Award-winning gospel choir Joyous Celebration. Picture: Supplied
Joyous Celebration, the award-winning choir, is leading the pack of gospel choirs with the most playlisted tracks from gospel choirs across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in the last 12 months.
According to the data shared by the music streaming giant Spotify, the glittering record illustrates the enduring effect of gospel music consumption in South Africa, with gospel choirs being major incubators for musical talent and impacting the broader music industry.
It is explained that gospel choirs are not only breeding grounds for future stars but also the core of worship music, serving as the backbone of Christian musical expression from local church gatherings to grand cathedrals.
Most streamed choir across SSA in the last 12 months:
Joyous Celebration, Spirit of Praise, 1 Spirit & Theophilus Sunday, Lejwe La Motheo Artists Development, Universal Khathisma Apostolic Church in Zion, Isaac And The Mighty Messengers, Loveworld Singers, Universal Catholic Church Choir, Worship House, and Tshwane Gospel Choir.
The top playlisted tracks from gospel choirs across SSA in the last 12 months include three hit songs: Ndenzel's Uncedo Hymn 377, Yesu Wena UnguMhlobo, and Hallelujah Nkateko (Lihle's Version)—Live Uyalalelwa by Joyous Celebration.
The list includes other much-loved songs from well-known gospel groups such as the Spirit of Praise (Mpumi Mtsweni and Ayanda Ntanzi) and Lejwe La Motheo Artists Development.
Age group and gender streaming gospel choirs in the last 12 months show that gospel choir streams are a hit with young adults in Sub-Saharan Africa, with 33% of listeners who are 18-24 and 20% who are 25-29.
It is further revealed that in South Africa gospel choir streams are a hit with young adults, further showing that 28% of listeners are 18-24 and 17% are 35-44.
Joyous Celebration continued its winning run on the charts, topping both the top-streamed and top-playlisted gospel choir songs from South Africa for the previous 12 months.
The music streaming platform’s digital revolution has expanded gospel choirs' global reach, also enabling them to build sustainable careers and communities beyond their local congregations, thereby enhancing their overall impact.
Now in the age of digital streaming, gospel choirs are finding new ways to spread the message and melodies beyond their physical confines.
The Star
anita.nkonki@inl.co.za
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