Like their secular counterparts, gospel artistes have challenges when it comes to getting airplay on Jamaica’s main radio stations.
There are five radio stations dedicated solely to the promotion of gospel music locally, namely NCU FM, Love 101 FM, Gospel JA, The Breath of Change (TBC), and Omega Radio. Three of them figured prominently on the recent All-Media Survey conducted by Market Research Limited.
Perry InChrist, who has been doing gospel music for over two years, finds it challenging to get airplay for his music.
In an interview with the Jamaica Observer at the October 7 Sterling Gospel Music Awards held at Swallowfield Chapel in Kingston, Perry InChrist, who was nominated in the Breakout Artiste of the Year category, spoke about these challenges.
“I can definitely identify a number of radio stations, secular ones and ones of the faith who play gospel music. But from a general standpoint, I don’t think gospel music gets the support that it should be getting in a Christian country like ours,” he said. “I think we need to support positive music that produce positive messages because we have been crying for it as a nation. But when artistes do produce, when producers do produce that said music, it is as if it’s shelved. So I think there’s more to be done where airplay is concerned.”
Perry InChrist suggests that Jamaica’s most powerful body play a role in gospel artistes getting more airtime.
“I think the Government needs to step in and ensure that this type of music reaches the airwaves,” he stated.
Perry InChrist (real name Perry Cummings) is a final-year politics student at The University of the West Indies. He is from Kitson Town in Spanish Town. His latest single, Hiding Place, produced by Bull Puss Entertainment, was released in April.
Multi-award winning sibling trio Levy’s Heritage have been together for almost 18 years and have similar concerns about airplay.
“Yes, it’s definitely a challenge getting airplay from the secular stations because our music is a little bit different. We have a song called Champion and it leans more to the motivational side of things. Yet it wouldn’t get the traction as other types of music. But, you know, we appreciate the platforms that we have, so big up Love 101, Gospel JA, TBC, Omega Radio, NCU, and Kool FM. It’s challenging, but we really can’t complain,” said Oshin Levy.
Oshane Mais, who released an EP titled Overcome in 2020, admitted that he at times felt like giving up due to the seeming lack of radio support.
“At times you want to throw in the towel, but when you see others inspired by your work, you’re motivated to carry on,” said Mais, who was also nominated for Breakout Artiste of the Year.
Meanwhile, Seventh-day Adventist acapella group H.U.M.B.L.E. (Hearts United Minds Bonded in Love for Eternity) released an album on October 1 titled DECALOGUE: The Heartwork, which has struggled to get a lot of love on local radio.
“Yes, we do have challenges getting airplay. I’d say we are in the embryonic stage of our career, however, we do believe that it’s important as a society to support gospel music because it is one of the elements that are injecting positivity into the society,” said group member Chevaughn Walker.
This year, H.U.M.B.L.E. received its second nomination for Group of the Year in the Sterling Gospel Music Awards.
Group member Jace Lawes reasoned that artistes being creative could provide a wind of change.
“From the artistes’ perspective, creativity could help. Let us continue to appeal, not just to our own [people in gospel] but to others out there. We’re appealing to those in radioland to support us, give us a chance to show the people the talent that we have.”
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