Nathaniel Bassey(Listen) (born 27 August 1981) is a Nigerian singer, pastor, trumpeter and gospel songwriter popularly known for his songs "Imela", "Onise Iyanu", and "Olowogbogboro."[1] Over the years, Bassey has established himself as one of the prominent and most listened-to gospel ministers in Nigeria. His music spans across different genres such as jazz, worship, hymns and medley.[2] He attends The Redeemed Christian Church Of God[3] and pastors The Oasis Lagos, the youth church of the RCCG Kings Court in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Nathaniel Bassey
Nathaniel Bassey
Born (1981-08-27) 27 August 1981 (age 43)
Lagos, Nigeria
NationalityNigerian
OccupationGospel musician
Notable work#HallelujahChallenge

Early life and education

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Bassey was born in Lagos, Nigeria, on 27 August 1981. He is originally from Ikot Ofon Ikono, Uyo local government area in Akwa-Ibom state, south-south Nigeria. Mr. E. Joshua Bassey, his father, was a minister in the Apostolic Church Bashua Assembly. He studied international relations and politics at the University of Lagos before moving to London to study politics thereafter. Conversely, he studied music at the Middlesex University Summer School.[1]

Nathaniel Bassey is married to Sarah Bassey. They got married in the year 2013, although they had known each other for 12 years before their marriage.

Music career

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Nathaniel started his musical career in the church, where he then joined the Rhodes Orchestra and played the trumpet for two years. He was a trumpeter who composed a song at the visit to Stella Obasanjo, the late wife of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.[1] in 2004, he featured in the album "New Jazz Stew Project: Revelation" along side top jazz performers like Wole Oni and Yinka Davies. In 2018, Bassey was one of the leading artistes in the Nigerian Christian gathering - The Experience.[4] His debut album, Elohim, was recorded and mixed in Cape Town, South Africa, in the year 2008. It has been described as a spiritual and artistic masterpiece with the hit track, "Someone's knocking at the door," a soft-rock tune currently generating so much interest locally and internationally.[5]

[6] Nathaniel started the #HallelujahChallenge in June 2017,[7] where he and other believers worship God for an hour, from 12:00 am to 1:00 am. He streams this event on his Instagram page along with other social outlets and invites others to join him. In less than a month, the event had over 600,000 views. The #HallelujahChallenge for 2020 was held from 4 to 24 February 2020[8][9] In 2021, the challenge was held from 1 to 21 February.[10]

Studio albums

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  • Someone's at the Door (2010)
  • The Son of God (& Imela) (2014)
  • This God is too Good (2016)
  • Revival Flames (2017)
  • Jesus: The Resurrection & the Life (2018)
  • The King is Coming (2019)
  • Hallelujah Again (Revelation 19:3) (2021)
  • Names of God (2022)
  • Hallelujah Live (2023)
  • Jesus Iye (2023)
  • Yahweh Sabaoth (2023)
  • Iba (2023)
  • Bless the Lord (2024)

Performances

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[11][12]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Nathaniel Bassey: A blessing in our time". The Nation. 3 October 2018.
  2. ^ Abegunde, Israel (3 April 2023). "Best Nathaniel Bassey Songs of All Time — Top 10". Christian Gists. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  3. ^ "Churches Attended by Nigerian Gospel Ministers". churchlist.ng. 2 February 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  4. ^ "Kirk Franklin, Travis Greene, Tope Alabi, others to headline The Experience 2018". Punch Nigeria. 24 November 2018.
  5. ^ "Profile". nathanielbassey.net. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  6. ^ Busari, Torera Idowu and Stephanie (15 June 2017). "How Nathaniel Bassey started a praise and worship movement on Instagram". CNN. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  7. ^ Busari, Stephanie; Idowu, Torera (15 June 2017). "How Nathaniel Bassey started a praise and worship movement on Instagram". CNN. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  8. ^ "Nathaniel Bassey Announces Date For 2019 #HalleluyahChallenge". P.M. News. 2 February 2019.
  9. ^ "Criticisms made Hallelujah Challenge bigger – Nathaniel Bassey". Punch Nigeria. 23 June 2017.
  10. ^ "Everything about the Hallelujah Challenge by Nathaniel Bassey". Hallelujah Challenge. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  11. ^ BellaNaija.com (31 December 2020). "Get Ready to Step Up with 'The Liberty Church London' Tonight by 9.00 pm | 31 December". BellaNaija. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  12. ^ "Don Moen, Sinach, Tope Alabi, Nathaniel Bassey, others lead worship at The Experience '15 global". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 13 December 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2021.