There are many beautiful things about today’s local Gospel music scene. It's vibrant. It's diverse. It's dominant. We really are living in Gospel's good old days. Gone are the days when one or two Gospel artists soared high above the rest, absolutely dwarfing the ‘competition’. Artists, DJs, Videographers and producers are multiplying so fast, it’s hard to keep up. It’s a great time!

Yet here's the irony. The faster the wheels spin, the easier it is to fall off the carousel. It’s almost like “you snooze you lose”. Stay silent for all of twenty seconds, and not only have you been forgotten - someone’s sitting in your chair. A hit today; an afterthought tomorrow.

So I decided to press pause.  I decided to reduce the BPM’s, and slow down the frames. I decided to look back at some of the artists who have excited in the past, but haven’t been heard from in a minute. Here’s my top 5 artists who’ve been out to lunch a little longer than hoped.

A few words of caution though. Firstly, my list will differ from yours (but it is MY articleJ). Secondly, my criteria was quite subjective - only three things informed my thinking – (a) they were artists who released Gospel music, (b) they’ve been absent at the very least for 2-3 years, and (c), and most importantly, I miss them!

Also, I did consult with some of the industry's favorite sons and daughters to seek their opinion. But as is the case with advice, some you use…some is for the recycle bin.

Here goes nothing…

5. DNG

OK, OK. I can already hear the din of disapproval - the long twisted frowns and skinny "Christian" fingers of condemnation being whipped out and shaken furiously at me. Calm down. Hold your horses. Remember what we said? Gospel artist...2-3 years ago. He fits the bill. I mean, even the most skeptical of readers must admit this boy grabbed our imagination. Don't tell me you didn't go crazy when the Ennovator-driven Gospel Fathers-supported "Samehewa" hit the airwaves. What! That was crazy. Or when Kera sang vocals on "Temptation". And who can forget how the Pharisees got drunk on their hatorade when "Mpenzi" dropped!! And even though the scribes refused to play it on “their” Christian stations, it was pure genuis.

Love him or hate him, DNG's "My Testimony" (which I bop my head to as I write this) was a sick album. And as a Gospel artist, I miss him. Would I want him doing Gospel once more? I can't say. That's a story for another day. What I can say though is I'd love for him to record jams that are wholesome and Godly.

I LOOOOVED these boys!! Totally. I did. "Sina Substitute", their first and only album still gets airtime on my iPod any day. I still remember when they recorded the single "Nisaidie" for the still-born "Same Reason Project". Pure sweetness! Then they followed it up with album's title track - "Sina Substitute", and as part of Community of Praisers they recorded the timeless corporate praise classic "Uhimidiwe". Need I say more?

Heck, I will anyway. Crooner Manjeru did his magic on "Songea".

Were they your typical hip-hoppers? No! But their flow was very very clever and the sincerity in their lyrics and delivery made them something special. Many of their songs were very disarming as they were written in the first person (Nisaidie, Niongoze, Imani Yangu, Natosheka) - as you listened you could very easily relate with their stories. Their album was a rare commodity, but if you do manage to get your hands on it you'll be glad. It may not grab you by the collar and jerk you around instantly, but I guarantee you it will grow on you like a fungus. A fungus you'll be glad you caught.  

3. AMBASSADA 

Wamara Wyclef were his real names, but this Kenyan-based Ugandan artist made a huge splash across his own border. You might need to dig into the Gospel archives and dust up the monster single "Watoto Inkane" to get a fair idea of how influential this artist could have been. It was near impossible to be at a serious Christian event, and not hear the DJs spin it.

Outside "Watoto Inkane", "Natamani" was his next big hit. Later, and at a time when Sakata Records propduced almost everything on Gospel pop radio, Ambassada and Mr. Googz featured on Daddy Owen's biggest hit then, "Haijalishi". Next up was a collaborative effort with Rufftone on "Yahweh" and a lesser known pairing with Harry G on “Mwathani”.

Sound-Africa took his music in a different direction on his second album, Yaka, but it wasn't long before he quietly fell off the radar. Word has it he relocated back across the border, but Ambassada...we still miss you!

2. GOSPEL FATHERS 

I suspect that if a list of top ten local Gospel hip-hop/pop albums were to be drawn up, these three young brothers may get a look in more than once. Zaidi Ya Mziki, their collaborative effort with Jogg C, would no doubt get them a foot in the door. After all, it gave us the hits “Fundi Wa Mbao” and “Kiama”. Nonetheless, their own self-titled debut album would very likely go toe to toe with any regional hip-hop album, Gospel or Secular. I shudder to think what would have happened if Sina Madeni (and its remix) came out in today's era when Gospel enjoys not just its own dedicated media stations, but also significant crossover appeal. It would have been crazy. But please, let's not stop there.

Let's throw in We Afi Giddem, Chiri Chiri, Tukisema Gospel and Reke Ngikwere (we've already mentioned the huge "Samehewa" collabo with DNG). Allow me to quantify just how highly I have held these brothers. With the possible exception of Neccessary Noize (and I do mean when they were a trio), there's no local group I esteem more highly. None. Gospel or secular.

Yet of all the groups on this list, this one probably pains my heart the most. Mafathers, as they are sometimes affectionately referred to as, are not supposed to be done. They are not at the peak of their powers yet, not by a long shot. And even though I'd love to see them make me eat my words, I suspect they are not likely to ever record together again. They may record solo records, but the synergy and versatility may not be experienced again. And that's sad! Still, nothing stops me from jamming Sina Madeni Remix until I wear out the disc.

1. HENRIE MUTUKU 

It was unanimous. From all the consultations made for this article, EVERYONE's top question was "Where Is Henrie Mutuku?" And it’s totally justified. Right from the early 2000's, this lady stole our hearts. I still remember the day I was at a radio station and she personally dropped off her "Maanzi Wa Maana" single. Forget protocol. Toss rigidly made log sheets out the window. "Maanzi Wa Maana" was placed on high rotation instantly! Here's but a few of her accolades. Kora Award Winner (Best Artist East Africa, 2002). Kisima Award Winner (Best Female Artist, 2003). Kisima Award Winner (Best Contemporary Gospel Artist, 2003). Performed on stages literally across the world. How can we not miss Henri Mutuku?

Her first huge hit was the pacy "Nakuhitaji", and it was followed by songs like Songa Mbele and Usichoke, the latter, which features Rufftone and R-Kay, has been on Hope FM's jingle package ever since. Her "Simama" album proved to be her first and her last. She spectacularly fell off the scene shortly after, never to be heard from again. Unlike other artists who may reappear on a collaboration or compilation album every now and then, Henri Mutuku just vanished. And she left a gaping hole. In an industry so dominated by her male counterparts, her exit, at the time, left a vacancy that was not filled for a few years to come.

I often wonder what would happen if she decided to make a comeback today. Times have changed. The musical landscape is very different. Still, I suspect there's many fans who would breathe a collective sigh of relief if they ever heard her voice on the radio again. Until then, all i can do is urge you in joiining my chant:

"Come back Henri Mutuku...Come back"

Now don't shoot me if my list differs from yours. Some say potato, some say viazi. Still, it'd be fun to see what yours looks like.

How's about I give special mention to a few more - those that often make me rack my brain wondering "what happened?" One is PorQpine, others are Googz, (the old) SK Blue, DJ Josh, Shammah, and (the old) Milele-whatever that means. Throw in old-timers Izzo and SITA.

In jest I almost added Bamboo, but the fear of saducees lobbing grenades frightened me. Stand down soldier!

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