Ghanaian gospel star, Minister OJ has expressed worry over the lyrics of today’s music stating, “Musicians have to reach out and go deeper, in terms of content.”
He highlighted what he did to avoid cliché and weak lyricism.
“It’d appear some have recycled a lot of words: ‘Nobody like you’, etc. It’s too much. Meanwhile, the Bible encourages us to sing a new song unto the Lord,” he admonished.
OJ emphasized the importance of going “deep” into oneself to compose unique songs.
“Music is a ladder. Songs are like ladders. We climb to places that are higher realms. So when you constantly reach deep into yourself, God will provide you with words.”
Minister OJ
He urged intensifying one’s “spirituality and study of words,” to the extent that “words will come to you, as I personally experience”.
“When I close my eyes, I can see words. Words are like light. They are sparkles. They come,” he said.
Minister OJ eulogized Gospel greats like Yaw Sarpong and Prof Mark Abraham.
“They impacted me greatly because of the depth of their music and lyrics. Whenever I wrote, I tried to write as deeply as they did. I reach out deep within me to do that.”
Minister OJ
Another important hack to powerful lyrics, he added, was to “learn the language”.
He asserted there was a difference between “casually speaking a language and understanding it”.
“Ghanaians speak English but don’t really understand it. When you experience the English natives speak their language you’ll notice what we speak is shallow and just for conversations.
“I learned music at school at Prempeh College and learned Asante Twi, also. I also did English literature. Due to this, I can deeply appreciate and function in both Twi and English.”
Minister OJ
He emphasized the importance of keeping music, arts, and culture as integral parts of senior high school education as he experienced in his days.
“I studied music at the School of Performing Arts, Theatre Arts, University of Ghana, Legon, also,” he added.
Gospel Star Urges Musicians To Be Different
Minister OJ advised musicians on how to find a distinguished niche.
The ‘Obi Nya Wo Aye hitmaker’ noted that the only time musicians will be celebrated is when they’re in their familiar zone, urging them to be different.
“If you want to assert your person and place, be different from the rest. If you do ordinary things, you’ll get ordinary results. While people go right, go left.
“That’s the only time people will pause. There’ve been instances I’ve intentionally made mistakes in the music to draw attention. It’s not enough to just sing and arrange a song nicely.”
Minister OJ
Recognizing God as the creator of mankind, he buttressed his point by observing even God gives one person two feet of unique sizes.
Art must be unconventional and unique, the beloved singer-songwriter and composer argued.
“Anytime I do something, I always make sure I’ll be distinct. Even if you don’t like me, you cannot avoid the difference I make. That’s how it should be. Be different in everything you do.”
Minister OJ
Ultimately, Minister OJ highlighted, that his primary concern when he makes music is to lead his audience to spiritual liberation found only in Jesus.
“All my songs contain a word about salvation, and I make sure of that. No matter what, I will bring Jesus into the song. I love him dearly,” he said.
Minister OJ is respected for timeless hits like Fa Mpaebo, Obi Nya W’aye, Apor Jesu, Onipa Hia Mmoa, Etse Sen, and Meduru, among many others. His latest offering is Adom Ahyasie.
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