Music of Saturday, 17 July 2004

Source: ghanamusic.com

Gospel Videos Should Reflect Messages

The way some gospel musicians dress and style their hair in their video clips leaves much to be desired.

Videos clips are supposed to promote songs by giving an identity and helping to leave a lasting impression on the minds of listeners. It is sad, however, to realise that some musicians, particularly gospel musicians, are changing the focus. Gospel musicians are at the centre of my concern because of the name they bear, followers of Jesus Christ.

It is common these days to see a musician in one video clip in five different attires and hairstyles, just singing and dancing. Nobody is saying that gospel musicians should not look good but, as the saying goes, too much of everything is bad.

It is great concern, because people?s attention are drawn towards the dressing rather than the song. The interest is in looking at the dressing that has taken over the screen. This state of affairs is creating discontentment in the hearts of many gospel music lovers and Christians alike.

This discontentment is well placed because of the name musicians carry as stated earlier. Gospel music is a form of evangelism ? preaching the good news about Jesus Christ. Therefore, the musicians? way of doing things should be not confirmed to the patterns of this world. Their songs should also be backed by lifestyles, especially the way of dressing, that are worthy of emulations.

It would not be surprising if musicians, as well as video directors, throw their hands in the air and say, ?It is creativity.? Yes, it is good to be creative, but creativity, it should be borne in mind, does not kill the impact of the work. When that happens, the work does not elicit the desired results.

Video clips, in short, should reflect the words or messages of the song.