Publication Date: 19 JUNE 2008
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GO TO PART 2: SPOKEN WORD
Remember when your entire contemporary gospel
music collection was a narrow, watered-down version
of 'proper' stuff...?
Well, things have changed a bit since then...
music collection was a narrow, watered-down version
of 'proper' stuff...?
Well, things have changed a bit since then...
FUTURE FLAVA
I'll start by making a few things clear from the off:
- I LOVE what the Americans have done for the progression of the
modern gospel sound. I say that because I have been accused of a
somewhat anti-American stance in the past
- Next: I'm also not suggesting that because the music we create is based on the gospel, its quality is intrinsically superior to non-Christian music. If anything, the converse is typically the case. Be honest: deep down inside you probably agree with me...
- I also haven't got much time for the 'UK-vs-US-who-is-better...?' arguments either.
With all due respect to all concerned, a large number of the reasons/complaints/gripes on offer are ill-informed, presented against a background of skewed measurements and wholly unnecessary hype: 'when will UK artists start selling as many CDs as the Americans do...?' Do your homework. The answer ain't that hard to come by...
- I LOVE what the Americans have done for the progression of the
modern gospel sound. I say that because I have been accused of a
somewhat anti-American stance in the past
- Next: I'm also not suggesting that because the music we create is based on the gospel, its quality is intrinsically superior to non-Christian music. If anything, the converse is typically the case. Be honest: deep down inside you probably agree with me...
- I also haven't got much time for the 'UK-vs-US-who-is-better...?' arguments either.
With all due respect to all concerned, a large number of the reasons/complaints/gripes on offer are ill-informed, presented against a background of skewed measurements and wholly unnecessary hype: 'when will UK artists start selling as many CDs as the Americans do...?' Do your homework. The answer ain't that hard to come by...
...pushing the envelope
In this new series YINKA AWOJOBI speaks
to the people attempting to expand - and maybe even
redefine - contemporary UK gospel music...
redefine - contemporary UK gospel music...
VICTIZZLE
KEEPING GOING...
My thing is this: have you ever wondered how - in an industry where up to 95% of the participants are independent and part-time - how in the world we still keep going...?
How (or maybe that should be 'why') do we keep creating this vibrant,
close-to-the-street wall of sound that springboards from Christian
liturgy and unreservedly meshes with the sound of the boroughs and
post codes all across the UK...?
Consider this example: while US Hip-hop has to constantly justify its existence against the backdrop of the 'TRUTH BEHIND HIP-HOP' movement (some of that is even echoed on these shores), we're sustaining a vibrant scene, suitably open enough to engage with House, Grime, Garage, Spoken Word, Drum n Bass and Broken Beat as part of our gospel music mainstream. Yes: MAINSTREAM.
Thankfully the UK the contemporary gospel music scene isn't confined to the margins.
I'd even argue that - right at this point in our history - the contemporary scene IS the UK gospel scene.
How (or maybe that should be 'why') do we keep creating this vibrant,
close-to-the-street wall of sound that springboards from Christian
liturgy and unreservedly meshes with the sound of the boroughs and
post codes all across the UK...?
Consider this example: while US Hip-hop has to constantly justify its existence against the backdrop of the 'TRUTH BEHIND HIP-HOP' movement (some of that is even echoed on these shores), we're sustaining a vibrant scene, suitably open enough to engage with House, Grime, Garage, Spoken Word, Drum n Bass and Broken Beat as part of our gospel music mainstream. Yes: MAINSTREAM.
Thankfully the UK the contemporary gospel music scene isn't confined to the margins.
I'd even argue that - right at this point in our history - the contemporary scene IS the UK gospel scene.
MAINSTREAM = CONTEMPORARY
As anyone in the know will tell you, the US mainstream - and its crucial financial engine - is pretty much
driven by traditional gospel music - and KIRK
FRANKLIN.
OK, that KIRK part was a joke - but you get the idea...
Over here, as more people than ever before experiment with new sounds and music styles, you can be sure that one of the last things on their minds will be criticism regarding the acceptability (or otherwise) of their music genre of choice.
Consider this too: you're more likely to hear a wider range of music genres on a typical gospel music show anywhere in the UK, moreso than you would in the US. That's got to be worth celebrating...
driven by traditional gospel music - and KIRK
FRANKLIN.
OK, that KIRK part was a joke - but you get the idea...
Over here, as more people than ever before experiment with new sounds and music styles, you can be sure that one of the last things on their minds will be criticism regarding the acceptability (or otherwise) of their music genre of choice.
Consider this too: you're more likely to hear a wider range of music genres on a typical gospel music show anywhere in the UK, moreso than you would in the US. That's got to be worth celebrating...
NEXT...?
So what's the next sound of UK gospel music...?
Well, I don't exactly know the answer to that, but it's sure gonna be fun poking around these creatives' heads to find out...
I'll end by repeating: this isn't a dig at the US scene. I don't know enough about Elder G CRAIGE LEWIS to have a firm opinion about THE TRUTH ABOUT HIP-HOP movement.
A quick (very quick) look at the 'Vision' section of his website makes a point I agree with:
...Besides, I'm certainly looking forward to the day when we have a comparable financial gospel music industry infrastructure here in the UK.
Well, I don't exactly know the answer to that, but it's sure gonna be fun poking around these creatives' heads to find out...
I'll end by repeating: this isn't a dig at the US scene. I don't know enough about Elder G CRAIGE LEWIS to have a firm opinion about THE TRUTH ABOUT HIP-HOP movement.
A quick (very quick) look at the 'Vision' section of his website makes a point I agree with:
...Besides, I'm certainly looking forward to the day when we have a comparable financial gospel music industry infrastructure here in the UK.
'Don't misunderstand me, there is nothing wrong with bangin' beats and
hype music ... as long as the message is in line with God and his word.
hype music ... as long as the message is in line with God and his word.
But taking music and phrases that was once sinful and explicit music
and adding it to God's music is not supported in the scripture...'
and adding it to God's music is not supported in the scripture...'
So, with that said, welcome to my little celebration of how we do what we do. This is going to run for a while boys and girls, because I'm a huge fan of a whole bunch of people who do music in a whole bunch of ways...
I'm kicking off by focusing on producers that dabble both in the centre and on the fringes of the contemporary sound: the obvious RnB, Hip-hop and Garage/Grime, as well as checking out people experimenting in Electro, Pop, Pure Soul and stuff...
Feel free to nominate people you feel are deserving - let's see if we can get them on as part of the series...
Yinka Awojobi
Content Development
UKGospel.com
I'm kicking off by focusing on producers that dabble both in the centre and on the fringes of the contemporary sound: the obvious RnB, Hip-hop and Garage/Grime, as well as checking out people experimenting in Electro, Pop, Pure Soul and stuff...
Feel free to nominate people you feel are deserving - let's see if we can get them on as part of the series...
Yinka Awojobi
Content Development
UKGospel.com
VICTIZZLE.
I can't remember exactly when I first came across VICTIZZLE's
music, but I'm fairly sure it was his debut single JAM YOURSELF
that blew me (and, I suspect, an entire generation of people)
completely away, proudly announcing the another phase of a
distinctly UK gospel sound, straight off the street.
music, but I'm fairly sure it was his debut single JAM YOURSELF
that blew me (and, I suspect, an entire generation of people)
completely away, proudly announcing the another phase of a
distinctly UK gospel sound, straight off the street.
Independent street music in the UK typically sports a hard edge.
Simple structures and hooky melodies are common, and most of
the players on the scene come into it from a bedroom or small-
studio/computer music background, and usually don't possess
much formal music training. But that's rarely been a barrier.
Simple structures and hooky melodies are common, and most of
the players on the scene come into it from a bedroom or small-
studio/computer music background, and usually don't possess
much formal music training. But that's rarely been a barrier.
Like many of the current generation of young producers learning
their trade, VICTIZZLE is based at home, 'making beats since I was 13...', (his partly autobiographical track WELCOME TO MYSPACE explains...)
He'll be 19 this year, and if you've only the most remote interest in the UK scene, you're almost guaranteed to know a VICTIZZLE song: in addition to the genuine anthem that is 'JAM YOURSELF', he also produced the equally devastating (if that's the right word), massively popular 'BIBLES, BIBLES' for SIMPLY ANDY, the crossover/highly radio friendly 'LOOKING OUT OF THE WINDOW' for GUVNA B, and many of the tracks on the MOBO award-winning G FORCE's album (including one of my favourites of last year, 'GOD'S BIGGER THAN')...
It wasn't difficult for me to become a fan.
Declarations of innovation and versatility are much-abused concepts in music creativity. It's a press pack and bio regular, and almost every artist declaring possession of the traits rarely has as much as they think they do.
their trade, VICTIZZLE is based at home, 'making beats since I was 13...', (his partly autobiographical track WELCOME TO MYSPACE explains...)
He'll be 19 this year, and if you've only the most remote interest in the UK scene, you're almost guaranteed to know a VICTIZZLE song: in addition to the genuine anthem that is 'JAM YOURSELF', he also produced the equally devastating (if that's the right word), massively popular 'BIBLES, BIBLES' for SIMPLY ANDY, the crossover/highly radio friendly 'LOOKING OUT OF THE WINDOW' for GUVNA B, and many of the tracks on the MOBO award-winning G FORCE's album (including one of my favourites of last year, 'GOD'S BIGGER THAN')...
It wasn't difficult for me to become a fan.
Declarations of innovation and versatility are much-abused concepts in music creativity. It's a press pack and bio regular, and almost every artist declaring possession of the traits rarely has as much as they think they do.
THE REAL THING...
Interestingly it's usually the people that rarely blow their trumpet too loud that are worth looking out for: put VICTIZZLE on that list.
The evolution of VICTIZZLE's music over recent months suggest he is a conscientious student of study, research and application. His sound is easily identifiable, but sufficiently varied enough to bring new things to the frequently predictable grassroots gospel scene.
While TAYO CRUZ and WILEY currently raid the national pop charts with a
(relatively) new, electro-charged Urban sound (in 'COME ON GIRL' and
'WEARING MY ROLEX' respectively), VICTIZZLE started down the same
route a while ago, affirming the fact that the development of Urban UK
gospel music is undoubtedly locked in step with trends in the mainstream.
He explains the evolution of the style: '...Music became so boring due to lack of creativity and a fear of being different. I listen to albums and I only usually hear one or two tracks that I like, but the rest of it would be boring...
The evolution of VICTIZZLE's music over recent months suggest he is a conscientious student of study, research and application. His sound is easily identifiable, but sufficiently varied enough to bring new things to the frequently predictable grassroots gospel scene.
While TAYO CRUZ and WILEY currently raid the national pop charts with a
(relatively) new, electro-charged Urban sound (in 'COME ON GIRL' and
'WEARING MY ROLEX' respectively), VICTIZZLE started down the same
route a while ago, affirming the fact that the development of Urban UK
gospel music is undoubtedly locked in step with trends in the mainstream.
He explains the evolution of the style: '...Music became so boring due to lack of creativity and a fear of being different. I listen to albums and I only usually hear one or two tracks that I like, but the rest of it would be boring...
WILEY: charting with 'Rolex'
'...Where are the albums that have EVERY song being a HIT song??...'
'I figured it was time for a change. Instead of complaining about it, I decided to act on it. That's why I've been laying low for such a long time. I've been working on and developing this particular new signature sound that people will recognise me by without me even having to speak on the track!!!
This sound is gonna get into all the clubs in UK and in Europe, by God's grace alone...'
Call me jaded (and far be it for me to pour cold water on anyone's enthusiasm) but I hear this thrown around a great deal. Pretty much on every bio going, in fact.
However, I do take VICTIZZLE seriously. His track record speaks for itself.
In addition to his credible street sound, the guy brings something we've been missing back to the scene: a sense of cheerful abandon, and the fun (and ultimately, more widely accessible) part of Christian living.
'I figured it was time for a change. Instead of complaining about it, I decided to act on it. That's why I've been laying low for such a long time. I've been working on and developing this particular new signature sound that people will recognise me by without me even having to speak on the track!!!
This sound is gonna get into all the clubs in UK and in Europe, by God's grace alone...'
Call me jaded (and far be it for me to pour cold water on anyone's enthusiasm) but I hear this thrown around a great deal. Pretty much on every bio going, in fact.
However, I do take VICTIZZLE seriously. His track record speaks for itself.
In addition to his credible street sound, the guy brings something we've been missing back to the scene: a sense of cheerful abandon, and the fun (and ultimately, more widely accessible) part of Christian living.
BRING ON THE FUN...
Additionally, both his music and lyrics have great 'outside church' potential. The following comes from the from the upcoming single 'I PRAY':
Doesn't matter what faith (or no faith) you have, you're gonna be able to relate to that sentiment...
And while the sound is undoubtedly still evolving, the broad appeal has been thorughly road-tested: any one of the aforementioned songs are crowd-movers. Check out the live performances of pretty much any of the songs on YouTube or MySpace...
Doesn't matter what faith (or no faith) you have, you're gonna be able to relate to that sentiment...
And while the sound is undoubtedly still evolving, the broad appeal has been thorughly road-tested: any one of the aforementioned songs are crowd-movers. Check out the live performances of pretty much any of the songs on YouTube or MySpace...
'...Lord I pray for the woman who is blaming you
Cause she had three sons now she's down to two...'
Cause she had three sons now she's down to two...'
BRINGING OUT THE BEST FROM THE BEST...
There's obviously something about VICTIZZLE that brings out the best the the people he works with - and vice versa.
And he's not hung up on definitions either: 'I don't really wanna label this sound at all.
I'd rather let the music speak for itself and allow the listeners to define it. But if anything it's CLUB music', he says with a smile...
And music styles...?
'I've always loved RnB. That's always been my number one favourite music. But as I stated before music in general was becoming boring for me, so I decided to get into other styles, particularly Pop, Indie and Rock style as well...
I've also been listening to and studying African music - I've discovered this to be the best music in the WORLD!!!
And he's not hung up on definitions either: 'I don't really wanna label this sound at all.
I'd rather let the music speak for itself and allow the listeners to define it. But if anything it's CLUB music', he says with a smile...
And music styles...?
'I've always loved RnB. That's always been my number one favourite music. But as I stated before music in general was becoming boring for me, so I decided to get into other styles, particularly Pop, Indie and Rock style as well...
I've also been listening to and studying African music - I've discovered this to be the best music in the WORLD!!!
INFLUENCES...
NEXT >
