By
John Vianney Nsimbe
WEEKLY OBSERVER
So, can the euphoria surrounding Kirk Franklin’s
coming to perform in Uganda bring good tidings to Uganda’s
gospel musicians?
Ugandans love him and seem to go bonkers when his songs
are played.
Humphrey Kiyingi (Hum Kay), a Gospel musician, preacher
and lecturer at Makerere University, told The Weekly Observer:
“This is the most opportune moment for us to break
through. This guy is the best around and it would be ideal
if we interacted with him one-on-one to find out how he
has succeeded.”
Hum Kay added that if there was a chance that he could hold
a simple workshop, say, for an hour telling of his experience
and programmes, then the local gospel musicians would know
which direction to take.
It was considered impossible for a gospel song to be popular
among Christians and non-believers alike. Franklin defied
that with his Stomp. Many danced to the hit in nightclubs,
only to hear the ‘hallelujah’ and ‘oh
I love you Jesus’ in between lines.
Brian Ourien, a gospel music enthusiast, told The Weekly
Observer: “I attended Kirk’s concert in Nairobi
but it blew me away. He is an emotional entertainer who
shows that gospel shouldn’t be boring. He has made
gospel music pretty cool and an up-market thing where his
albums aren’t necessarily cheap but sell like hot-cakes
in America.”
Ourien stressed that the musicians must be there at the
concerts.
Nick Nyombi, the director of Victory Gospel Awards (VIGA),
told The Weekly Observer that he has encouraged musicians
to attend the show for their self-actualisation. “Interacting
with him would mean a lot in enriching our industry too,
but I don’t know if that will be possible since we
are not the organisers.”
Joseph Walugembe, the Director of National Theatre, said:
“When you host such performers, use them to the best.
But at times because of their managers and contractual obligations,
they may not be readily available to share their gifts.
Yet, it’s people like Franklin that can guide a growing
gospel industry like Uganda’s.”
Ugandan gospel music still suffers from quality deficiencies.
Father Anthony Musaala says: “Franklin has shown that
gospel music can be world class. We must learn how he does
it.”
Many Ugandans unfortunately think gospel music should be
a free thing.
It could be a little far-fetched but Walugembe says collaborations
with some local gospel musicians is something that can benefit
Uganda’s budding gospel industry in the long-run.
In 1993, Kirk Franklin released his debut album, Kirk Franklin
& The Family. It spent almost two years on the gospel
charts, also charted on the R&B charts (very rare for
a gospel artist), and went platinum. It stayed at number
1 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart for 42 weeks,
into 1995.
It was also the first gospel music album to sell over a
million units. The group released its sophomore release
Whatcha Lookin’ 4 in ‘1995.
The album was hugely successful, certified two times platinum
and earned Kirk his first Grammy award for Best Contemporary
Soul Gospel album.
In 1997 the lead single, “Stomp”, featuring
Cheryl “Salt” James (of Salt-n-Pepa), was a
huge hit, enjoying heavy rotation on MTV and other music
channels, charting at number 1 on the R&B Singles Airplay
chart for 2 weeks, and even making it in to the Top 40.
God’s Property from Kirk Franklin’s Nu Nation
was number 1 on the R&B Albums chart for 5 weeks, number
3 on the Pop charts, and would go on to be certified three
times platinum. It also brought Franklin another Grammy
for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album as well as three
Grammy nominations.
Kirk Franklin escaped the shackles of a poor background
growing up when his mother deserted him, indiscipline in
school and a pornography addiction in marriage to become
a prodigy in the industry.
Courtesy of Uganda Telecom, he performs tonight at the Serena
hotel in a VIP show and will have a family show at Lugogo
Cricket Oval on Saturday.
jovi@ugandaobserver.com
|