One song which has catapulted Africa into the spotlight in an unprecedented way is Way Maker, written by Christ Embassy International worship leader, Sinach.  

For years, we have longed to see the songs of other nations meaningfully impact the global church, shared Jonathan Brown, President, Integrity Music. Way Maker has accomplished more than our wildest dreams (Integritymusic.com)

Though recorded and released in 2015, the song only went viral in 2020 and has now been translated into over 50 languages. According to the GMA (Gospel Music Association) more than 60 recording artists have covered the song, such as Leeland, Michael W. Smith - whose version went to No. 1 at radio, Mandisa, Bethel, Passion (feat. Kristian Stanfill, Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes), Miranda Curtis, American Idol contestants Genevieve Linkowski and David Archuletta, and most recently Revere featuring Darlene Zschech and William McDowell..

Following on from her 2020 Dove Award Song of the Year win, Sinach has made history again with her BMI top honour.

Watch Sinach perform Waywaker at the BMI awards below:

Taking to Instagram to share the news, Sinach posted: What a way to start a good month!! Stand up for Jesus!! Thank you @bmi !! @integritymusic @joe_egbu @sinachliveconcerts#sinach #waymaker #greatestlord #iknowwhoiam #sponsoredbygrace

UK Gospels Noel Robinson responded to Sinachs win with a heartfelt message on Instagram: ...This blessed my soul this morning. For many of us songwriters and worship leaders in the many black diasporas outside of the US this is a huge and significant moment. Thank you sis for blazing a trail and knocking down walls and doors. You were always a champion and winner but God chose you to be highlighted in this moment, so we all need to celebrate you and your achievements!..

Sinach is Africas most streamed gospel artist with Waymaker accounting for over 14million of her combined Spotify streams and almost 180million of her total YouTube views.

Written by Akosua DF, Premier Gospel Presenter

Friday, 6 August 2021

Over the last decade, gospel music from West Africa has gained greater recognition on the international stage. The US gospel industry has begun to take note of the immense talent birthed from the motherland, with the likes of Nathaniel Bassey, Dunsin Oyekan, Limoblaze and Sinach frequently listed as favourites by many of gospels power players.