The Gospel music industry is building a huge membership with talents emerging from Ghana and abroad. In the USA, a great singer with a marvelous voice by the name; Samuel Christson-Davids aka Sam of Black Heritage Fame; based in Virginia, USA has released an album of Praises entitled; "Saints Maintenance in Praise to the King". The album which offers contemporary songs of Praises and Worship in English and Twi will inspire and melt listeners' hearts when they hear it. The album is a masterpiece and many who have heard about it are rushing to get copies. The album not only lifts one spirit, but it is an album that can be played over and over again without causing one to grow tired .
Ghanaweb/GhanaHomePage (GHP) decided to find out more about the incredible Sam, his great new album and his music ministry; Read on.....
GHP - Where were you born and raised, and where did you receive your education ?
I was born and raised in Accra, Ghana. My father of blessed memory was Nene Acquah of the SUKU Troupe ?if you ever heard of 'Naa Amanua and the Suku Troupe led by Nene Acquah'. Fact is my father was the sole rhythm guitarist for Wulomei Cultural Troupe of the 70's into the 80's and later formed the SUKU Troupe (all traditional folklore groups).
I was educated in Accra, Ghana- attended OSSA, then WASS- West Africa Secondary School and then Accra Academy.
GHP - When did you learn to be a musician and who inspired you to sing?
I grew up listening to my daddy often playing the guitar, singing melodiously at home which I enjoyed so much. Once in a while, he took me out with him to his group's engagements. I found myself being so much attracted to music with my daddy being a major influence. Then there was a group named Tarantula which met for their rehearsals in my previous neighborhood in Laterbiokorshie-Accra, Ghana. I just could not wait for their Saturday rehearsals. Seeing them play live was phenomenal and they were so much of an influence in my life musically speaking. I loved standing on a fence right behind their keyboardist named " Sgt. Pepper" nicknamed I guess by Sgt. Adjavon in whose house they met- this was in the late 70's. I must also mention that growing up, I loved listening to the legend Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, UB 40, ABBA, Shalamar, Lionel Richie and a host of others available then to me. Need to also say that on the local front, I have loved various Ghanaian artiste like Ben Brako, Rex Gyamfi, Lee Doudu, Thomas Frimpong, George Darko, to mention a few ? simply put, I discovered I just loved music once it sounded good.
GHP - How long have you been in the music business? How long were you with Black Heritage? Name some of the artistes you have played with.
The opportunity then came for me to further explore this longing for music in my heart. By the working of God's own will I got born again in 1987 at Calvary Cross Ministries in Accra, Ghana and all I wanted to do was to serve in the music department, playing an instrument-"the bass drum".
After 'A' level at Accra Academy, I scheduled with one of the music teachers on campus and started learning to play the piano but that continued for just about 3-4 months on a thirty minute; twice a week' schedule. I could not continue after the 4 th month because I could not keep up with the payments.
In 1990, I joined the International Central Gospel Church in Accra and by the following year, I was in the youth choir sometimes singing but mainly as one of the youth instrumentalists playing the keyboards. Within 3 to 4years we had the opportunity to join the adult church and to play for the main church.
I was on the keyboard, Reuben Bokor on the drums, Sammy Appiah on Congas and Cecil Anang on the bass- all youth instrumentalists who graduated to playing for the main church- ICGC.
Having stayed and played together for the youth department and also for the main church for sometime, we felt we could form a musical group and that became a reality. We named this group 'Black Heritage'. In 1995 we released our first album 'Here We Are' with hit song 'Peace'. We followed this up with 'Expectations' in 1996. The third album 'Steppin Up' released in 1998, was a project Black Heritage was privileged to be selected to do for Planned Parent Association of Ghana (PPAG) and sponsored by the UNFPA- to educate the youth on morality with our influence as a group.
Black Heritage has embarked on tours and performed in countries like Togo, Zimbabwe, and Namibia and in South Africa.
In South Africa, Black Heritage performed in several churches including a predominantly large white church which hosted Alvin Slaughter of the USA a week before we were hosted in the church.
Black Heritage was one of two groups privileged to curtain raise for Ron Kenoly; USA , when he first visited Ghana in the mid 90's. The group shared the stage with the Daughters of Glorious Jesus, Sussie and Matt, Helena Rabbles, Mary Ghansa, Danny Nettey and a host of other fine artists.
In the year 2000, Black Heritage undertook its second major international tour. For 2 -3 months we performed in many churches and functions moving back and forth between Germany and Holland courtesy Quayson Kay (Holland). By the close of the year 2000 we were in the United States not entering as a group but as individuals living in different states.
GHP - What is the most valuable lesson learned as a singer and who is your spiritual father/mentor?
One valuable lesson I have learned as a musician and a singer which also cuts across is that you do not give up on yourself when God has not given up on you. I have learned and known that God is faithful and if we trust in Him and lean not on our own understanding, He directs our path.
Growing up as a musician, I sat under the tutelage , instructions and pastoral leadership of Rev. Eric Kwapong (then) of the International Central Gospel Church, Accra Ghana and also benefited from the directorship of Eric Beeko- then music director, ICGC Accra, Ghana. I have always looked up to Rev. Eric Kwapong as a mentor and a father when it comes to music as a ministry- his devotion to and passion for excellence in music as a ministry to God has greatly impacted my life.
GHP - About the CD "Praise To The King" Tell me about why you decide to come up with that CD. Is this your first?
"Praise to the King" is my first solo album. I have loved music and been with Black Heritage for about six years and though Black Heritage is inactive for now, my gift, and talent, is not and so I keep writing songs and the songs are not just for me but cooperating with the Holy Spirit, they are to be a shared blessing with the church- hence the need to publish the songs in a recording.
GHP - How long did it take you to produce the CD and who is the Sound Engineer and where is the studio you recorded?
"Praise to the King" had been in the works for close to two years before its release in Nov. 2006. I did the preliminary recordings in my home studio ?'CDavids' Studios, Maryland , USA and sent the project over to Zamunda Studios in Bowie, Maryland, USA where I did the vocals, mixing and mastering. The sound engineer was Blaize Tangelo who also owned the studio.
Tell the readers about the difficulties you endured in producing the CD?
The difficulties I had to endure in this production was having to deal with the inconvenient schedules of availability of the team I had to work with in terms of studio times and availability. All as a result of the way the system lends itself up so tight for everybody. My wife Bertha and I would therefore like to again and again thank Gina, Gifty, Diana, Lola, Ade, and Mercy for staying through- giving of their time, talents, prayers and all kinds of support to make this project a reality.
GHP - Why did you choose the title of the CD and what is the inspiration behind the title or who/what inspired you to come up with the title?
"Praise To The King" is the result of my understanding of God's worth over the years that I have known him- the fact that he is self existing and does not actually need anybody else to be God. The understanding that we are privileged to be called to be in his presence and that He deserves and He is worthy of our praise, inspired the title "Praise To The King" expressing his worth and what is due from us as his creation. Secondly, the title "Praise To The King" is a summation of my testimony in appreciation to God for what he has done in my life, how he "lifted me up from the miry clay and set my feet on a rock to stand". We do not need to be Bill Gates to bless God: when we remember what the Lord has done, counting our blessings and naming them one by one, each one of us should have a testimony on our lips, a song in our mouth, praise should flood our souls giving glory and honor to God Almighty for all he has done for us.
GHP - Explain the inspiration behind track 2; "Praises" and why the reggae beat (sounds like Bob Marley's "Running Away") Were you inspired by Bob Marley?
Track 2 "Praise Him" was one of the tracks, the lyrics of which was inspired by the Holy Spirit in a block of time while I was at work back home in Ghana and I had to pen down the lyrics (from the beginning to the end) under one sitting. I remember I couldn't come out of that urge and inspiration until I was through with the lyrics. Like I mentioned earlier, I grew up loving music and admiring most genres. The legend Bob Marley has been influential to some extent and that might be reflective in Track 2- "Praise Him"
GHP - Listeners will hear a collaboration with your wife - can you say her name and why and how that collaboration occurred??
My wife is Bertha and she loves music too. More than that, she loves the Lord and she's been leading praise and worship in every church we have had the opportunity to serve. Nshira is basically a worship track and Nshira 2, to afford her the opportunity to function in her area creating other dimensions of an atmosphere of worship- this is the purpose of the collaboration on track 11.
GHP - Explain the concept behind tracks, 1, 5, 8 and 9. Why did you choose such titles?
The concept behind tracks 1, 5, 8, and 9 has been an attempt to have an international appeal and attraction in the packaging of the tracks/songs hence more western in style.
GHP - Please give me your exact words of inspiration of track 8 (It's very powerful)
The words of inspiration of track 8 are:
"Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels numbering thousands upon thousands and ten thousand times ten thousands: they encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders: in a loud voice they sang "Worthy is the lamb who was slained to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise: then I heard every creature in heaven and earth and under the earth, and on the sea and all that is in them singing to Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, be praise and honor and glory and power for ever and ever: the four living creatures said Amen and the elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever". Revelations 5:11-14
GHP - Also please give me the exact words of inspiration as sung by your wife in Track 11; "Nhyira 2 " ? (Also Very powerful)
The words of inspiration of track 2 (Nshira II):
"Yebe tonton wu yebe shira wu: yebe som wu konkron mu efise wuye konkron
Ayeyi ni ntrontron ni ndase enka Yehowa: enka wu Nyame: Oo yense den yenkafo wu: yense den yenkafo wu" Nyame ekwan ba a oyi yen boni: Nyame ekwan ba a osa yen yarewa" Nyame ekwan ba a ogye yen efiri ohao mu.
Ooo Hallelujah: all you have made will praise you O Lord: Your saints will exalt you: we will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might so that all men may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom: Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom and your dominion endues through all generations: who may ascend the hills of the Lord and who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and pure heart: Ooo hallelujah yes Jesus we adore you: we adore you: we hail you King Jesus we hail you the glorious Lamb of God. All hail the power of King Jesus: all hail Jesus: the Lamb that was slained: come let's worship Him: bring forth the royal diadem and let's crown Him Lord of all, Lord of all, Lord of all: Christ our redeemer: Christ our Savoir: receive your glory: receive your honor: we give you worship: Isaiah said -I saw the Lord seated on a throne high and exalted and the train of His robe filled the temple: and a heavenly cloud of worshipers surround His throne and we join up with them now crying holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty: the whole earth is full of your glory".
In Twi - "Gye wo ayeyi: Gye wo ntomntrom Gye wo ndaseGye wo nkanfo: Osabarima agya,ei, ye kotowo,: ye tontrom wo: ye shira wo: yen siden nkafo wo: yen siden ndawase: yen akoma bedi ehrusi: efise woye owura: wo na wo adi owuo nne asamanso: Abodi nyinaa beka se woye ohene: wo na wo adi owu nne asamanso nkunim".
Be exalted O God above the heavens and let your glory be over all the earth: bless the Lord O my soul: all my inner most being praise His holy name: bless the Lord O my soul and forget not His benefits: who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases: who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion: hallelujah, hallelujah to my redeemer, hallelujah, hallelujah to my healer, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah to my Lord, hallelujah to my Messiah.
"Ooo Gye wo ayeyi, Gye wo ntomntrom: Osabarima agya, amannyinaa behu se woye Owura: mi nsi den menkanfo wo meYehowa: mi nsiden menkanfo wo ????.
