Renowned Ghanaian gospel artist, Joe Mettle has revealed that being the first gospel artist to win the Artist of the Year at the 2017 Ghana Music Awards opened more doors for him.
On 8 April 2017, Joe Mettle made history by being the first Ghanaian gospel musician to win the coveted award at the 2017 Ghana Music Awards.
“You know that thing that happens when you get nominated and people start asking who this guy is? So yes, it opened more doors for me.”
Joe Mettle
This historic win highlighted his significant impact on the music industry.
Joe has garnered numerous awards both in Ghana and internationally, performing on stages worldwide alongside renowned gospel artists such as Donnie McClurkin, Nathaniel Bassey, Ntokozo Mbambo, and Michael Stuckey.
“It started bringing more attention to some of the things that we had done that people were not paying attention to. There was more support, even from the media.”
Joe Mettle
According to Joe Mettle, he is critical of the people he collaborates with.
“I think I have gotten to a point where I chase what the person carries more. It’s not about whether the person is more famous or not; it’s about what they carry so when the song comes, through prayer and listening to the sound of that individual, I can also tell that from this song that I have, this individual will be able to interpret it better.”
Joe Mettle
He, however, added that there haven’t been any regrets about any of his collaborations and there are more to come.
Joe Mettle has collaborated with the likes of Pastor Isaiah, Luigi Maclean, Sunmisola Elizabeth Agbebi Okeleye, MOG, and others.
“This is probably my most featured album,” he said.
Joe Mettle will host the likes of MOG, Ohemaa Mercy, Nathaniel Bassey, Pastor Isaiah, Team Eternity, and many more on June 30, 2024, at the Accra Sports Stadium for a Holy Spirit encounter at the Praise Reloaded 2024.
No Room for Rivalries In Gospel Fraternity
The award-winning Ghanaian gospel singer, Joe Mettle declared that the gospel music fraternity has no room for rivalries.
According to him, gospel artists serve the same purpose in worshipping the same God, so there are no “beefs”.
“Beefing” in the music industry is rivalry or disputes between artists, and the form of quarreling is almost as old as the music industry itself.
“Are there beefs in the gospel industry? I’m not sure there are any. In the gospel [music] industry, we are serving the same Lord; it’s just that He gives diverse gifts unto us where, together, we bring them to honour Him.
“So, if we are both honouring and serving the same master, why are we beefing? We are serving the same body. You may be the hand, someone else will be the legs, and together we make the same kingdom and bring glory to God.”
Joe Mettle
He further quizzed the essence of beefing with his colleagues in the gospel music industry, adding that there is no need for “beefs”.
“I am actually the worst person to have a beef with. When the negativity comes, I identify the God factor in it, and when I do it works together for my good.
“By God’s grace, I have achieved certain feats based on the negativity that came but I didn’t allow it to get to me. I don’t waste my pain, and I don’t waste my challenges; I utilise them for good.”
Joe Mettle
Eulogizing KODA, a multiple award-winning Contemporary Gospel artiste and sound engineer, Joe Mettle stated that he [KODA] was a great guy and a great brother by all standards.
He emphasized KODA’s openness to help, and his humility, demonstrated by how he would solicit for his advice even though he [Joe Mettle] was the younger one.
Ultimately, Joe Mettle said, “God knows best.”
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