New Album
Writing Songs and Backstory of the Album: My Journey Through Faith
So, back when I was a little kid, I was so interested in these talent shows like the X Factor, Britain’s Got Talent and The Voice. I, all of a sudden, got a downright humongous opportunity to perform at Autism’s Got Talent at the Mermaid Theatre in London on the 12th of May 2018 and I continued until St Ives in 2019. So after I got the equipment to help me make music, my mum was really convincing me to write a song. I was like, “For real?” That seemed like a big deal. Also, when I finished writing the song, I was full of tears of joy. That was a magical moment for me because the song I wrote “Even Though We Have Autism” really spoke to me as an autistic person and to everyone else with autism. I even performed that specific song at Autism’s Got Talent at St Ives 2019! They loved it!
One year after that in 2020, I wrote “Kill The Corona” and Alphie thought of going for a Stormzy vibe on this one and I must say, it just blew me away. We’ve even been doing a music video and when I saw it, I was like, this is surreal! Later during the year, I received a first place award at KS3 Poetry from the 2020 National Creative Awards (Engage in the Future) which I was extraordinarily grateful for!
Then in 2021, my friend Lewis Brayne was interested in making music, so he would ask to me to make instrumentals for his music. After some time, me and him collaborated in a song that won a first place Team of the Year award from the 2021 National Awards (Engage in the Future) and that was also the best thing that we could ever receive!
After I released the song “Kill the Corona” I hit a writer’s block trying to figure out what other songs I could write because my friends have been dying for more music from me!
Also, yearly I would go to Swaziland for the summer holiday, but of course, quarantine said “VETO!” But in August 2022, we could finally go to Swaziland for holiday! Just from that moment alone, being with my family, I felt I finally made it through and that right there could also lead to how I started making my album: My Journey Through Faith. So like I said, the idea pretty much started during my holiday in August 2022, then when I got back to the UK, I got evicted from a flat in Bedminster where my mum and I used to live. The landlord wanted the flat back for his use. So clearly, we had to move, so here we are in Hengrove, Bristol!
When I moved house, the desire of writing more music of the experience just grew! I originally planned it to be an EP, short and sweet, but my Uncle said “VETO! Make it an album!” And I’m like, “OK, I’ll see what I can do!”
So, I tried to write more songs based on my experience and my spirituality and was inspired by many artists.
My Artist Influences
William McDowell
Travis Greene
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Israel Houghton
Darlene Zschech
Todd Galberth
Elevation Worship
Hillsong
Maverick City
Jonathan McReynolds
Terrell Grice (YouTuber)
Joyous Celebration
Spirit of Praise
and more...
They inspired me in doing what I do!
About the Songs
Made It Through
So the very first song I wrote for the album was “Made It Through” and it (again) refers back to August 2022 when I didn’t think I would go back to Swaziland for holiday but I finally got back. Also when I moved house, I did not think it would be possible but look, I now live next to my cousin’s house in Knowle! Just look at God and see what He can do. It’s fantastic and He’s fantastic!
Oh Jesus
Now that we are at this subject, I might as well give a backstory for the other songs on my album. I will talk about “Oh Jesus” next. There is a song by Israel Houghton called “Jesus The Same” and that’s where I got the inspiration to do a similar song as a starter for my album. It’s a really great song talking about how Jesus brought me through all the things that happened in my life and if He did it before, He is God enough to do it again! It is so good!
Fresh New Start
Next, I will talk about the song “Fresh New Start”. That song talks about going to the altar and asking God to renew my heart, soul and spirit. All of the things that I went through, I have been carrying a lot of weight and this song really helps me go to the altar and offer everything I have unto God! Even the bridge is so powerful, not only because it rhymes but also because it just sounds like the words of a prayer! It’s so amazing!
Your Presence
Next, I will talk about the song “Your Presence” The first person I called to help me with this song is Goodness (my cousin next door). She is currently in my Youth Church group and she has vocals to spare! During the winter holidays, I had my cousins come over for a Christmas Celebration and they absolutely loved the song! Few days after, I went to Alphie’s studio to re-record the vocals for all the songs and I gave my cousins the massive opportunity of being on my song “Your Presence” now featuring Goodness, Tiyandza and Tema! They absolutely delivered what needed to be delivered and I am just over the moon from the experience! It was even an endeavour to say the least!
Sense of Direction
Next, there is this song “Sense Of Direction”. I thought maybe I would keep this song on the down-low just a bit and maybe take this song as a moment of worship and asking God “where should I go, next?” Because clearly, from what I tasted and seen, I need God and this song should hopefully do the same of others. Again, when I was in Alphie’s studio, my cousins absolutely did what needed to be done with those background vocals and Tema helped me on the bridge and she was amazing!
'Tis So Sweet to Trust In Jesus
Next, there is this song (or rather hymn) “Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus”. I thought, since this would be a gospel album, we would go back to the old days in Church where they would sing these hymns. I was looking for a hymn about trust and this one absolutely met my needs! I have tasted and seen his grace come down upon me as I trusted him with everything in my life. I also needed help for this song and it was none other than, Reverend Musa Kunene! You know my Uncle who let me stay in Bristol, he has got that churchy voice for an old school hymn like this and it was brilliant! To be honest, that’s the only way of putting it!
Living in the Promises
The next song was “Living In The Promises” and I will say for this album, I was experimenting with different genres in Christian music so I went for a little bit of a radio pop song on this one and it really spoke about standing on his promises and trusting God for what is ahead! I also rapped a few bars here and there and it sounds so good!
Walk In It
The next song is “Walk In It” and it kind of comes back to the song “Living In The Promises”. That song is like “Living In The Promises 2.0!” Anyway, I wrote that song from a sermon by Steven Furtick and a lot of the time, we pray to God asking Him for these miracles and promises and then we have this tendency to wait on Him but sometimes, you actually have to prepare yourself and walk in it. I believe Steven said “It is not the Path TO Peace but it is the Path OF Peace.” That absolutely hit me! Again, I needed help and Goodness was the right one to help me on that bridge! It is such a simple bridge:
“When I feel like I lost it all
When I feel like I’m gonna fall
I know my God has promised me
That His work will be done in me.”
That song absolutely slaps!
Lord Jesus, You're the King
The next song was “Lord Jesus, You’re The King” and that was a moment of worship and giving God glory for the great things that He has done and all the great things that He is. It’s not just for me but it is for everyone! Musically, I tried to make it sound majestic with the strings and bells and I believe it came to good use!
Glory to Your Name
And last but not least, we have “Glory To Your Name” with an added intro. I thought to myself, “Since this is a gospel album, I might as well put a little praise break and get the people moving and praising God!” Clearly, I got inspiration from churches all across America with the
-
Tambourines
-
Clapping hands
-
Very fast drums
-
Complex gospel chords
All of that good stuff! It was amazing!
So that’s every song on the album and I pray and I hope that you will be blessed, encouraged, inspired, and motivated from the album and I believe that one day, what it is that you want to achieve, you will make it through, in Jesus Name, amen!
Conclusion
So that should cover everything about me and I like to thank my mum, my dad, my family, my school, my music teacher & mentor Alphie, my church, my social media support and of course the Lord God Almighty Himself, for helping me get to where I am now and I hope to do more of these later on! With that said, I will see you later! Peace, God bless you, goodbye!