I laughed when Brian first told me that the OG, Kaligraph Jones, has a gospel hit. I did not believe it until I watched ‘Msifu Bwana’ on YouTube. A tune I am still struggling to stop singing along. Brian never listens to gospel music. But this one has a charm for him. It’s transformed his playlist completely, introducing the likes of Hillsong and casting crowns. An Amazing Grace it’s become in our little home indeed. Imagine worshipping alongside the likes of Snoop Dog, Migos and Cardi B, inside those big churches where the worship team dresses like angels with the congregation raising their hands, eyes closed and the priest saying, “the presence of God is here!” Lat time I checked; His presence is everywhere! Anyhu!
Brian may be joining a cult. Yes, I said it. He may be joining a cult. A good one in this case.
Up until last week, he’d chant to cool reggae vibes, play a bit of Bob Marley and Lucky Dube occasionally. I know he loves the mighty culture and some other tunes that can make a baby sleep even before one track is over. Lullaby tunes. Funny enough, he dances to them. Like a drunk old man.
Concerned that he may be losing it or sending me an indirect goodbye, (I heard someone knows when their death is near and they start to bid loved one’s goodbye in unfamiliar ways) I asked him, “Brian, are you okay? What is with all this gospel playlists all a sudden?” He said he loves the calmness in gospel music, especially the instrumentals. That gospel music puts him in the right frame of mind to see through his daily tasks.
“Few weeks ago, ‘There is no end’, ‘One love’ and ‘Tenement Yard’ was setting the mood for you to face the day,”
“Alfy wewe you don’t get it!”
“Get what bro?”
“Reggae music has the message. But gospel music gives you peace!”
Like you, I also did not comprehend what he meant. Please ask him for me when you meet.
Today, I woke up and found him listening to ‘Nadeka’ by Guardian Angel, then it hit me. We partied so much in 2022 and declared 2023 the year we stop drinking alcohol. From where I come from, whenever you tell a friend “Nimewacha pombe!” the friend will ask you. “Umeiwacha wapi niendee?” Another friend may ask, “Kwa counter ama wapi?” But all in all, we made it clear that no drinking this year. So far so good, it has been working.
Am unsure if the changes in Brian’s playlist to gospel is because of our decree to stop drinking or because its January. Is our first resolution taking shape ama ni Njanuary at work?
‘Mungu wangu anapenda maskini na tajiri ana
Penda penda ndio maana mi na deka
Niko mikononi mwake
Kila kitu Kiko better’
If I wasn’t working from home today, am sure Brian would be singing and dancing to this tune, hands raised, and eyes closed.
Njanuary is midway through. I am waiting to see if by Valentine’s Day we will be back to the likes of ‘Weakness in me’ and ‘Give me the keys, give me the gate pass to your heart’. God is watching us! In His feet, we find refuge.
