UK-based Ghanaian Afro-Gospel artist, Joseph Matthew, also known as JM, has challenged the notion that Ghanaian gospel musicians must sing in English to attain global recognition.
This response comes in the wake of remarks by Nigerian gospel singer Nathaniel Bassey, who suggested that Ghanaian gospel music could achieve international success by incorporating more English lyrics.
Bassey encouraged Ghanaian gospel artists to compose songs in English, asserting that the world needed to hear their music and envisioning a future where Ghanaian Psalmists would host concerts in Nigeria.
In his words, “As a way of instruction, can I plead with Ghanaian music ministers to write songs in English? Yes, I know you love your local dialect, Twi, but there is an anointing on you and the world needs to hear your songs.”
Disagreeing with this perspective, JM, shared a video on his Instagram page on Monday, December 11, arguing that language should not be a hindrance to spreading God's message through music.
Jospeh Matthew asserts that the potency of gospel music extends beyond language boundaries, resonating with individuals from diverse backgrounds. He promotes a natural evolution to foster the expansion of Ghanaian gospel music, aiming for a wider audience. The artist underscores that success should derive from the inherent strength of the music itself rather than attempts at linguistic manipulation.
In a bold statement, JM dismisses the notion that language alone is the key to global success and asserts that an effective strategy involves building the right network and employing promotional efforts.
“Any Ghanaian supporting Nathaniel Bassey’s comments is ignorant. To go global, you need infrastructures. You need resources. You need money. If you don’t have money, which is what Africa in general is struggling with, we don’t have the resources We don’t have the infrastructures. How are you going to go global?” he quizzed.
JM delved deeper into the importance of infrastructures, resources, and financial support in achieving global recognition, citing notable examples of successful global artists such as Michael Jackson and Burna Boy.
“The people that are going global are the people with the resources behind. Michael Jackson was Michael Jackson. Not because he spoke in English. Michael Jackson was Michael Jackson because he’s Michael Jackson. Because he has Sony records behind him. Burna Boy is doing it globally because he has his record labels behind him. That’s what you need. Those giants, the powerhouses behind you. That’s what makes you go global,” he added.
