Sinach
Osinachi Joseph (née Kalu), known professionally as Sinach, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and senior worship leader at Loveworld.[1][2] She has released several gospel hit songs, including "Way Maker", "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".[3][4] Sinach received a Bethlehem Hall of Faith certificate of commemoration during her visit to Israel in December 2017.[5]
Sinach | |
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Sinach performing at Mosaiek Theatre in Johannesburg 2016 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Osinachi Kalu |
Born | 30 March 1973 |
Origin | Afikpo South, Ebonyi State, Nigeria |
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
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Instruments | Vocals |
Years active | 1994–present |
Labels |
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Website | sinach |
In March 2019, the visuals for "Way Maker" became the third Nigerian video to garnered 100 million views on YouTube behind Davido's "Fall" and Yemi Alade's Johnny".[6] "Way Maker" has been covered by multiple Christian artists such as Michael W. Smith, Darlene Zschech, Leeland, Bethel Music, and Mandisa.[7][8][9] In September 2019, Sinach became the first gospel artist from Africa to tour India, headlining concerts with several thousands in attendance.[10]
In May 2020, she became the first African artist to top the Billboard Christian Songwriters chart.[11]
Biography
Early life
Sinach hails from Ebonyi State, Eastern Nigeria, and is the second daughter of seven children.[12]
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.[13] She studied Physics and graduated from the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.[14] She considered relocating from Nigeria after her University education, but was advised against it by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome.[15]
Personal life
In 2014, Sinach married Mr. 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, five years after her marriage.[16]
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.[17] 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”.[18]
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, [19] translated to many languages, around the world.[20] That same year, she received the African Achievers' Award for Global Excellence.[21] Also that same year, for the second time in a row,[22] 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.[23]
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'.[24]
Performance
Sinach has performed and headlined concerts in over 50 countries [25] 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 [26]
Albums
- 2008: Chapter One
- 2010: I'm Blessed
- 2012: Shout it Loud
- 2012: From Glory to Glory
- 2013: Sinach at Christmas
- 2014: Sinach Live in Concert - The Name of Jesus
- 2016: Waymaker - Live
- 2018: There's an Overflow
- 2019: Great God (Live in London)
Awards and nominations
- 2016 LIMA Songwriter of the Decade Award[19]
- 2016 Groove Awards Western Africa Artist Of The Year [23]
- 2016 African Achievers' Award for Global Excellence[21]
- Top 100 Influential Christians in Nigeria.[23]
- 2019 LIMA Song of the Year [27][28]
See also
References
- "Who is Sinach". Daily Media. DailyMedia Nigeria. 26 May 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
- "Sinach". 9999CarolSingers. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
- "Biography of Top Nigerian Gospel Singers". Retrieved 3 June 2014.
- Sinach. "Biography". sinach.org. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
- "Sinach honoured with "Bethelehem Hall Of Faith" Certificate of Commemoration". SINACH. 11 December 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
- Adewojumi Aderemi (3 July 2019). "Sinach's 'Way Maker' Has Now Reached 100 Million Views On YouTube". Konbini Channels. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
- "Sinach Set To Host 1st Edition Of Annual Mega Concert". Modern Ghana.
- Whitmore, Laura B. (31 January 2019). "Exclusive Premiere: Michael W. Smith Shares 'Waymaker' and Announces New Album, Awaken: The Surrounded Experience". Parade.
- "Leeland Announces Release of 'Better Word,' A New Live Album Out September 13". www.newreleasetoday.com.
- Published. "Sinach takes India". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
- Nebianet Usaini (6 May 2020). "Sinach Becomes First African To Top Billboard 'Christian Songwriters' Chart". Channels TV. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
- Claudia E. Dianou, Voici tout ce qu’il faut connaitre de la figure de proue du Gospel africain Sinach, beninwebtv.com, Benin, March 16, 2019
- Bonface Nyaga, ‘I know who I am’ – Sinach, nairobinews.nation.co.ke, Kenya, December 4, 2016
- Naledi Sande, Nigerian singer Sinach to perform in Harare, herald.co.zw, Zimbabwe, September 7, 2016
- Olusola Ricketts (12 August 2018). "I don't mind my gospel music being played in nightclubs – Sinach". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
- Praise, Olowe; Sunday, Akpan (17 November 2019). "Sinach welcomes first child five years after". The nation.
- Isaac, Gospel Singer Sinach Set For The Altar, pulse.ng, Nigeria, June 13, 2014
- Africanvoice, Sinach set to rock London, africanvoiceonline.co.uk, UK, January 5, 2018
- daman Joshua Olayinka Bunmi. "Osinachi Kalu "Sinach", An Extraordinary Nigerian Star". konnectafrica.net. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
- Loveworld News (22 November 2016). "Gospel Artiste Sinach honored with Song Writer of the Decade". Loveworld Music TV. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
- Iheoma Hendy (2016). "Winners 2016 African Achievers Awards". Buzz Nigeria. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
- Groove Awards (12 December 2015). "Groove 2015 Winners". Groove Awards. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
- 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.
- "Biography Of Gospel Award Winning Songwriter, Vocalist & Singer Sinach – Daily Mail Nigeria". dailymedia.com.ng. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
- "Sinach". Spotify. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
- "Sinach hold live concert in Uganda - Wazobians". wazobians.com. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
- "Gospel singer, Sinach welcomes 1st child at 46". Pulse Nigeria. 19 November 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
- Nigeria, Online (18 November 2019). "Loveworld Music Awards (LIMA 2019) Beats All Expectations". OnlineNigeria.com. Retrieved 23 November 2019.