PROMISING GOSPEL singer Irene Ayettey-Boateng, aka Mama Boat, recently launched her maiden album titled Fill Me Now during an impressive ceremony held at the Universal Gospel Center in Dansoman, Accra.

The eight-track album, out on both CD and cassette, features a moving mix of pure worship and mid to upbeat tempo songs designed to exalt the glory of God and offer scriptural exhortation for daily living, useful not only to the contemporary Christian but also to people from all walks of life, regardless of their religious background.

Undoubtedly, the crown jewel of the album is the signature song, Fill Me Now. Performed in English, it has a catchy tune and simple lyrics that make it easy to sing along to but has an added touch of spirituality, making it the perfect choice to liven a worship session at any church service.

Other songs on the album include the up tempo ‘Oguamba’ and ‘Mase A Mete’, which both express the goodness of God and have enough zest to rock the house during praise time. The rest are My Lord, My God, King of Glory, There is Liberty, ‘Bo Mpae’ and reggae inspired ‘Monto Dwom’.

In an in chat with BEATWAVES, Mama Boat explained that she comes from a musical family and began singing at the tender age of nine, first in the Church of Pentecost and later the Temple of Glory Church where she joined the choir.

For her, music has always been a source of solace, thus when she finally decided to go into it professionally it was an easy, almost natural choice to make.

“When my parents divorced, it was tough for me to adjust. Life for the entire family was not easy, even basic necessities such as food, clothing and shelter were difficult to come by for my single mom as she struggled to take care of me and my five siblings.

During these trying times, I escaped the pain by singing, and like Paul and Silas did in prison I found comfort and strength to carry on”, she explained.

On how she is faring as a newbie on the Ghanaian gospel music scene and where she expects to be in the next few years, Mama Boat noted - “The response has so far been quite encouraging and my music is making an impact so I’m excited about the future”.

She said with a smile; “I’m expecting many great things, to grow from grace to grace. My prayer is that my songs will draw anyone who listens to them closer to God”.

Ernest Kwesi Ennin, the CEO of Media Excel, the company that produced Fill Me Now, launched it with a word of encouragement to anyone wishing to venture into the music industry do so without fear because though the sector is choked; “If it is God who has called you to it, you will shine no matter how many people were on the scene before you arrived”.

The first copy of the album was bought for GH¢500. All proceeds from funds raised at the launch will be used to set up an orphanage called the Rescue Center for Orphans, Ghana.

The guest artiste for the occasion was popular gospel musician Opiesie Esther who performed her hit songs ‘Onyame Gya Nko Ho’ and ‘Mente Asee’ among others.