It is disheartening to witness the struggles of Chioma Jesus, a renowned gospel music icon who undoubtedly possesses immense talent. At times, I find myself wishing that she hadn’t returned to the music scene after her years of absence…..CONTINUE READING
If she hadn’t, she would likely still be receiving royalties and invitations to perform on special occasions, maintaining her untarnished reputation. However, she may have returned due to the allure of higher music streaming revenues or the calls from fans and friends urging her to come back.
Unfortunately, since her return, things have not been smooth sailing. Her music streams have not been as massive as anticipated, and it appears that those who encouraged her to return may have abandoned her, much like the supporters of a political candidate who withdraw their support. The root cause of Chioma’s struggle can be attributed to her failure to evolve with the current standards of gospel music. She has remained trapped in her old musical style, which no longer resonates with the tastes of contemporary gospel music audiences. Allow me to elaborate on Chioma Jesus’ pitfalls using the following points:
Her Sounds: Gospel music has undergone significant transformation from the era when artists would simply enter the studio and sing from the depths of their hearts with a natural voice, devoid of effects or retouching. Those days are long gone. Presently, artists plan meticulously, enhance the lyrics, and invest considerable effort in post-production to appeal to their audience. Furthermore, gospel music has shifted towards live audience recordings, which exude a lively and groovy atmosphere. Sadly, Chioma Jesus remains trapped in the outdated sound style of 2006.
Her Videos: The preference for live audience recordings is also due to their exceptional video content. Artists have the opportunity to capture the moment, experience, and audience response while recording their songs. This live recording allows artists to gauge the potential success of a song prior to its release. The genuine and spontaneous audience reactions captured in live videos can even make listeners appreciate a song they initially didn’t like. Regrettably, Chioma Jesus has yet to embrace this style. She continues to employ archaic video shooting techniques, opting for mountainous landscapes, valleys, and grasslands with grazing cows. Additionally, she adheres to the outdated practice of including numerous outfit changes within a single music video. This outdated dramatic approach no longer appeals to audiences. If it is not an audience live recording, then it should be a classy and modern production.
Her Dress Sense: I understand that Chioma Jesus may be given some leeway due to her age, but if she genuinely wishes to increase her appeal in the contemporary gospel music scene, she must abandon the attire reminiscent of biblical prophetesses. Most gospel music audiences, particularly streamers, fall within the age range of 17 to 35. To capture their attention, an artist must cater to their diverse tastes. While dressing like an executive of a Catholic Women’s organization is acceptable, it may not resonate with the target audience. Wearing ancient head-ties and garments reminiscent of deeper-life types may come across as intimidating. I am not suggesting that she dresses indecently, but rather that she adopts a more stylish and trendy appearance. She can draw inspiration from artists like Sinach.
Her Music/Album Covers: Recently, I came across one of Chioma Jesus’ songs on Boomplay and couldn’t help but laugh at the outdated cover design. It was reminiscent of a bygone era. Chioma Jesus should take note of the modern trends in gospel music. Gone are the days when album covers featured capital letters and huge fonts declaring “Eze-igwe Cherebium Entertainment presents.” Likewise, using studio pictures resembling wallpaper as album covers is no longer in vogue. Dramatic illustrations such as thunder, lightning, fire…..CONTINUE READING