(July 1, 2019) Some of the best gospel music locates itself in that space between the sacred and the secular. Many of the genre’s most enduring performers delivered the gospel message through the musical arrangements commonly associated with secular genres such as blues, R&B, pop and hip-hop. Every now and then purists rail against incorporating worldly music into gospel, but that ship has essentially sailed. Honestly, that ship left port when Thomas Dorsey, the father of gospel music, moved from playing blues to playing religious music.
Bronx born and Fort Worth based singer/songwriter Sanni makes the kind of gospel music that an R&B or hip-hop lover can listen to and enjoy. His latest single, “Far Away,” combines acoustic guitar riffs with a slow, churning funk groove on the bass and church inspired organs. Vocally, Sanni comes from the neo-soul tradition that combines his soulful range with elements of hip-hop inspired R&B in his delivery.
(July 1, 2019) Some of the best gospel music locates itself in that space between the sacred and the secular. Many of the genre’s most enduring performers delivered the gospel message through the musical arrangements commonly associated with secular genres such as blues, R&B, pop and hip-hop. Every now and then purists rail against incorporating worldly music into gospel, but that ship has essentially sailed. Honestly, that ship left port when Thomas Dorsey, the father of gospel music, moved from playing blues to playing religious music.
Bronx born and Fort Worth based singer/songwriter Sanni makes the kind of gospel music that an R&B or hip-hop lover can listen to and enjoy. His latest single, “Far Away,” combines acoustic guitar riffs with a slow, churning funk groove on the bass and church inspired organs. Vocally, Sanni comes from the neo-soul tradition that combines his soulful range with elements of hip-hop inspired R&B in his delivery.
“Far Away” is among the new generation of gospel tunes in its rawness and realness. The tune is open about the questions and doubts that even the most devout Christians have to confront. In “Far Away,” Sanni engages in an honest conversation with God as he expresses how the challenges, travails and temptations that he faces leave him wondering his connection to heaven has been severed. The heartfelt lyrics come across both as a prayer and a plea. Check out the song and video here.
By Howard Dukes
Sanni - "Far Away"