#HallelujahChallenge

I've been a fan of Nathaniel Bassey's Music since I first heard him minister in Benin City five years ago. I was part of the choir that backed him up during some of his ministrations even though it was our church's show then. Don't bother looking for me in the picture; you won't see me - a black girl wearing black tends to fade behind lead backup singers. LOL. Anyway, I remember being so moved by it that all I could think about was heaven and being as far removed from the troubles of this world. Fast forward to last year during The Experience 11th edition hosted by House on The Rock. Although Nathaniel Bassey was visibly absent, foreign ministers like Micah Stampley and Donnie McCklurkin, couldn't help crooning his songs because they resonated with the vast crowd of believers gathered to worship.

Based on The Experience, it should come as no surprise that Nigerians are currently trending on social media with the one-hour midnight praise for 30 days (also known as the #HallelujahChallenge) initiated by Nathaniel Bassey which commenced on June 1st. But the one thing that seems to be standing out is not just the number or range of people turning up at midnight to sing praises to God for an hour; it is the ripple effect that it's making waves. Such as:

1. The numerous instant miracles and testimonies that began to pour in from people who participated.

2. The multiple mentions on social media (Statistics from Evolve Press: 10,000 posts with the hashtag "#HallelujahChallenge" and over 18,000 with the hashtag "#olowogbogboro") making it highly trendy in Nigerian and now globally with a mention from CNN.

3. The backlash (There is word going around that the movement was attacked on social media by a journalist, and there's been some outrage. But we'll come to that in a bit.)

4. The increasing number of News/blog reviews on the movement.

5. The genuine hunger for people to see God move in our Nation at a time where hate speeches and sectionalisation threatens to harm our national unity.

6. The building of a habit of spending time in praise and worship of the creator which in turn leaves participants spiritually fulfilled and positive minded mentally which is a good thing since the ease of falling into depression seems to be on the rise in the country and worldwide these days.

*This list will most likely increase by the end of the month, so it is not comprehensive.*

This is what I call a dream seed.

When the #HallelujahChallenge publicity started on Instagram, May 31st, I doubt Nathaniel Bassey had any inkling just how intense this would be, even though from one of the numerous pages attached to him, there is talk of how it's a manifestation of God's promise, "If you remember, We declared that THIS MONTH, God would do things in people's lives that will make GLOBAL headlines. Now, this is just a prophetic sign for you all. I repeat, what God is set to do in your lives SHALL MAKE GLOBAL HEADLINES in JESUS' name. Amen.THE OLOWOGBOGBORO himself(JESUS CHRIST) Goes Global." He's had to assign a worship session he missed while in flight in the US for RCCG convention to another worshiper to handle just to keep the momentum going.

This dream of sharing his worship time with the world via live streaming based on an instruction from God was a seed that has grown to touch lots of lives and will continue to do so till the challenge is over. Heck, it will even help build a culture of seeking to praise God among people so disillusioned and sure that God doesn't care for humanity anymore.

Famed Media Personality, Joy Isi Bewaji, tried to jump in on the action by raising another train of thought that should get Christians planning towards doing more than just 'feeling good' after communing with God and got tongue lashed seriously for her seeming insensitivity. Although she had a point, her comments were a bit ill-timed. If it had come at the end of the challenge or maybe if it was written without reference to the #HallelujahChallenge it might have been better welcomed.

The truth is, we all have a dream for a better Nigeria. And one thing our faith in God does is boost our confidence that we are more than capable of achieving it. When we reach out to God in worship, God reaches down to us with revelations and key insights on how we can succeed. And since God needs our praises more than our prayers, he always sends blessings our way through other human beings who make themselves willing vessels for his leading. If anything, a great nation is built by the combined working of all our dreams. If we all acted on our dreams and passions as much as we struggle with the current accepted norm, we would all have a better Nigeria.

Like I said earlier, this challenge is a dream seed. God might be a miracle worker but after the miracle, what next? We've all got to make him proud of us by doing what we know we can to make "His Kingdom Come, and His Will be Done" in Nigeria. Earth is our domain; it's up to us to live up to God's expectation of us which includes being hard working and resourceful to ensure his mandate for humanity is fulfilled.

So join in the #HallelujahChallenge. I know I will tonight. And watch God move beyond our limits to help make our dreams a possibility. When the challenge is over, get up and work like never before to ensure 'His Dream' of Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost for our nation comes true (not joy in our wealth, success or personal pride).

Thank you, Minister Nathaniel Bassey for heeding God's call upon your life and opening the doors of heaven for God's mighty outstretched hands to remind us that we are not alone in our journey on planet Earth.

Sing with Joiy Live!

In Nigeria, especially in Edo State, Benin City to be precise, not everyone has a reason to have a great night out on the town. So you can imagine how delighted people were to see a star-studded program tagged ‘Sing with Joiy’ Live! By my friend, Joy Okobi. It was the combination of music and discussions on the issue of abuse and abandonment of the girl child.

When I first heard musicians such as J’odie, Liora, Big Splash, Dr. Foy. Kemkedis (my friend Mrs Fidelia Uyi), my girl Annivon (Ann Eguavon), my buddy Freon (Barr Frank Ohikhuare); comedians like Efex, Paul and Zina; last but not least, my pastor, Mrs Osamen Arheghan would be performing, I knew it was a musical night not to miss. But beyond the ‘Cause’ and star studded appearances a few behind the scene activities made this program irresistible to me. One of which was the calibre of people working to make this program a success – the likes of the great sound engineer Uzo Nwabudike, Sunny Snares on the Drums, Eze Osisiogu and Kelvin Brave on the guitar, my church Choir members as the backup singers, Philip Asaya and Teajay Chunu (CEO, Imaginit & DOTBOB publishing) as organizers, the list is endless. Also, from the sound check the day before, I couldn’t wait to attend the program. Then there was Joy’s articulate and professional interview published in Vanguard Mobile [http://www.vanguardngr/2012/06/i-like-giving-without-holding-back-joy-okobi] on the 9th of June.

Although I arrived ‘fashionably’ late, I was able to enjoy most of the great performances of the night. The speakers of the day were eloquent and surprising brief, the talk show was partly interactive and the guests on the show included Miss Uniben 2012 (Lillian Unabu), award winning designer for Niger-Delta 2010 Joan Edwards and Dr. Osa Tosan. Turnout was impressive with a few dignitaries in attendance like the representative for the Honorable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Dev. in Edo State, Mrs Comfort and the State Head of Standard organization of Nigeria (SON) Benin Office, Mr Akogun. The audience were so responsive especially when Jodie climbed the stage and sang ‘Under the mango tree’ and her hit single ‘Oh Baby (Kuchi kuchi)’. When Joan Paul & Annivon gave soulful renditions of their songs, the audience erupted in screams. Even when called upon to make contributions for everyday people (Miss Lizzy Onouha & Mrs Ada Peters) doing extra ordinary things through their upcoming NGOs (total Girl International and Success Youth Foundation respectively), the audience were ever supportive.

It was a great event and I had a blast! I hear the next edition of the program would be coming up soon, who knows, it might just be where you live. One of the things that amazed me was that it was pulled together by people that I know personally. Right now I feel so blessed to even be known by such talented individuals and I’m inspired to dare for the seemingly impossible feat because greatness is achieved in essence by ordinary people following their passions. You too can achieve great feats of monumental proportions if you put your heart to it. So go on and Soar.

A BRIEF INTRO TO RAP MUSIC'S ORIGIN

The history of Rap had never been a big deal to me because I always saw it as rhythmic poetry recited to tight beats. Rap is a form of music in the Hip Hop Culture which is a means of self expression which tends to reflect the rapper’s personality. Take the rap styles of Twista and Mase as a case study.

Rap began among the African Americans in the late 70’s and early 80’s where disco was popular. Rap started in the west Bronx of New York by a Jamaican Disk Jockey (DJ) known as Kool Herc. Back then rap was called MC-ing (emceeing). He used to DJ and MC at parties but after a while he left the MC-ing to his friends so he could focus on the complexities of Dj-ing. This blend can be seen in the ‘collabo’ of fresh prince (the MC) and jazzy Jeff (DJ).

In the absence of rap records, people used to gather around at street corners just to listen to MCs or anyone who could ‘spit bars’. This could go on all night. The ultimate aim? To be perceived as ‘def’ by those in attendance. Most of the MCs rhymed on a count of four beats as opposed to the complex patterns of 16 bars we enjoy today. The cheer of the crowd meant that they were ‘tight’ while the ‘boo’ of the crowd meant that they were whack. Back then the DJs used an audio mixer and two identical records to elongate the instrumental or percussion sections of popular songs. Break beats became popular as MCs sought to find new ways of rapping longer.

The MCs would use a microphone to holler at the ‘homies in the joint’. It usually would evoke a response from the crowd.

With time more complicated, already written rhymes where being used. And rappers had to practice the art of showmanship by creating routines that made their rhyming more entertaining. Unlike the crotch grabbing and prancing around rappers of these days do. I reserve my comment on whom. Soon the battle for respect became the focus of the rap content.

Take my advice; watch the movie, Eight Mile. If you look closely, you will notice that it’s the rappers who project the most of the Hip Hop culture.