Sinach

Osinachi Kalu Okoro Egbu,[1] known professionally as Sinach, (born 30 March 1972) is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and senior worship leader, serving in this capacity for over 30 years.[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" received three nominations and won the Song of the Year at the 51st GMA Dove Awards, making her the first Nigerian to win the Award.[5] She also won the BMI song of the year, and in 2021 was recognized by the US Congress while on tour in the United States of America.[6][7]

Sinach
Sinach in Johannesburg, 2016
Sinach performing at Mosaiek Theatre in Johannesburg 2016
Background information
Birth nameOsinachi Kalu
Born (1972-03-30) 30 March 1972
OriginAfikpo South, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • worship leader
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active1994–present
Labels
  • Loveworld
  • SLIC
Website

She has released 9 studio albums with several other hit songs, including "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".[8][9]

"Way Maker" has also 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.[10] In March 2019, it became the third Nigerian video to have garnered 100 million views on YouTube behind Davido's "Fall" and Yemi Alade's Johnny".[11] "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.[12][13][14] 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.[15] 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.[16][17]

Sinach received a Bethlehem Hall of Faith certificate of commemoration during her visit to Israel in December 2017.[18] In September 2019, Sinach became the first gospel artist from Africa to tour India, headlining concerts with several thousands in attendance.[19] In May 2020, she became the first African artist to top the Billboard Christian Songwriters chart.[20] In July 2022, she joined the Grammy Recording Academy as a voting member. [21][22]

In February 2023, the government of the Commonwealth of Dominica awarded Sinach as global ambassador, via a letter signed by the Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit.[23]

Biography

Early life

Sinach hails from Ebonyi State, Eastern Nigeria, and is the second daughter of seven children.[24]

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.[25] She studied physics and graduated from the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.[26] She considered relocating from Nigeria after her University education, but was advised against it by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome.[27]

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 Rhoda.[28]

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.[29] 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".[30]

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, [31] translated to many languages, around the world.[32] That same year, she received the African Achievers' Award for Global Excellence.[33] Also that same year, for the second time in a row,[34] 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.[35]

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'.[36]

Performance

Sinach has performed and headlined concerts in over 50 countries[37] 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.[38]

Sinach also performed in her home country in experience hosted by the Senior Pastor of the Metropolitan House on the Rock churches, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, also she performed in annual Women on the Winning Edge Conference hosted by Funke Felix-Adejumo.[39][40]

Sinach being welcomed in Uganda to perform on 15 April 2014

In one of the recent chats with music journalist Motolani Alake of Pulse Nigeria, Sinach reveals how God arrested her into gospel ministration through Pastor Chris Oyakhilome's anointing.[41]

On 22 December 2020, at the third ceremony of African Entertainment Awards USA, she won the Best Gospel Artist award.[42]

Philanthropy

Sinach and her husband launched the Joseph and Sinach Foundation which had its first medical outreach in Abia State, Nigeria in collaboration with Emzor Pharmaceuticals and the State Government. The initiative provided free healthcare to 700 persons.[43]

Albums

In February 2021, Sinach announced the release of her 12th Studio album, titled, GREATEST LORD which features several high profiled Gospel artists such as Maranda Curtis, Darlene Zschech, Nathaniel Bassey, Panam Percy Paul, Micah Stampley, Leeland and Jekalyn Carr.[44]

YEAR OF RELEASEALBUM[45] [46]TYPE OF RECORDING
2007Chapter OneStudio Album
2010I'm BlessedStudio Album
2011From Glory to GloryLive
2012Shout it LoudLive
2013Sinach at ChristmasStudio Album
2014The Name of JesusLive
2016Way MakerSingle
2018There's an OverflowLive
2019Great God – Live in LondonLive
2020Acoustics – Volume 1Acoustics
2020Acoustics – Volume 2Acoustics
2021Greatest Lord[47]Studio
2021Live At EasterLive

Awards and nominations
  • 2016 LIMA Songwriter of the Decade Award[31]
  • 2016 Groove Awards Western Africa Artist of the Year[35]
  • 2016 African Achievers' Award for Global Excellence[33]
  • Top 100 Influential Christians in Nigeria.[35]
  • 2019 LIMA Song of the Year[48][49]
  • 2020 Sinach Has Been Named Among Africa's Most Influential Women[50]
  • 2020 Dove Awards Song of the year[51][52]

See also

References
  1. "Dove Awards name for King & Country top artist". ABC News.
  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 (5 June 2020). "Sinach Named Top Christian Songwriter For Twelve Weeks In A Row". TheChristianBeat.org. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  5. "2020 Dove Awards: Sinach's Way Maker emerges song of the Year". Vanguard News. 3 November 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  6. "Sinach gets US Congress recognition". Businessday NG. 4 October 2021. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  7. "Sinach teams up with friends for annual concert". 4 October 2021. Retrieved 4 October 2021 – via ((The_Punch )).
  8. "Biography of Top Nigerian Gospel Singers". Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  9. Sinach. "Biography". sinach.org. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  10. Uzonna Anele (28 October 2020). "Top 10 Most Viewed Nigerian Music Videos on Youtube (Updated: 2020)". Listwand. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  11. Adewojumi Aderemi (3 July 2019). "Sinach's 'Way Maker' Has Now Reached over 100 Million Views On YouTube". Konbini Channels. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  12. "Sinach Set To Host 1st Edition Of Annual Mega Concert". Modern Ghana.
  13. Whitmore, Laura B. (31 January 2019). "Exclusive Premiere: Michael W. Smith Shares 'Waymaker' and Announces New Album, Awaken: The Surrounded Experience". Parade.
  14. "Leeland Announces Release of 'Better Word,' A New Live Album Out September 13". www.newreleasetoday.com.
  15. Windsor, Pam. "Michael W. Smith's Cover Of 'Waymaker' Becomes The Go-To Comfort Song In A Global Pandemic". Forbes. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  16. "SongSelect by CCLI". songselect.ccli.com. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  17. "'Way Maker' reaches top spot in 'Christian Copyright Licensing International'". UG Christian News. 24 July 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  18. "Sinach honoured with "Bethelehem Hall Of Faith" Certificate of Commemoration". Sinach. 11 December 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  19. "Sinach takes India". Punch Newspapers. 6 October 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
  20. Nebianet Usaini (6 May 2020). "Sinach Becomes First African To Top Billboard 'Christian Songwriters' Chart". Channels TV. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  21. Okogba, Emmanuel (4 July 2022). "Sinach joins Grammy Recording Academy as voting member". Vanguard News. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  22. Rapheal (8 July 2022). "Excitement as Sinach becomes Grammy voting member". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  23. Eleanya, Frank (9 February 2023). "Sinach appointed as Global Ambassador of Commonwealth of Dominica". Businessday NG. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  24. 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
  25. Bonface Nyaga, 'I know who I am' – Sinach, nairobinews.nation.co.ke, Kenya, 4 December 2016
  26. Naledi Sande, Nigerian singer Sinach to perform in Harare, herald.co.zw, Zimbabwe, 7 September 2016
  27. Olusola Ricketts (12 August 2018). "I don't mind my gospel music being played in nightclubs – Sinach". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  28. "Sinach Daughter - name, age, photos - Insidegistblog". insidegistblog.com. 27 January 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  29. Isaac, Gospel Singer Sinach Set For The Altar, pulse.ng, Nigeria, 13 June 2014
  30. "Sinach set to rock London". African Voice. UK. 5 January 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  31. daman Joshua Olayinka Bunmi (11 July 2014). "Osinachi Kalu "Sinach", An Extraordinary Nigerian Star". konnectafrica.net. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  32. Loveworld News (22 November 2016). "Gospel Artiste Sinach honored with Song Writer of the Decade". Loveworld Music TV. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  33. Iheoma Hendy (2016). "Winners 2016 African Achievers Awards". Buzz Nigeria. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  34. Groove Awards (12 December 2015). "Groove 2015 Winners". Groove Awards. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  35. 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.
  36. "Biography Of Gospel Award Winning Songwriter, Vocalist & Singer Sinach – Daily Mail Nigeria". dailymedia.com.ng. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  37. "Sinach". Spotify. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  38. "Sinach hold live concert in Uganda – Wazobians". wazobians.com. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  39. "Winning Edge 2022: Funke Felix-Adejumo hosts Nathaniel Bassey, Ebenezer, Sinach, others". Vanguard News. 8 January 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  40. "Moen, Sinach, others for The Experience". Punch Newspapers. 24 November 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  41. Gist, Yinka. "How God Arrested Me Through Pastor Chris Oyakhilome". GYOnlineNG.COM. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  42. Ilado, Lucy (22 December 2020). "Africa Entertainment Awards USA 2020: All the winners". Music In Africa.
  43. Ikokwu, Ogbonnaya (22 August 2023). "Otti hails free medical outreach in Abia, commends foundation". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  44. "Sinach reveals all-star lineup for new album". Breaking news on Christianity in Uganda and World. 17 February 2021. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  45. "Sinach on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  46. "Download Latest Sinach Songs 2020 / 2021 » Gospel Songs MP3". Gospel Songs MP3. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  47. "Acclaimed writer Sinach releases new album 'Greatest Lord'". Niagara Frontier Publications. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  48. "Gospel singer, Sinach welcomes 1st child at 46". Pulse Nigeria. 19 November 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  49. "Loveworld Music Awards (LIMA 2019) Beats All Expectations". OnlineNigeria.com. 18 November 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  50. "Sinach has been named among Africa's Most influential Women".
  51. Dove Awards (30 October 2020). "The 51st Annual GMA Dove Awards". Dove Awards. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  52. "Dove Awards name for King & Country top artist". Washington Post. Associated Press. 31 October 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
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