Lara George is a Nigerian gospel artist. She has won many musical awards throughout Africa, the UK, and the US. Including her Dove Award at the GMAs.

In her song “Ijoba Orun”, from her album “Forever in my Heart” the forms of africanisms are polyrhythms (drums, violin, piano, chimes), functional (spiritual: a prayer to God), group participation (back up singers), pitch inflection, and repetition of (mu mi de’le), like a cry to God to bring her home, that is when the beat to the music picks up with the addition of the drums to put emphasis on what she is saying. This song is about crying out to the Lord to bring one home, that what we do on Earth, what we have on earth, who we know on Earth can not get one to heaven. She is crying out to God to be the one to take her home when her time on earth is done.

The gospel genre came about for religious or ceremonial purposes. It’s origins runs back to negro spirituals as well as has pieces of soul and rhythm in blues. The purpose of gospel was to give praise to God as well as spread and share his love and message through a more creative manner, through music. This can be achieved by singing about testimonies, spiritual influences (like religious phrases), or prayers. I love the gospel because it is a way I can praise my Lord in a fun and active way, I believe a lot of others feel the same way.

By: Toluwanimi Araromi