The gospel group of worshippers tagged God’s Extraordinary Ministers in Songs (GEMS) has brought a new vigor to the Nigerian gospel music industry. The group, which became more prominent in the early 2020s, has continued to raise the pedestal on each sonic release with their infectious type of songs. With more than five songs released in 2022, the music group continues from where they stopped with their latest sonic offering.
Released on December 16, 2022, “Onye Nwere,” which marks their debut single for the year, is a mash-up of different vibes, energy, and skillful personnel, the array of people involved brought a good energy to the song.
Produced by the maverick music producer, Samuel Jackreece, popularly known as Frontline Sound, who became a sonic scientist on this song as he mixed the up-tempo production with a score of mid-tempo instrumental.
The song, which was inspired by the goodness of God. The literal translation of the chorus “Onye nwere gi nwere mmadu” means who has you (speaking of God) has someone great. In the lyrics, which were sung in Igbo and Pidgin, it connotes that it is a normal thought that for human beings to make it, they have to be connected to influential people, but this song celebrates the grace of being connected to and helped by God. The captivating melodies and rhythm of the song go further to drive that feeling of joy and euphoria that the song seeks to evoke.
Gems are a group of talented singers, yet the impact of Samuel Jackreece as the song producer on this song remains the binding connection in the song. Without the lyrics, the song is easy to listen to, the instrumental is a mix of different genres with Gospel being the core element of the song. The code mixing of Igbo and Pidgin language on this song tends to make it appeal to more than one demographic. The singers mostly repeat whatever they sing in Igbo language in Pidgin, perhaps as a form of emphasis. They understand this strategy so well that it might be hard for anyone to observe this trend.
If this song was released in the early 2000s, it could have been a Makossa sound, on this song, Samuel Jackreece takes the Highlife route as he conjoins the instrumental to form the beat. The Drums remain the most prominent instrument on this song while the guitar tags along. The instrumental aligns, this way, allows the singer’s message of hope, assurance, and love to get easily assimilated by the listeners.
The producer deliberately makes the drum the centre point of his production with a kick, synth, and a bassline following suit. It was arranged in such a way that it can effortlessly stand on its own.
Samuel Jackreece, who has been a producer for more than half a decade, has already made his name known in the music industry. A song like “Onye Nwere,” is an iconic way to prove to the world that he remains revered in the Nigerian music industry.
