Music of Wednesday, 4 April 2012

Source: Paul Azumah-Ayitey

Nii Okai’s Holy Writings Concerts Begin April 8

Ghanaian gospel artiste and worship missionary, Nii Okai, has finally lifted the lid off what has been cooking in his creative pot for a while now that has generated lots of buzz across social media and gospel circles. The artiste was tight-lipped on the details of what he calls ‘Holy Writings’, his fourth solo studio album, since the beginning of this year but recently gave clues to what fans should expect with the preview of some tracks on the album on radio much to the delight of listeners. Currently, the mass media is catching up with the hype for the album, its release and other packages to be associated with it.

‘Holy Writings’ was launched via a private event on Sunday 1st April and is Nii Okai’s fourth solo album. It contains a rich mix of anointed and creative songs covering diverse music genres with powerful and touching messages. The album has taken Nii Okai about two years of preparation and a year of recording after the release of his third album, ‘Hymns Unlimited’, which is a contemporary rendition of 22 hymns and a canticle, in 2010. ‘Holy Writings’ has the signature of gospel music’s iconic producer and minister, Kofi Dua Anto (KODA), in charge of production with a stylish blend of the best musicians on some of the tracks and has something in there for everyone from the elderly to young folks.

Speaking to this writer in a short interview, Nii Okai was very excited about his new project and can just not wait to share with the world the powerful ‘presence’ the album carries. ‘I have been working on this for a while now and finally it’s here and ready; 15 new tracks with each to serve a particular purpose. I am just elated at the opportunity given me to share something so powerful and creative to the world to bless lives. After this launch today on Palm Sunday and starting from coming Sunday (8th April) and then every other Sunday in April we will have a celebration concert at a particular venue in Accra. Thereafter we will move outside the capital to reach out to one region after the other. Everyone should look out of something big to happen starting 8th April and continue to pray with the entire team. God has something special in ‘Holy Writings’ for everyone,’ Nii disclosed.

Nii Okai’s highly anticipated fourth album ‘Holy Writings’ was launched over the weekend at a private ceremony amidst pomp and pageantry bringing together the big names within the gospel circles, industry, media and colleagues in ministry. The event celebrated the artistes for his creativity, selfless contribution in grooming young people and prolificacy in churning out timely music while his new piece was given a befitting launch. The celebration does not end there as a festival Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs throughout the month of April will out-door the album to fans and music lovers courtesy a concert every Sunday at four venues in Accra. Tesano Baptist Church will first to host the festival on Easter Sunady, April 8, then ICGC Holy Ghost Temple in Frafraha on April 15, Covenant Family Community Church in Cantonments on April 22 and finally in Tema Community 4 Assemblies of God Church on April 29th.

With a cache of supporting guest ministers and groups such as the Harbour City Mass Choir, Joyful Way Incorporated LIC Choir, Rev. Tom Bright-Davies, Ps. Helen Yawson, Tagoe Sisters, Daughters of Glorious Jesus, Bernice Offei, Tema Youth Choir, Cindy Thompson, Uncle Ato, etc…to be called upon for a token GHc 10.00 at the gate, one is expected to experience a new wave of worship and praise from a reliable pot. Tickets are already on sell at the concert venues, Sunny FM and Citi FM

Nii Okai is one of the finest gospel artistes to come from Ghana. His music days dates back to Mfantsipim School and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology where he passed through the ranks of being a mere choir member to the heights of music director and choir president and worked with some of the best musicians and vocalists on different projects. He co-founded the Harbour City Mass Choir, a vibrant contemporary gospel choir in his native harbour city of Tema and rolled out his production niit House of Virtue under his love Nii Okai Ministries. However, it was the release of his first album ‘Moko Be’ that introduced him to the world as a versatile gospel music minister with the title track becoming a household worship anthem across Africa. He followed it suit with his second album, ‘Worshipful’ and then the third ‘Hymns Unlimited’, all masterpieces in their own right. ‘Holy Writings’, his fourth album is here and fans should expect nothing but another level of experience having warmed the hearts of fans with songs such as ‘You Are Jesus’, ‘Meeba Lala’, ‘Ayeyi Soronko’, among others.