Sinach

Osinachi Kalu Okoro Egbu,[1] known professionally as Sinach, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and senior worship leader at Loveworld.[2][3] She is the first singer-songwriter to top the Billboard Christian Songwriter chart for 12 weeks in a row.[4] Her song, Way Maker bagged three nominations and won the Song of the Year at the 51st GMA Dove Awards, making her the first Nigerian to win the Award. She has released 9 studio albums with several gospel hit songs, including "Way Maker", "I Know Who I Am", "Great Are You Lord", "Rejoice", "He Did It Again", "Precious Jesus", "The Name of Jesus", "This Is My Season", "Awesome God", "For This", "I Stand Amazed", "Simply Devoted" and "Jesus is Alive".[5][6]

Sinach
Sinach performing at Mosaiek Theatre in Johannesburg 2016
Background information
Birth nameOsinachi Kalu
Born (1973-03-30) 30 March 1973
OriginAfikpo South, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • Songwriter
  • Worship leader
InstrumentsVocals
Years active1994–present
Labels
  • Loveworld
  • SLIC
Websitesinach.org sinachmusic.com

Sinach's Way Maker has piled up many recognition and awards since it was released in 2015. The visuals for Way Maker is currently the second most watched Nigerian music video on YouTube.[7] In March 2019, it became the third Nigerian video to garnered 100 million views on YouTube behind Davido's "Fall" and Yemi Alade's Johnny".[8] "Way Maker" has been covered by over 60 Christian artists such as Michael W. Smith, Darlene Zschech, Leeland, Bethel Music, and Mandisa and in many languages.[9][10][11] In the first few weeks of the Coronavirus pandemic and lockdown in 2020, Way Maker was the go to song, as several viral videos in hospitals, parks were made with large numbers of people singing the song.[12] After being on the Christian Copyright Licensing International top 100 chart for several months in 2020, it claimed the No. 1 position in June and has remained till December 2020, making it the most played song in Churches across the United States for 2020.[13][14]

Sinach received a Bethlehem Hall of Faith certificate of commemoration during her visit to Israel in December 2017.[15] In September 2019, Sinach became the first gospel artist from Africa to tour India, headlining concerts with several thousands in attendance.[16] In May 2020, she became the first African artist to top the Billboard Christian Songwriters chart.[17]

Biography

Early life

Sinach hails from Ebonyi State, Eastern Nigeria, and is the second daughter of seven children.[18]

Sinach started singing for family and friends in 1989 as a hobby, while working as a staff and choir member in Christ Embassy, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome's Church.[19] She studied physics and graduated from the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.[20] She considered relocating from Nigeria after her University education, but was advised against it by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome.[21]

Personal life

In 2014, Sinach married Joseph Egbu in her home Church Christ Embassy. On 17 November 2019, at the LIMA Awards Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, announced the arrival of Sinach's first child, five years after her marriage.[22]

Musical career

As a child, Sinach stated she had dreams, where she saw herself singing to large crowds, but didn't actively pursue anything musically as a career besides joining the choir, and also working as an administrative staff in the Church. Sinach had written many songs before she released her first album, Chapter One in 2008.[23] Her song 'This Is Your Season' won the Song of the Year award in 2008.

Speaking on how she came by her stage name Sinach, she said: "I chose that from my name Osinachi because it is easy to pronounce and catchy".[24]

In 2016, Sinach was the first recipient of the LIMA Songwriter of the Decade Award, recognizing her contribution to gospel music in the previous decade. Her songs were being sung in many countries, [25] translated to many languages, around the world.[26] That same year, she received the African Achievers' Award for Global Excellence.[27] Also that same year, for the second time in a row,[28] she won the Western Africa Artist of the Year by Groove Awards in Kenya, and was listed by YNaija alongside Chris Oyakhilome, Enoch Adeboye as one of the Top 100 Influential Christians in Nigeria.[29]

As a songwriter, Sinach has written over 200 songs and won several awards. Her song 'This Is Your Season' won the Song of the Year award in 2008. One of her most popular songs is 'I Know Who I Am'.[30]

Performance

Sinach has performed and headlined concerts in over 50 countries[31] including Kenya, Dominica, South Africa, United States, Canada, Antigua & Barbuda, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Grenada, Uganda, Barbados, The British Virgin Islands, Zambia, Saint Maarten, the United Kingdom and India[32]

Sinach being welcomed in Uganda to perform on 15 April 2014

Albums
  • 2008: Chapter One
  • 2010: I'm Blessed
  • 2012: Shout it Loud
  • 2012: From Glory to Glory
  • 2013: Sinach at Christmas
  • 2014: Sinach Live in Concert – The Name of Jesus
  • 2016: Waymaker – Live
  • 2018: There's an Overflow
  • 2019: Great God (Live in London)

Awards and nominations
  • 2016 LIMA Songwriter of the Decade Award[25]
  • 2016 Groove Awards Western Africa Artist of the Year[29]
  • 2016 African Achievers' Award for Global Excellence[27]
  • Top 100 Influential Christians in Nigeria.[29]
  • 2019 LIMA Song of the Year[33][34]
  • 2020 Dove Awards Song of the year[35][36]

See also

References
  1. https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/dove-awards-king-country-top-artist-73936832
  2. "Who is Sinach". Daily Media. DailyMedia Nigeria. 26 May 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  3. "Sinach". 9999CarolSingers. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  4. Clarks, Jessie. "Sinach Named Top Christian Songwriter For Twelve Weeks In A Row". TheChristianBeat.org. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  5. "Biography of Top Nigerian Gospel Singers". Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  6. Sinach. "Biography". sinach.org. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  7. Uzonna Anele (28 October 2020). "Top 10 Most Viewed Nigerian Music Videos on Youtube (Updated: 2020)". Listwand. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  8. Adewojumi Aderemi (3 July 2019). "Sinach's 'Way Maker' Has Now Reached over 100 Million Views On YouTube". Konbini Channels. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  9. "Sinach Set To Host 1st Edition Of Annual Mega Concert". Modern Ghana.
  10. Whitmore, Laura B. (31 January 2019). "Exclusive Premiere: Michael W. Smith Shares 'Waymaker' and Announces New Album, Awaken: The Surrounded Experience". Parade.
  11. "Leeland Announces Release of 'Better Word,' A New Live Album Out September 13". www.newreleasetoday.com.
  12. Windsor, Pam. "Michael W. Smith's Cover Of 'Waymaker' Becomes The Go-To Comfort Song In A Global Pandemic". Forbes. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  13. "SongSelect by CCLI". songselect.ccli.com. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  14. "'Way Maker' reaches top spot in 'Christian Copyright Licensing International'". UG Christian News. 24 July 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  15. "Sinach honoured with "Bethelehem Hall Of Faith" Certificate of Commemoration". SINACH. 11 December 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  16. Published. "Sinach takes India". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
  17. Nebianet Usaini (6 May 2020). "Sinach Becomes First African To Top Billboard 'Christian Songwriters' Chart". Channels TV. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  18. Claudia E. Dianou, Voici tout ce qu'il faut connaitre de la figure de proue du Gospel africain Sinach, beninwebtv.com, Benin, 16 March 2019
  19. Bonface Nyaga, 'I know who I am' – Sinach, nairobinews.nation.co.ke, Kenya, 4 December 2016
  20. Naledi Sande, Nigerian singer Sinach to perform in Harare, herald.co.zw, Zimbabwe, 7 September 2016
  21. Olusola Ricketts (12 August 2018). "I don't mind my gospel music being played in nightclubs – Sinach". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  22. Praise, Olowe; Sunday, Akpan (17 November 2019). "Sinach welcomes first child five years after". The nation.
  23. Isaac, Gospel Singer Sinach Set For The Altar, pulse.ng, Nigeria, 13 June 2014
  24. "Sinach set to rock London". African Voice. UK. 5 January 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  25. daman Joshua Olayinka Bunmi. "Osinachi Kalu "Sinach", An Extraordinary Nigerian Star". konnectafrica.net. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  26. Loveworld News (22 November 2016). "Gospel Artiste Sinach honored with Song Writer of the Decade". Loveworld Music TV. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  27. Iheoma Hendy (2016). "Winners 2016 African Achievers Awards". Buzz Nigeria. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  28. Groove Awards (12 December 2015). "Groove 2015 Winners". Groove Awards. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  29. Tolu (1 May 2017). "Yemi Osinbajo, Poju Oyemade, Chioma Jesus and more – See list of 100 Most Influential People in Christian Ministry in Nigeria". Ynaija. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  30. "Biography Of Gospel Award Winning Songwriter, Vocalist & Singer Sinach – Daily Mail Nigeria". dailymedia.com.ng. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  31. "Sinach". Spotify. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  32. "Sinach hold live concert in Uganda – Wazobians". wazobians.com. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  33. "Gospel singer, Sinach welcomes 1st child at 46". Pulse Nigeria. 19 November 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  34. Nigeria, Online (18 November 2019). "Loveworld Music Awards (LIMA 2019) Beats All Expectations". OnlineNigeria.com. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  35. Dove Awards (30 October 2020). "The 51st Annual GMA Dove Awards". Dove Awards. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  36. Associated Press (31 October 2020). "Dove Awards name for KING & COUNTRY top artist". Washington Post. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
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