Of the many new hiplife artistes that were showcased at the recent New York Picnic, the mother of all picnics which featured VIP, one artiste who says he is taking the gospel to the streets was the only Gospel artistes who performed. The said artiste is making a mark in the Christian / Gospel music this year 2006.
The artiste has a success story to share and is a native of both Ghana and Liberia. Steve Kudjoe Kelly is the name and is popularly called by his huge fans as S. Kelly. S. Kelly is becoming one of the most sought after African Holy Hip-hop/R&B Gospel artistes in the world and is not even signed to a major Christian label.
Many church leaders have sung his praises for his talent and his energy of taking the gospel to the streets. It is unprecedented for the Ghanaian Youth hearing Holy Hip-hop/R&B in an era overtaken by Hiplife/Raglife. The days of gospel music becoming boring are over and Steve and a bunch of Gospel artistes are becoming street smart to change the game.
He is an unassuming worship songwriter from Philadelphia whose debut, 'Be Lifted' has scanned over 50,000 units, a relative success in a niche market where listeners have grown more selective. More notable than the album itself however, is his "Jesus coming soon", and "Jump Around for Jesus," a smash hit that was to be performed at the just ended Ghanaian festival New York Picnic.
"VINA, VINA" and "Jump Around for Jesus," will move a whole church to be on its feet and dance. They are ragga/dancehall beats and is for all ages. Coming very soon and will be on S. Kelly's new album packed with many hits and backed by heavy production from an award-winning production crew in USA.
S. Kelly's first time performance at the picnic has brought a lot attention to his unique style of music genre as a great African Holy Hip-hop/R&B GOSPEL Star. S. Kelly has always been celebrated for weaving seemingly disparate musical influences into a seamless fabric thereby creating his own singular style and sound that truly transcends any and all boundaries of genre, race, denomination or societal background.