FEATURE: Nathaniel Bassey Shares Tips On How to Make a Gospel Album | @nathanielblow |

Nathaniel BasseyOftentimes, Gospel music ministers ask the question, ”how and when is appropraite for them to start working towards releasing an album”? I think Prolific Gospel minister and worshipper, Nathaniel Bassey has given tips that will go a long way in answering those questions. He shares his thought on the steps that needs to be taken by Gospel music minsters before they start the recording of a gospel album.

Check out the article Below. We hope that you find it useful.

”Shalom saints, just felt a need to share some personal ideas on recording your gospel album. Now, these are not rules set in stone. They are essentially personal principles I live by, and can be of help to anyone out there.

1. BE LED TO RECORD
As Christians let the word of God and the leading of the Spirit be the basis. Every time I get a word to do something, I embark on it with an assurance knowing I have the backing of heaven. In this place there is divine provision and assistance.

2. RECORD WITH A PURPOSE
For me these two reasons should be the main reasons for recording a gospel album.
A. To glorify God
B. To minister, bless and impact lives.
Many record to make money, assume the lime light and become famous. But the truth is that any album that meets the two criteria above will always make money. But this should not be the focus.

3. HAVE DIRECTION AND FOCUS
Have you ever picked up a gospel album and you really can’t place the style or genre of the work? I have. Lots of Albums in this part of the world lack that definition and clear musical identity. You get to hear rap, jazz, juju, dance hall, worship, Afro, reggae etc, all in one album. Perhaps it’s a way of shooting in all direction expecting one of them to hit. No! No!

You should have a clear sound. Your identity. Something peculiar to you. If you sound close to Sir Ebenezer Obey, then don’t try singing like Marvin Sapp. Be true to your self. Your grace works in your place.

4. GET THE RIGHT PRODUCER
There are great and skillful producers out there. But not all can properly articulate your sound. In fact, sometimes, the right person may not necessarily be a big name. I suggest pray for direction in this area.

5. BE PRAYERFUL
You should spend time praying before, during and after the recording. Remember a gospel album is a spiritual project. I remember a number of my studio recordings were worship sessions. Sometimes we’ve had to pray in the spirit for extensively before tracking. We’ve had people so overwhelmed, they wept and just fell because we had a strong presence in the studio. People tend to feel the same presence in the recordings like we did feel in the studio.

6. USE LIVE INSTRUMENTS
Since music has gone so digital, there is a tendency to do everything with computers. But even when I’m recording digitally, I try as much as possible to fuse in as much analogue or live instruments as possible. LIFE instruments bring LIFE to recordings. And that’s because people play them. You see, God gives grace, but people are the carriers of it. Some musicians, especially the anointed ones bring a certain grace and anointing to a work that digital recording can never produce.

7. RECORD WITH A GOOD SOUND ENGINEER
This is where we really miss it in Naija. Notice I didn’t say record in a big or expensive studio. I have realized that a studio is only as good as the engineer in it. A studio can have the best of gear. But without an engineer with the requisite skill and knowledge to operate the gears, your recording would still sound poor. And the converse is also true. A studio might have just very basic gear, but with the right engineer, you can achieve some high quality sound. My engineer in Lagos is very good. Though not your typical big studio, he seems to know his onions. And every time I’ve had to take the work abroad for further mixes, the engineers abroad have always spoken highly of his work. I recorded songs like IMELA, no other God, wonderful wonder if etc with him ( you reach him on: 08052222668 – alpha Junes studio).

What I also try to do to get that global sound on my recording is do my post productions abroad. Mix and master abroad. In addition to recording abroad sometimes. And you see, if God has given you a global vision, you can’t afford to do things like a local person. Sometimes the things that limit our music from having that global reach is poor and mediocre sound quality.

8. THE BLESSING
After your album is ready, get it blessed. I know some folks would argue with this. If you have a pastor, you may just have him speak a word of blessing over it. You see, the guys in the world understand this. They take their projects to places to invoke all sorts on them. I understand the place of a father’s blessing. Our generation is one that despises these things. But you see, I am a product of some of these things. It works. You may not know this, but before I ever released my first album, I wrote pastor E A Adeboye, my general overseer, a letter, just asking him to speak a word of blessing before I ever launch out. I can remember his words very vividly. And I can tell tell, they haven’t fallen to the ground. I was determined not to go the way of others.

9. RELEASE YOUR WORK
The beauty of this is that unlike the past, you have the Internet and social media. And independent online music platforms, and do not need record labels etc to help with distributing your work. And this is what I’ve learnt. If your work is good: anointed and well produced, the marketers will look for you. A good product will always sell itself.
I remember a number of them were reluctant to take up my work when I came out first, but you see, I was not in a hurry. And just kept my focus. However, today, by God’s grace, the story is different.

10. BE PATIENT
“For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”
Hebrews 10:36.

This is where many folks miss it. They want the break now. The thing must happen immediately. In our kingdom things don’t happen that way. God takes us through a process to mature us, and allow Christ to be formed in us.
So wait!

I’ll end with this little story;

I began playing the trumpet in 1991. Yes. Recorded my first album in 2008. But the impact of our ministry has only begun to be felt. So what happened in between? One word….. PROCESS!

Character is formed and moulded. God tries and works on our hearts, to make sure we don’t blow it when the spot light comes. Here are some great christian producers. Check them out on facebook and connect with them.
Emmanuel Juzzy Uzozie, Rotimi Akinfenwa, Wilson Joel, Wole Oni, George Adealao, etc.

I hope you find this article useful.

God bless you”.

Okay, i trust you learnt a lot reading that. Now, share and let us make Jesus Famous!!!

24 Responses

  1. Wow am really blessed to know that now is the PROCESS time,so by GRACE i’ll wait on HIM, thank you very much sir.God bless you IJN

    1. Thanks big brother more grace to you in your ministry. Regarding those producers you recommend,what about upcoming gospel artists who are not staying in lagos,have you a recommendation in AKS?
      Thanks.
      Regards
      Enogod

  2. God bless nd reward u sir.. Indeed am jst blessed by diz principles. What I have been lookin for, now God use u to explan nd break in pieces. Sure I wll extend to my fello artists nd song ministers, nd to all dat diz is crucial nd important to them. God bless u, nd god bless gospel centric family at large. I love u all……

  3. Truth sets free those who receive it, that’s my experience as I read through this article. God bless you man of God and gospel centric team.

  4. @Nathaniel Bassey you are a gift and blessing to this generation, anytime I listen to your songs it uplifts me, you are a true worshipper and may God continue to uplift you sir. Am a great fan of urs, bless you

  5. I love the simplicity and Grace that your songs carries. As prov 4:18 says;The path of the Just is as a shining Light that shines brighter and brighter… continue to live in the reality of that Word sir

  6. A GREAT INSIGHT!!!! UR LIGHT WILL NOT TURN TO DARKNESS BUT KP GLOWING AND ILLUMINATING UR PATH. AM WORKING TOWARDS MAKING D 7DAYS WORSHIP TOUR IN D HOLY LAND.

  7. I hardly fall in love with worship & praise songs from most of our young singers of this day, but this man (NATHANIEL) he sings from the heart of God, he sings to please my father Jesus, i was touch with the song; SOMEONE AT YOUR DOOR, at a concept i attended sometime ago, an now again with the song YOU HAVE DONE WHAT NO ONE CAN DO FOR ME, friend keep it up, do not sing to please man, if you can please God you also please all man, do not sing to beautify your voice, but sing to beautify the voice of God in you, take away worldlyness from your music & you shall shine and never fade away, look at many today they fadeup like the rainbow because they want to please both God & the world, my friend do you know what he ask me to tell you, LISTEN, i will bring down the mighty tree, and the little once i shall exalt, is in the scripture, God bless you more even with inspiration wisdom and understanding…

  8. I thank God for your life sir, God made you a blessing to our generation. I really do appreciate your article, its foundational principles. Thank you sir. God bless your ministry. Amen.

  9. This has really changed my idea about recording and releasing a song
    I really do like the “Patient” so emphasized, God continue blessing you and your ministry sir

  10. Wow! I just realised I could do things very differently. Thank you for this very insightful piece. I was so much in a hurry releasing my songs even without doing some of the above. I just knew something was missing. But thank God for His guidance through His servant. God bless you and may His grace be multiplied over you and all you do.

  11. Nathaniel Bassey have been my number one on the list of gospel artists. from his meekness to his God inspired song. He is a perfect definition of ‘gospel artist’. I have at most zero of his songs that has not inspired me to worship or acknowledge God. Someday with these principle outlined, I will join him to give gospel music the perfect picture that pleases God through my God inspired songs. God bless Gospel Centric. God bless Nathaniel Bassey, God bless you all readers, God bless Naija music. 09075973444 (Marvin Israel Ubong)- de gospella

  12. It’s indeed a nice thing not to be influenced by the worldly musics.Sir, I wish you heaven at last.

  13. Thank you so much for deep illumination .sounds simple yet very tangible truths that exalts.Am blessed as this is a timely word.

  14. @natahaniel bassey i really learnt alot from u, i always wish to be like u, i love the way u sound your trumpet, i want to learn how to blow the trumpet too, but i have no one to teach me am just 15years old this is my number 09084283261, thank u sir, i love u @nathaniel bassey

  15. Jah bless thee real good sir..
    I’ve learnt alot from this article, as a matter of fact, i’m blessed.
    Pleas sir, do u have or know a good studio with a good engineer u can recommend here in Akwa Ibom state? Please i’d love to know them and if possible have their contact as well. Thank u sir

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