The Vim Views & Versions - Blogs of a MIghTy African

In line with listening to more gospel music in general in 2024, I tuned in to Trace Gospel on Sunday, September 15, 2024. They played a long list of Joe Mettle songs. Great stuff. Great gospel music. Inspirational inside. Positivity. It made me think about gospel songs that especially have positive vibes, and vim. Just like the other #MusicWeDeyFeel   Starting Eleven , I have formed another team. This time, let's play the common winning formation, 4-3-3.  Lean On Me (1998) Kirk Franklin (USA) Goalkeeper, Number 1 I am here. You don't have to worry. I can see. I can see your tears. Your tears. I'll be there in a hurry when you call. Yes I will. Friends are there to catch you when you fall. Here's my shoulder. Here's my shoulder, you can lean on me We need a very reliable goalkeeper to lean on. I really love the  movie of the same name . Yes, the one with Morgan Freeman. The man many says is God in the movies. I had seen this movie on TV in Ghana. Miraculous saves....

I am a child of God (I really believe that based on the love He has shown me all these years). I am a Christian. I am a Catholic. I grew up in the Our Lady of Holy Rosary Catholic Church - KNUST Catholic  in Kumasi. I had my first communion there after years of Sunday School and my confirmation. In Ghana, church going is a major thing for Christians. It is part of society, it is part of social life, in fact, it is a place for networking. It is a place for learning, for catching up on the gospel and with each other. I have not only lived in Ghana though and that is where the crux of this blog post comes up from. 1 Saturday in 2024, I was on the Konnect Kouch for Sunyani Konnect thanks to the proactiveness of Wilhemina Nunu . I was asked some questions about (my) religion. My answers drove me to do this blog post.  The  Konnect Kouch  is a version of hot seat  in Konnect Groups for its members. These Konnect Groups are WhatsApp Groups run by or in conjuncation wit...

I spent the weekend of August 16, 2024 with my sister's family in Amasaman. I blogged the start and the finish in this blog post . On Sunday, August 18, 2024, I followed my sister, and her husband and kids to church in my church attire. No, I was not wearing a Gigi from Wear Ghana. Her husband, Samuel, is a pastor. This is the Adonai Grace Hub Church in Amasaman.  It was great being at church. Various family members have been encouraging me to go to church more, especially the women. I'm a Catholic. I am a registered member of the Christ The King Parish in Accra, though I do not go as much. St John the Evangelist Catholic Church is close to where I live in Accra, and this is where my first son, Ebo, and many of his cousins were baptised. On this particular Sunday at the Adonai Grace Hub , we talked about faith, hope and love. We must share testimonies about great moments, and the few low moments and making sure there are many more great moments to come. The first reading was ...

On Friday, August 16, 2024 , I went to drop off a family friend, Sheila , at her place in Dansoman after having dinner in Osu. She did her Masters' degree in India (a country I would love to visit). She told me a lot about India which was consistent with what I have heard. She also mentioned how Christians were a minority there ( Hello Captain Obvious ) and how she engaged in her religion while in India. This blog post is about what happened after I dropped her off, it is about religion. My religion is  Christianity . 😇It's the most popular religion in Ghana , where I am from, was bred, live and care a lot about. While trying to navigate from Dansoman to go visit my sister's family in Amasaman, I decided to give some free rides like I normally do. I stopped at a bus stop somehwere in DC, mind you, I do not know Dansoman well, at all! I spoke to 2 ladies and a guy who seemed to be waiting for a trotro and asked them where they are going and if I could give them a ride. I t...

I have sang in a choir in my life, the Clerk House choir at Presec . I am not a great singer, I do sing tenor though. I did enough to get into the choir. One of the best all-time choirs - worldwide - is the Soweto Gospel Choir . Don't believe me? Ask the Grammys. Their albums Blessed, African Spirit and Freedom won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional World Music Album in 2006, 2007 and 2019, respectively. They have even been nominated for Oscars and Golden Globes.  I was first introduced to this choir by some Southern African friends while in MIT . Their music features heavily on my Sundays - including this blessed one.  African Dream - 2005 What is the African Dream ? The conversation has been had in some circles, but not quite discussed, decided and disseminated. Listen to the song, if you get lost in the voices and melodies, listen to it a couple more times.  I have tweeted about this several times, including the text below ( twice as nice ). "Cos in my African d...

I've grown up Catholic , and I still am. Along the way, I have just been a church-goer, very religious, and now I hardly go to church. I am a Christian , I still am. Gospel music is a constant if you are a Christian. No? Really? I can't think far, otherwise. There are lots of gospel music songs I like, have sang in church, in the shower (yes, there too) and many places. But though I am very very attached to Ghana and Africa - some of my favorite gospel songs - or inspirational music - or #whatchumacallit - comes from an American - Kirk Franklin . Kirk Franklin's music for me touches on the positivity I always think and be about, and the spirit of volunteerism, helping people, etc. Yes, let's #volunteeringh .  Lean On Me - 1998 It started with Lean On Me. I really love the movie of the same name . Yes, the one with Morgan Freeman. The man many says is God in the movies. I had seen this movie on TV in Ghana. Back to godly music. I don't know the Bible much anymore...

I have been a lazy blogger for many years. Especially after posting 233 blog posts in 2013. After my mum transitioned on on June 6, 2022, I told myself I needed to write a book. I'd get back to the book bit later. I promised to write lots of blog posts in 2023 too. It has not gone too well until now.  I (feel I) have a special relationship with music . It is what led me to Museke . As 2023 ends and I hit 40 years of age, I would like to share some of my all-time favorite music. I was going to do one blog post about some all-time favorite songs and how they impact me. I realised the number of songs were increasing as I thought about them. I also realized some of the same musicians were making these songs, and their songs have special places in my heart, head and body , etc for different reasons.  So I present to you the starting eleven of artistes who make music I dey feel waa.  In order of when they started making impact on me.  The years might not be 100% correc...

Today, I went to church. For the first time in a long time. In fact, I went to a Catholic service in the US for the first time in the longest time. I feel good, still do. I have my favorite African gospel songs iTunes playlist playing. Right now. I already talked about the power of gospel music and you can see my 10 favorite African gospel songs list here. Church services in the US are more mellow and boring compared to those back home and the difference is really in the singing, dancing and 'Kofi & Ama' collections. Ghana is a religious country, the names of various small businesses would confirm that. Our whole religious culture is somewhat superficial but that's for another entry. For now, let's appreciate the beauty of gospel music. Before that, you have to check out my favorite Ghanaian songs , 10 favorite songs from Kenya , 10 favorite songs from South Africa , my 10 favorite Nigerian songs and 10 African songs I think you should know about. Hope you disco...

Aside the praise and worship that comes from gospel music, this genre uplifts spirits and encourages people to do better. I have not been a regular to church and having music like this keeps me renewed and thoughtful of what is expected of me as a Christian. It helps make sure I don't do the religious thing on Sunday only. When I say I am too blessed to be stressed, these are the kind of songs that provide the soundtrack. Which other genre should come first as I switch from regions to genres in my ongoing lists of African music? In this African gospel song list, I will leave out Ghanaian songs, will list my favorite gospel songs from Ghana later. Before that, you have to check out my 10 favorite songs from Kenya , 10 favorite songs from South Africa , my 10 favorite Nigerian songs and 10 African songs I think you should know about. Hope you discover your next favorite morning song or find a new jam for your church's next "Kofi and Ama" collection. Click the songs to...