enough, as she was trying to track down Underwood, Underwood was trying to connect with her. Underwood ended up singing with Winans for the Compassion LIVE concert, and Winans went into the studio to record their duet for Underwood’s album.
Today, Winans calls Nashville, Tennessee, home. Eight years ago, she and her husband, Alvin, co-founded a church called Nashville Life Church. They have two adult children: a son just named head pastor of their church, and a daughter, who recently gave Winans her first grandchild.
“Yes, a little boy and he is adorable!” she says. “I’m smitten with him and he’s just the joy of my life.”
The baby arrived on Christmas day. Not only was he born during a pandemic, he also came on the same day Nashville suffered a devastating bomb blast downtown.
“My daughter was in the hospital and because of COVID I couldn’t be with her, so thank God for technology because my son-in-law kept us posted. And when she got into her room, she Facetimed me and I was like, oh no, I can’t be there. So, I am praying for her, and an explosion happens downtown, but then Wyatt Thomas was born later that evening. And I was just so grateful they were both okay.”
Winans has been busy spending time with family, but also working to promote the new album she hopes will give strength and encouragement to those in need. She says the 12 songs, including covers of some of her favorite inspirational songs like “Never Lost,” were all carefully chosen to be both a celebration, but offer peace of mind.
“These are songs have touched my heart, encouraged me, and lifted my spirit.”
As she performed them before a less-than-capacity-crowd for the live album, her overriding goal was to be able to share the powerful inspiration they’ve given her – with others.
“I said, God, just let me capture your spirit. If I capture your spirit, then people are going to receive what they need to receive from it. And after I heard it, I was like, thank you, God.”
Lover 'is a new song by artist Uwitonze Clementine (Tonzi) that came out this Friday, March 12, 2021, with its video. It is a song that lasts 2 minutes and 38 seconds, and she did it as her praise to God who didn't abandon her up to now in her life.
In a live interview, Tonzi said that she sat down and thought that God is her eternal friend because He never abandoned her for a single day, so she worked hard to recite this song.
" I was sitting there thinking about my life how God has been with me, I then found that He is a lover. We often call people friends but a lover is a very deep thing.", Tonzi said.
"To say I'm going to find someone to call me a friend, it requires attention because sometimes we have friends and we are friends of others, sometimes times come when friends change, times also change, but God is my friend, more than a friend at all times, Whether it's bad, whether I'm sad, whether I'm happy, whenever I call on God, He is with me.", She continued.
Tonzi said she wanted her new song ‘Lover’ to go out on March 8, 2021, on International Women’s Day, but it didn’t happen because of technical issues. "It's a song I wanted to dedicate to God this Women's Week. I wanted to release it on March 8. but unfortunately, it doesn't happen. I felt it as a praise to my God on this year Women's Day," she said.
She is grateful to her everlasting lover (God) who enabled her to live, endure, win, have peace, and achieve more in her life.
"So everyone who dances can dance this song, especially those in love such as parents (couples), all different people, this song is a celebration, it's a dance that celebrates the lover who lived with you. , you go on a trip and get there peacefully, you are at work and it goes well, ... every time you call him and he is there, Express your joy through this song, I hope this will make you happy, " said Tonzi.
Tonzi concluded by thanking her husband Mr. Alpha from Alpha Entertainment for his significant contribution to the production of the song ‘Umukunzi’, and thanked Julien Bmjizzo who did the video and Pastor P who did the audio. Tonzi released the song two months after putting out a song called ‘Ushimwe’ which was very well received by Gospel music fans. The popular singer of the song 'Humura' has informed her fans that all her songs can be found on her YouTube Channel 'Tonzi Official'.
World-renowned composer, guitarist, vocalist and producer Vasti Jackson has shown special appreciation to all women across the globe, particularly Rwandan women, through his brand-new song ‘She is Woman Enough’
The Multi-Grammy nominee dropped the song today, March 8, on the occasion of the “International Women’s Day” celebrations to raise a voice and let every woman know she is appreciated, loved and celebrated on this day… and every single day.
Nashville, TN (March 11, 2021) The Gospel Music Association is proud to announce its first Easter broadcast special, Because He Lives: An Easter Celebration. Conceptualized as a way to celebrate and recognize Christ’s death and resurrection through song, the star-studded line-up includes powerful performances by Amy Grant, Anthony Brown & Group TherAPy, CeCe Winans, Ellie Holcomb, Jekalyn Carr, Karen Peck & New River, Natalie Grant & Bernie Herms, Nicole C., and Zach Williams. Because He Lives: An Easter Celebration will broadcast worldwide on TBN Thursday, April 1, 2021, at 9:00 p.m. EST / 8:00 p.m. CST with additional broadcasts at 11:00 p.m. EST / 10:00 p.m. CST and Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021, at 4:00 p.m. EST / 3:00 p.m. CST.
Filmed without a live audience, Because He Lives: An Easter Celebration is a production of the Gospel Music Association. The show is produced by Paul Wright and Curtis Stoneberger, who also produced the 51st Annual GMA Dove Awards show, and executive produced by Jackie Patillo and Justin Fratt. The team has assembled a special event featuring Easter-focused performances and messages sure to encourage and inspire.
“The idea for this show was to come together as a music community around the holy time of Easter,” Paul Wright says. “This is a powerful and humbling story, and our artists really focused on those range of emotions in their songs.”
“What better way to honor the resurrection of Jesus than through songs and worship,” GMA President Jackie Patillo says. “And we’re so grateful for our partners TBN, CCLI, and Cantinas Arts Foundation. They really helped make this special event possible.”
For more information on Because He Lives: An Easter Celebration, visit https://gospelmusic.org/
About Gospel Music Association & Foundation:
Founded in 1964, the Gospel Music Association serves as the face and voice for the Gospel/Christian music community and is dedicated to exposing, promoting, and celebrating the Gospel through music of all styles. The GMA produces the GMA Dove Awards, The GMA Hall of Fame Induction and Honors Ceremony, and the IMMERSE Conference. For more information on the GMA, visit www.gospelmusic.org and follow @gmadoveawards on Facebook, Twitter, and @gospelmusicassoc on Instagram.
About TBN:
Trinity Broadcasting Network is the world’s largest and most-watched faith-and-family broadcaster, reaching over 175 nations across the earth with inspirational and entertaining programming 24 hours a day in 14 languages and on 32 global networks. As the world’s most influential non-profit religious broadcaster, TBN has led the way in expanding the impact of faith-based television across the earth through the creation of innovative content designed to reach every viewer demographic with the life-changing message of hope and grace. To find out more about the TBN Networks, visit us at www.tbn.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @tbn.
Nigerian International gospel music minister and prolific songwriter, Dr Tim Godfrey offers up a brand new uplifting song titled “Iyanu a Shele,” featuring Nigerian Iconic gospel powerhouse and songstress, Tope Alabi and general overseer of the Redeemed Christian church of God, Pastor E.A Adeboye (Daddy G.O). Dr. Tim’s latest effort “Iyanu a Shele” is soul-lifting song coming from his forthcoming studio album “Already Won,” a power-packed project available now for pre-order via all major digital outlets. Speaking about the song “Iyanu a Shele”, Dr. Tim shares;
“Iyanu a Shele is a song of declaration, affirmation and prophesy. It is a song that reassures us of the promises of God and his capacity to bring it to pass in our lives. This is your Go to worship for the rest of the year.”
SAMUEL Muraya popularly known us DJ Mo says he is still ‘saved’ despite the cheating scandal to his gospel wife Size 8, that reportedly cost him his job as the resident DJ on NTV gospel show Crossover 101. DJ Mo hit the showbiz headlines in October 2020 after blogger Edgar Obare exposed him for cheating on his wife with a lady identified as Margaret Wanyama.
The lady shared her alleged intimate chats and moments with DJ Mo with the blogger including nudes.
With the scandal trending for close to two weeks attracting all kinds of trolls and public humiliation, DJ Mo’s wife of seven years Size 8 choose to forgive him ensuring their marriage remained intact.
On the other hand, due to the bad publicity brought about by the scandal, DJ Mo lost a number of deals with the most notable one being his slot as resident DJ on Crossover 101 show.
Nonetheless, the popular Disc Jockey maintains he is still in the ways of the Lord while admitting that err is to human and no one is perfect.
“First of all for the records, I am still a born-again Christian. The bloggers and people, in general, can say whatever they feel like whether true or not. But let’s stop the hypocrisy. No one should feel privileged enough to judge the other.” Says DJ Mo.
The DJ’s place on NTV has since been taken up by DJ Sons of Nations who will be co-hosting with Grace Ekirapa on the now rebranded show, Crossover.
Celebrated gospel singer Aline Gahongayire uplifts upcoming blind music star Niyo Bosco real name Bosco Niyokwizerwa by giving him a collabo of the song dubbed ‘Izindi Mbaraga’.The collabo comes following Niyo’s wish back in 2019, when he was asked which artists he wishes to record a song with and he simply replied Aline Gahongayire in a live interview.
According to Aline Gahongayire, the new song gives hope to people facing disheartened situations.
“We aimed at giving hope to people facing hardships in their lives to have faith in God because there will be a good future and a bright day. Niyo Bosco is talented and being blind didn’t stop him from pursuing his dream career, that’s having faith and hope,” says Aline Gahongayire.
The young talented singer Niyo is one of the upcoming artists doing well on music scene with songs like Seka, Ubigenza Ute, Ibanga and Imbabazi. So far, he has managed to win huge fans across the country including established musicians like The Ben and Gahongayire himself through his strong vocals.
According to Niyo, it’s a dream come true working with Aline Gahongayire, who is among his best artists in the music arena.
“She has a good heart, she is very caring with that urge to help others see their dreams come true. I have always wanted to record a song with her and God has made it happen,” he said.
Niyo was born in Nyamasheke district back in 2000 in a family of 8 siblings. In 2006, his family relocated to Kigali city for greener pastures.After senior three, Niyo decided to put a hold on his usual studies and decided to pursue music. The singer is good at playing piano.
Popular Rwandan choir, Ambassadors of Christ, has for the longest time been family for Sarah Sanyu Uwera, one of its lead vocalists. She joined the choir in 2006 as a teenager in high school, and together they have grown in leaps and bounds, to claim accolades and music tours across the region.
“I was overwhelmed by the support I got on my wedding day. I had many people reach out to me on different social media platforms asking why I don’t have any of my songs out yet. That is when I thought ‘why not start a solo career?’ I recorded and released my first solo song on YouTube. I want to see how the message in my songs impacts society,” she says.
The song, ‘Mwana Wanjye’, she shares stemmed from her love for children. In the song, Uwera gives counsel to a child to keep their values.
“My song covers the message a parent wants to give their children. I am a new mother. I recently gave birth to my firstborn so my love for my child gave me the inspiration to write this song. I wrote this song especially for the parents out there who have only the best at heart for their children,” she explains.
In five days, the audio has already garnered over 9,000 views on YouTube with many in the comment section praising the singer on a beautiful song.
“The comments and views I received on my YouTube channel gave me the strength and courage to go on. I realised that the message in my song is bringing a positive influence, as many parents wrote to me expressing their gratitude. I plan on composing more songs that will comprise both Gospel and lifestyle messages.
“I have a lot in store for my fans, I have some songs that are still in the studio that are yet to be released and I will be making a video for my song that I have already released. I will continue to release more songs and make many albums,” she says.
Although as a choir she sings mainly in Kinyarwanda, their songs are loved by many across the region.
“Having a fan base in different countries really humbled me and boosted my confidence that I can be able to communicate with everyone and give my fans what they want.”
As such, the singer assures her fans that even if she succeeds as a solo singer she has no intentions of leaving the choir.
“I am still in the choir and it is safe to say I will never leave it. Being part of the choir doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t showcase your talent so that society can benefit from your talent,” she says.
She adds that as a choir, they travel a lot across East Africa and overseas and seeing the impact their songs have on people keeps them grounded.
“It means a lot to us when we get invites from people all over the world and the reception we get from them. It shows how powerful the message we convey is. We thank God for everything, our progress. It gives us the strength to move on and compose more songs for our fans,” she says.
Most memorable experience
“The most memorable time for me I would say is the 2011 car accident. I was among the survivors of the car crash, but we were deeply saddened by the loss of our friends. We have kept strong, we are a family, stayed together and supported each other.
“I would say being in the choir has been a great help, especially with my singing talent, it has helped me improve day by day,” she says of her experience.”
Favourite songs
“I have many, there is a way we release songs in clusters and with each cluster I have a favourite. I would say my favourite songs for now, are “Nzazana iki?” and “Yesu we”. The reason I love these songs so much is because they are praise songs that express the gratitude people have for God’s works and I have so many praises in my heart,” she says.
Those who knew Gael Tunga Rutembesa as a student at the University of Rwanda in Huye District, currently Huye District, know the kind of person he was. Rutembesa, 34, is a gospel rapper whose music is inspired by his past, including his years at university as a playboy, a drug user, and a drunken young man. But the story behind his switch to gospel music is undoubtedly a lesson for everyone who lives the same life.
The rapper who uses Ga-Yell as his stage name decided to do gospel music to share his life experience and inspire those who might be living the same life he used to live to make them change.
The gospel rapper, 34, told The New Times that he regrets the time lost during his university days before he surrendered his life to God in 2012. “I liked to party a lot, drink, smoke cigarettes, drugs…, weed was the only drug, and sleeping around with girls,” he narrates.
“My university years were the darkest years of my life because I was living a dark life and it was killing me inside. But now I gave it to Christ, it changed my mind, soul renewed and made clean,” he added.
Ga-Yell says nobody advised him to change. It was just a matter of time before he gave his life a new direction.
When he finished university in 2012, he returned to Kigali to start a new life after school, got a job but kept living the same lifestyle while in University, including sleeping with girls with no intention of getting into a relationship because he thought it would spoil his fun.
One day, he got a pregnancy scare and he felt like it was over for him.
“That wasn’t my first pregnancy scare, but that time around, it was different because I thought: ‘if this girl gets pregnant, her school is going to stop for a while. I felt like a roadblock in her life journey, on one hand, and, on the other hand, I really didn’t know how I was going to support her because I was not ready to become a father, especially not someone I was not going to marry,” he recalls.
The situation the rapper was going through reminded him that he could find the right solution through prayer, his rare habit then, as growing up, he merely attended a Catholic Church only on Easter or Christmas.
That time around, however, he went to his room when no one at home, and prayed to God.
“A wave came by and covered me from my head all the way to my toes. In one second I was in total peace and I knew that I was touched by God. Even if I doubted, I could not doubt what happened to me in a second. That moment I knew God told me ‘I forgive you but it’s time to change your life,” he said.
A week later, the girl called Ga-Yell and told him she was not pregnant and, since then, he has been spreading the word of God through music that mostly shares his life’s journey.
“I gave my life to Christ and that was when I realized that my life is for a purpose and my love for music and telling stories inspired me to share what God has done for me in my life. The main reason I do gospel music is to show people that God is real because He is working,” he said.
The journey
Before Ga-Yell switched to Gospel music, he was an underground rapper in secular music.
But after deciding to carry on his career in gospel music, things couldn’t click right away. He had to wait for some time to settle for a new life and figure out how to thrive in an industry dominated by the likes of Israel Mbonyi, Patient Bizimana, and Serge Iyamuremye among others.
“The journey has been up and down. It took me long to experience new styles of music, learning about the music industry,” he said.
In the meantime, Ga-Yell took some time off to build a life with a wife he married in 2018 before returning to the studio, in 2019, consistently investing his time recording songs that comprise of his debut album, ‘What You Got’, which he dropped the same year.
As the first gospel rapper in Rwanda, the name Bright Patrick is not new on Rwanda’s gospel music industry. But ever since the singer departed for Toronto, Canada to pursue further studies in global health, fans haven’t heard any fresh music from him. The rapper, who is now working on a comeback in Canada, spoke to Eddie Nsabimana about his plans for music.
What kept you busy in Canada?
I was in school and right after it took me a while to transition from school to outside life. Also, I was looking for studios to partner with but I was all set in 2019.
What’s it like doing music abroad?
I would say tough, mostly for two reasons: It is expensive and it requires resources, especially when it comes to visuals. Another challenge is the promotion of music, which is even harder when you are away from home and want to market your music locally.
Do you think Rwanda’s gospel music fans have forgotten your skill?
Not really. That used to be my worst fear all those years I was not doing music. However, people (fans) and the media proved me wrong. Fans would slide in my direct messages on social media to let me know how much my music is missed and if I am contemplating releasing new music—stuff like that—and this is still happening even today. So this is my main motivation, and it’s a confirmation that there are people out there who still appreciate my music and need more of it. But the interesting part is that there is a new generation that needs to listen to my music as well, I have to make sure they are served too.
How do you plan to place yourself in the hearts of your music supporters?
I will keep releasing good music and going with trends, musically, and promote my music via local media and different social platforms. I believe that when you try to bring the best out of yourself, God also blesses what you do.
WATCH THE LATEST VIDEO BY BRIGHT PATRICK HERE
Listening to worship songs by fast-rising singer Charles Kagame, one cannot help but appreciate his deep and fervent worship lyrics coupled with soothing melodies.
His newly released song “Amakuru” has already drawn attention from Christian music lovers, making him stand out among other upcoming gospel stars, as the song employs well-driven and biblically centered lyrics.
He began singing in 2006 as part of a junior choir in Karongi district, where he was appointed the choir leader. He was also appointed choir president at his secondary school in Rulindo district, and at the end of 2019, he hit the studio to develop a solo music career.
In an interview with The New Times, Kagame disclosed that the ability to write good songs came as an answer to a vow he made a long time ago. He recalled how someone who heard him singing and advised him to record his songs, something he owed not only to himself but to God as well.
“Many years ago, I had vowed to God, that one time I will write songs that worship my Lord once I have the means, so later on, I realized that I have something I owe God, hence kick-starting my career,” he recalls.
To date, the computer scientist has written five songs after one year of his solo career. Residing in Australia since 2016, the distance from his home country brings with it challenges in terms of connecting with fans and producers of his music, although he tries to put in the effort.
“It is not easy because the production of my music is done in my absentia. So, it gives me a hard time,” she adds. Currently, the 26-year old has more songs in the pipeline, starting with his collabo with renowned gospel singer Aline Gahongayire that will be released in the near future.
Rwanda Gospel is a Rwandan gospel music/ Christian Entertainment website aimed at broadcasting and promoting gospel music and Christian entertainment and values. Rwanda Gospel is a subsidiary of Moriah Entertainment Group. You can reach us via email or phone.
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