Gospel music has been popular in the UK and there have been many male gospel singers who have been instrumental in the development of the music. These artists have not only preached the word of God through their music but also influenced change within the body of Christ and the music world at large. Here's an overview of the prominent male gospel singers in the UK:
1. Guvna B
This talented artist, born Isaac Borquaye, is a rapper, author, and broadcaster who performs Christian hip-hop and grime music. Currently based in East London, Guvna B has risen to the top as the inspirational gospel rapper with great lyrics and tempo. His songs are generally based on faith, hope and social issues hence drawing a big following amongst young Christians. Guvna B has been able to clinch many awards such as the MOBO Awards in the category of Best Gospel Act and is still active in the UK Gospel industry.
2. Muyiwa Olarewaju
Muyiwa Olarewaju is a British Nigerian gospel artist, a worshipper, and a radio presenter. He is most famous for his style of gospel music combined with African beats to produce music that has a universal appeal. Additionally, Muyiwa has been intense in the UK gospel scene as the host of “Worship Central” in Premier Christian Radio. His popular albums are “Declaring His Power” and “Restore” with multilingual songs accompanied by traditional African tunes mixed with gospel music.
3. Sonnie Badu
Sonnie Badu is a Ghanaian-born, UK-based gospel musician, humanitarian and worshiper. With strong performances in worship songs and captivating dance moments on stage, has transformed into one of the most easily recognizable African gospel artists in the United Kingdom. Some of his songs are “Baba” and “Wonder God”- he originates his music from the belief in Christ and from African culture. Sonnie Badu is also an influential figure when it comes to social issues and is always in support of several charitable organizations.
4. Andy Piercy
Andy Piercy is a songwriter, singer and producer in the UK Christian music industry, active since the seventies. He was part of the musical band called After the Fire, which was a contemporary Christian music band of the 1980s. Piercy has since grown to be known as a prominent worship leader involved in the shaping of modern christian music. But he is not only active as a singer and composer, he has also done production for other Christian singers, and has been an active participant in different projects.
5. El Mafrex
El Mafrex, whose birth name is Mfreke Obong Ibanga, is a gospel artist from Nigeria who is resident in the United Kingdom. He has come to fame for being a foremost gospel artist with Afrobeat, hip-hop, and Christian contemporary song. Thus, identified with energetic performances and melodic songs, El Mafrex became a well-known personality in the UK gospel industry. He has been awarded several times, such as being the first African gospel artist to be nominated for a MOBO Award.
6. Stormzy
However, despite not being strictly classified as a Christian artist, Stormzy, whose real name is Michael Ebenazer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr., is a British rapper, singer, and songwriter who is known to explore the Christian themes in his music. He is very religious, and he has not been shy about this in his songs, for example in “Blinded By Your Grace.” Stormzy’s influence is not limited to worship and is one of the most influential artists in the modern UK music scene. They have successfully introduced Christian elements into secular songs, making the connection between secular and worship song.
7. Tim Hughes
Tim Hughes is an English worship leader, singer and songwriter who has contributed to the creation of many worship songs. He has penned down “Here I Am To Worship” which is sung in churches all over the world, He is among the key players in the modern worship movement in the United Kingdom and across the world. He has released several albums which he has even ministered as a worship leader at Soul Survivor and Worship Central. Hughes is also the co-founder of Worship Central, a movement that seeks to resource and raise up worship leaders and teams globally.
8. Graham Kendrick
Graham Kendrick has been one of the pioneers of modern worship music in the United Kingdom. Kendrick has been in the music industry for decades, and in this time he penned some of the modern church’s most popular worship songs such as “Shine, Jesus, Shine” and “The Servant King.” Kendrick’s music is prevalent in churches globally due to its theological and lyricism aspects.
9. Martin Smith
Martin Smith is an English singer, songwriter, and musician popularly associated with Delirious? as the lead vocalist. They played an active role in popularizing contemporary Christian music in the 1990s and 2000s. After Deliriously disbanding his band, Smith started working as an independent artist, but was still focusing on writing worship music that would be suitable for the congregation as well as secular listeners. Some of the songs that he has composed include I Could Sing of Your Love Forever and History Maker which are popular with Christians.
10. William McCrea
William McCrea is a gospel singer and politician of Northern Ireland origin. Since he is part of the Democratic Unionist Party, McCrea has had a unique career that involves politics as well as a singer. He has been famous for traditional worship singing though this has not been a major aspect of his ministry. McCrea’s songs contain themes associated with Christianity and his nationality therefore he is highly acclaimed artist from Northern Ireland.
11. Tennessee Ernie Ford
Interestingly, Tennessee Ernie Ford was American but his art was received in the UK especially when he began recording. Arguably, Ford’s voice, characterized by a deep bass, is superb in hymal and spiritual songs such as ‘Peace in the Valley,’ ‘How Great Thou Art,’ and many others. He fused country, folk, and gospel in his songs, meaning that most people could identify with his art.
12. Hank Williams
Another American artist whose songs had an impact on the British audience is Hank Williams, who can be regarded as one of the pioneers of country songs. Nevertheless, some of his gospel songs like “I Saw the Light” and “I’ll Fly Away” have remained relevant in the Christian genre till now. Today, Williams’ songs have been enjoying the appreciation of gospel lovers in the UK and his message remains clear and heartfelt through the words of his songs.
13. Noel Robinson
Noel Robinson is a British gospel musician – singer, songwriter and worship leader with spectacular performances and a deep and resonant voice. Hailing from the United Kingdom, Robinson has made significant impacts in the Christian and worship music industries for over twenty years. His music can be categorized as modern Christian worship music which is supported with Christian and soul music tunes. Robinson is also a popular worshipper, which means he has been performing and leading worshipers in various events and conferences across the globe.
14. Jack Harris
Jack Harris is not so well-known but quite popular in the Christian genre in the United Kingdom. His worship leadership and songwriting abilities have been felt by many in the Christian community. Harris’s songs are love oriented, and the words are accompanied by simple melodies which can be enjoyed by all ages of people.
15. Matt Redman
Matt Redman is currently among the most famous worship leaders and songwriter globally. Redman is from United Kingdom and he has composed many worship songs sung in churches across the world such as ‘10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)’, ‘Blessed Be Your Name.’ He is a popular worship leader with his songs characterized by good theology and sing able melodies and this has made him an important figure in modern worship. As a music artist and producer, Redman has also authored books and featured as a speaker on worship and Christian living.
Conclusion
The gospel music industry in the United Kingdom is well
established, this list of gospel male singers in the UK coming from different
backgrounds are playing a vital role in the expansion of this industry. The latest
generation of worship singers includes Matt Redman and Tim Hughes of modern
worship as well as singers with other genres such as Guvna B and Muyiwa
Olarewaju. It also generates faith through its music as well as
cross-cultural and cross-genre musical exchanges, hence making gospel music in
the UK a growing and diversifying genre.
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