For sometime now the music industry in Ghana has been considered as a failure due to the pitiable status of some musicians, especially the veterans, who are living in abject poverty.
This perception seems to be preventing potential musicians from venturing into the music industry. However, the observation is as unbelievable as Eskimos going to school in T-shirts, and budding artistes today seem not to be distracted in any way. Every now and then, more artistes keep announcing their presence in the industry.
One of such artistes is Rev. Isaac Nana Addo, who is set with his intriguing debut gospel album, ‘Maranatha’. Maranatha is a Hebrew word meaning ‘Yesu bra’ in Akan and ‘Jesus come’ in English.
The album features eight different tracks with good rhythms. Some of the songs are ‘Obeye’, ‘Move on’, ‘Wo ye kesie’, ‘Adom’ and three other tracks including the title-track ‘Yesu bra’.
The album was executively produced by Ebenezer Ampaabeng of GTV, with Nancy of My Life Studio doing most of the recordings.
Lyrics of the songs advise listeners, especially Christians, to call on God in times of need and as well receive His grace by asking Him.
Rev. Isaac said in an interview with Beatwaves that he was inspired by God to record some of the songs, indicating ‘Yesu bra’ as one of such songs.
“As a matter of fact, God gave me this song (Yesu bra). Before recording it, I fasted for 31 days and on the 8th day I heard a large number of people singing the song in my prayers. Later I went to the studio to record it,” said Rev Addo.
The album would be launched in Accra at the Royal House Chapel (Ahenfie) on Sunday October 14. Guest artistes to grace the occasion are Fred Oware Jnr, OJ, Noble Nketia, Sam, Steve and a host of other celebrated gospel artistes.
Though Rev. Addo is making his debut in the music industry, he is not a novice in music. He started eleven years ago, after he was encouraged by Mr. George Osei Attah, president of Adeshie International Band.
In 2002 and 2004 he was a member of a gospel group called God’s Servants and the Gifted Daughters, now Gifted Royals, which came out with two different albums under Goodies Music Production.
Rev Addo, who fellowships with the Empowerment Chapel in Accra, is also the pastor in charge of music in the church. Apart from that, he does fine art also. He works with Contemporary Art Ghana at the Dubois Center.
He told Beatwaves that though money played a vital role in music he joined the industry because “I fell in love with music.”