LET JIMMY GAIT et. al BE

by Maina Kiwiri (@MainaKiwiri)

 

#Mungu_hapendi_ujinga, #Mungu_hawezi_Kuvunjia_simu, just a sample of allegedly new hit songs by @jimmygait. Some have even gone ahead to create memes on the same and posters alerting fans of his new music. All these are supposed to make us laugh...

Jimmy gait is not on the receiving end alone. There is his brother Willy Paul Msafi. A recent post circulating on social media welcoming Chris brown to Kenya before KOT kidogokidogo wanted him deported ASAP (hihihi kot apana mchezo, the new government) the post went forward to warn C.B of people to watch for; jimmy gait and willy Paul. #KenyansWhy? While the two are renown gospel artists, recent songs by the same have had massive criticism as being less godly or lacking in Christian content and mainly used for entertainment purposes and commercial. With songs like Yesu ndiye sponsor, a cover to Adele’s hello hit song among others, Jimmy Gait has been criticized for not taking ministry and God’s word seriously. Some people even say that his songs have not reached the required threshold of gospel music. Am still to find out what the threshold is. On his side, Willy Paul has been criticized of living a life that does not portray godliness. His music is said to seem like it’s sang more to a lady than to God. He is also said to be arrogant and proud as well as his music lacking the required threshold for Christian music.

 

The two are just a representation of other gospel artists whose music under the lenses of Kenyans especially those on twitter @Kot are not worth being termed as gospel songs. Other music under this category include; Bamba Mbaya by kelele takatifu, Lover by Bahati, Mateke by Size 8 Reborn, Niache Niimbe by Pitson among others and the latest one in this category being Thitima Anthem by Kymo and Stigah.

Surprisingly, all of these music above and others unmentioned are all local urban gospel music that fuses a lot of sheng slang and Swahili. None of the songs under the umbrella has been done using Swahili or English only. Could we probably say they fall under this category because people don’t take sheng slang as a serious language? Or it’s probably true that these songs don’t reach the threshold of Christian music whatever that is?

Well whatever the reason for this criticism is, am not here to defend or dispute any one of them. All the artists above have their inspiration for their music and reasons for each. Let’s leave God to do his work. It’s unto him to judge; not us. While we may think such songs as not being serious due to the fact that they use Sheng to communicate, I think God is the author of all languages including Sheng and he understands it even better. Above all else, God judges the motive. Before I forget, Luke 6 vs. 37 reminds us not to judge and we will not be judged. Not to condemn and we will not be condemned. We are supposed to correct each other with love. If one thinks some of these songs are not godly, they should air their corrections with love. Some of us; in fact most of us in our criticism are not close to correcting with love. Most of you condemn these songs with a vigor you would be mistaken for God himself with the authority you do these. Some would even seem to have come from heaven to discuss the same with God. Judge Not.

For our fellow gospel artists, this is a call for content. A call for Biblical teachings. Music inspired by the word of God or in line with it. Let us not doubt your music simply because its content is in contrast with the word of God. Your lives as well should portray this God you sing about and your allegiance to his word should be seen in you as well. This way, your message will reach men and women Christians and non-Christians alike without criticism and will have more impact. Above all else the motives of your music should be right. Without this, it’s all chasing after the wind. God judges your motive and sees it. He knows you inside and out. Your life is in the palm of his hand and He understands your every move. Music with a motive apart from God will probably yield you followers, likes et cetera but all these will one day pass away. Some little encouragement on the criticism, 1^st Corinthians 4 vs. 3-4 should help you out. “I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. ⁴ My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.”

 

Then this is a special part for you who disregard music just because it’s done in Sheng slang. You only think spiritual music is one that is done in your local dialect or that done by renown international musicians like Don Moen. You cannot take music even in your church done in a reggae beat or other genre like hip-hop and others because you think its authored by the devil. SHAME ON YOU. Time has come for you to come out of your stupor. The world is changing. We no longer live in the 19^th century. Change is good and it’s inevitable. New trends are coming up and you need to embrace them; only add caution and wisdom.

Just before you quote Romans 12vs 2 “Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world….” For your defense, also remember there is part b of this verse that calls you to “be transformed by the renewal of your mind.”

 

With this I plea we leave God’s work to Him. It is unto Him to judge; this includes this music and not we human beings. Juu ya io story nmeenda lakini Let Jimmy Gait et al BE.

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