Social Media Platforms and their contributions to Gbenjo's Alujo Gospel Music in Nigeria

https://doi.org/10.36349/olijhe.2024.v.01i01.013

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36349/olijhe.2024.v.01i01.013

Keywords:

Uniqueness, Gospel music, Media, Cultural Elements, Laolu Gbenjo

Abstract

Gospel music is essential in the music business, particularly in Southwest Nigeria. The musician's vocal and instrumental prowess is reflected in his cultural background and societal values, encompassing Western and African musical techniques. Despite the popularity of gospel music performances, it has been written about the role of social media platforms in promoting gospel music artists in Nigeria. Thus, the main aim of this study is to explore Laolu Gbenjo's musical works and highlight his uniqueness on social media handles such as YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram. Tracing his movement from church to social media space, Gbenjo music brought about a heavy arrangement of percussion instruments in the form of Alujo. Using ethnographic research design, this study relies on data generated from Gbenjo's Laolu social media handle. Findings revealed that, beyond the youth's harmful use of social media 
platforms, gospel artists use the platform for evangelism and socio-economic benefit. In conclusion, Nigerian Gospel musicians should use social media to promote and contribute to Gospel music.

Author Biographies

  • BABALOLA, Sunday Oludele, PhD, Corresponding Author

    BABALOLA, Sunday Oluwaseun Oludele. PhD, is an Associate Professor and Head of Department of Music, College of Humanities Education, Lagos State University of Education, Oto/ Ijanikin, Lagos. He was born on 23rd December at Ile Agboro, Aaje, Ogbomoso, Ogbomoso North, Oyo State, Nigeria.

    He completed his Ph.D at University of Ibadan in Ethnomusicology - 2015, Master of Arts Music - 2006 at Obafemi Awolowo University, Bachelor of Arts in Music - 1999 at Obafemi Awolowo University, N.C.E (Music) - 1995 at St. Andrew's College of Education, Oyo and West African School Certificate - 1988. He is a member of Association of Nigeria Musicologists (ANIM), International Society for Music Educator (ISME), Society for Music Educators in Nigeria (SOMEN), Instructor Nigeria Nationwide Baptist Music Workshop and Early Childhood Association of Nigeria (ECAN). Specialized in Ethnomusicology, 
    Composition/ Theory and Performance.

  • Mr. TAIWO, Emmanuel Adegboyega

    TAIWO, Emmanuel Adegboyega studied music at Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Oto/Ijanikin, where he obtained his (N.C.E.) in Music Education, (B.A.(Hons) at Ekiti State University, (Master of Arts) in Ethnomusicology at Lagos State University Ojo Campus, and currently, a Postgraduate Student at Lagos State University Ojo, Campus. He is an upcoming scholar whose focus is mainly on ethnomusicology, and eco-musicology, as tools of promoting African culture through African Traditional Music, when it comes to concepts, content, and context in African society. 

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Published

2024-08-09

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 1 (2024): OLÓGÈ: LASUED INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES EDUCATION (OLIJHE)

Section

Articles