Ghanaian Gospel musician Bohyeba Joshua may soon be in for trouble as his assertion that the new renditions being made by some colleague musicians are better than the original renditions from years back is already receiving some backlash.
In the past few years, some Ghanaian Gospel musicians have had to apologize for doing their own renditions to old songs without due processes being followed and later begged for out of court settlements but these precedents would not deter others from doing same as Gospel musician Bohyeba Joshua believes there are particular reasons for doing so.
In an interview with www.nydjlive.com, Bohyeba Joshua who has had several renditions to some of the old Gospel songs explained his justification for the assertion was not based on the premise that he had done his own rendition to some of the old songs but because times had changed and there was the need to device new approach to the propagation of the Gospel.
“Indeed, times have changed and it is only right to add a twist to the very old materials we have. That changes nothing. It is all in propagation of the same Gospel”
Adding to the reasons, the artist explained the new renditions gave life back to these old songs, made them more inspirational and powerful although others have critiqued his assertion and called that practice a work of lazy musicians.
Asked what he meant by the latest renditions being powerful than the original songs, the artist referred to Haggai Chapter 2 verse 9 and stated “the glory of the latter house shall be greater than the former” hence the anointing under which the renditions were made were exceptional.
Reacting to recent calls by great Gospel musicians such as Professor Kofi Abraham, Uncle Fiifi, Mr. Osei Boateng, Osenkafo to be original with their content, Bohyeba Joshua explained there was nothing new under the sun hence the need the recent trend.
The Gospel musician whose latest album Onyame Dada which features his own rendition to Yesu Ka Wo ho is currently enjoying massive airplay in the hub of Ghanaian Gospel music, Kumasi explained his assertion is not belittle the old musicians who laid a foundation for them but only point out a fact.
Bohyeba Joshua has four albums to his credit and has had several features with other Ghanaian Gospel musicians including Joshua Blankson, Joseph Mensah, and Monica Fordjour etc.
Do you prefer the new renditions being made by Gospel artists to our known old hymns? If yes, why? If no why?