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Is there a rule that bars gospel artistes from working with their secular counterparts and vice versa, or it’s just some human creation? CHEBET KORIR looks at the current collaboration wave between musicians from the two divides of the art

Gospel singer Kevin Kioko, aka Bahati, has  been on the receiving end from Kenyans on Twitter (KOT), following his two recent music releases with secular artistes. 

The Itakuwa Sawa hitmaker first worked with gengetone group Boondocks Gang on a song titled Taniua, which elicited a lot of debate among fans and music critics.

On Monday last week, Bahati released his collaboration project dubbed Kererembe  with genge group, The Kansoul (Madtraxx and Mejja).

The new jam, which has been trending since its release, has so far garnered 200,000 views on YouTube.

These two songs from a gospel artiste has made many fans accuse Bahati of confusing them.

Some say he was once an inspiration to them, but he has since lost his way and his content is becoming meaningless.

Others compared him to Willy Paul, strongly stating his transition does not suit him while others criticised him that his songs no longer have any spiritual content.

It also sparked an online debate with several people arguing that a gospel minister should not be collaborating with secular artistes, quoting verses from the Bible that tell Christians not to sit in the counsel of sinners or to be unequally yoked with non-believers.

Others argued everyone is the same in the eyes of God and being a secular act does not stop one from singing a gospel song.

Bahati is yet to respond, but Mejja—especially after his song with Bahati—says nobody needs to be judged for working with whomever.

“It really annoys me when we are judged for our work. We are musicians and creatives and our faith in God should not be judged.

At the end of the day, we do not feed on assumptions and speculation from people. It’s only God who knows the deepest of our hearts,” he told Spice.

The new normal

Bahati is not the first gospel artiste to work with secular acts, however. Last week, gospel singer Mr Seed released a song Kwa Hao featuring up-and-coming gengetone rapper Madox of Boondocks Gang, comedian Kartelo, rising rapper Vuv and fellow gospel musician Masterpiece.

Five months ago, gospel dancehall singer Hopekid featured rapper Khaligraph Jones in a song known as Testimony. Interestingly, it was received well by his fans.

Willy Paul is believed to have triggered the current collaboration wave between the so-called gospel and secular artistes.

In 2018, he featured boy band Sauti Sol on Take It Slow. He also collaborated with bongo singer and former Wasafi Classic Baby (WCB) member Harmonize on a song titled Pilipili.

During this time, his fans were already torn about his spirituality, a thing that never stopped him from unleashing bangers with club artistes.

Last year, Willy Paul worked with Tanzanian singer Nandy, debuting their first single called Njiwa and later released another hit dubbed Halleluyah.

Regarding his collaborations, his devoted followers pointed out that he had done it well, but questioned his faith standing.

Jacob Otieno aka Jacky B is one of the most sought-after gospel music producers in the country. Personally, he says there is no harm when two musicians come together, especially when it comes to gospel musicians and secular acts, as long as the message being passed in the song is right in moral and principle.

“Who are we to judge their music? All we care about is the song and what message the artistes are trying to pass across.”

Emphasis on message

Gospel mixmaster Deejay Sadic is of the opinion that everyone has their motive when they work with pther people.

“Some might be after publicity, but we have others who are genuinely trying to win souls in the gospel side.

I cannot comment on specific people because artistes have a reason for doing something, in this case, gospel musicians working with secular acts,” he says, adding that music is undoubtedly an important part of everyday life and it has the power to positively or negatively influence the masses.

For music promoter, producer and deejay, VDJ Jones, he believes the relationship between the gospel and secular music worlds is advantageous, since it unites people in a certain way.

He says: “It is a good thing when gospel is spread through a channel that may look unconventional, such as a gospel; artiste collaborating with a secular one. It gets to impact the community in that unique way.”

However, Liz Ahadi, a vocalist with the Karura Chapel, sees it in the negative. She quotes the Bible in 2 Corinthians 6:14: “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers.”