Sinach

Sinach
Sinach in Johannesburg, 2016
Sinach performing at Mosaiek Theatre in Johannesburg 2016
Background information
Birth nameOsinachi Kalu
Born (1972-03-30) 30 March 1972 (age 52)
OriginAfikpo South, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • worship leader
InstrumentVocals
Years active1994–present
Labels
  • Loveworld
  • SLIC
Website

Osinachi Kalu Okoro Egbu,[1] known professionally as Sinach, (born 30 March 1972) is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and senior worship leader, serving in this capacity for over 30 years.[2][3] She is the first singer-songwriter to top the Billboard Christian Songwriter chart for 12 weeks in a row.[4] Her song "Way Maker" received three nominations and won the Song of the Year at the 51st GMA Dove Awards, making her the first Nigerian to win the Award.[5] She also won the BMI song of the year, and in 2021 was recognized by the US Congress while on tour in the United States of America.[6][7]

She has released 9 studio albums with several other hit songs, including "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".[8][9]

"Way Maker" has also piled up many recognition and awards since it was released in 2015. The visuals for Way Maker is currently the second most watched Nigerian music video on YouTube.[10] In March 2019, it became the third Nigerian video to have garnered 100 million views on YouTube behind Davido's "Fall" and Yemi Alade's "Johnny".[11] "Way Maker" has been covered by over 60 Christian artists such as Michael W. Smith, Darlene Zschech, Leeland, Bethel Music, and Mandisa and in many languages.[12][13][14] In the first few weeks of the Coronavirus pandemic and lockdown in 2020, Way Maker was the go to song, as several viral videos in hospitals, parks were made with large numbers of people singing the song.[15] After being on the Christian Copyright Licensing International top 100 chart for several months in 2020, it claimed the No. 1 position in June and had remained so till December 2020, making it the most played song in churches across the United States for 2020.[16][17]

Sinach received a Bethlehem Hall of Faith certificate of commemoration during her visit to Israel in December 2017.[18] In September 2019, Sinach became the first gospel artist from Africa to tour India, headlining concerts with several thousands in attendance.[19] In May 2020, she became the first African artist to top the Billboard Christian Songwriters chart.[20] In July 2022, she joined the Grammy Recording Academy as a voting member. [21][22]

In February 2023, the government of the Commonwealth of Dominica awarded Sinach as global ambassador, via a letter signed by the Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit.[23]

  1. ^ "Dove Awards name for King & Country top artist". ABC News.
  2. ^ "Who is Sinach". Daily Media. DailyMedia Nigeria. 26 May 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  3. ^ "Sinach". 9999CarolSingers. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  4. ^ Clarks, Jessie (5 June 2020). "Sinach Named Top Christian Songwriter For Twelve Weeks In A Row". TheChristianBeat.org. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  5. ^ "2020 Dove Awards: Sinach's Way Maker emerges song of the Year". Vanguard News. 3 November 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  6. ^ "Sinach gets US Congress recognition". Businessday NG. 4 October 2021. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  7. ^ "Sinach teams up with friends for annual concert". 4 October 2021. Retrieved 4 October 2021 – via ((The_Punch )).
  8. ^ "Biography of Top Nigerian Gospel Singers". Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  9. ^ Sinach. "Biography". sinach.org. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  10. ^ Uzonna Anele (28 October 2020). "Top 10 Most Viewed Nigerian Music Videos on Youtube (Updated: 2020)". Listwand. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  11. ^ Adewojumi Aderemi (3 July 2019). "Sinach's 'Way Maker' Has Now Reached over 100 Million Views On YouTube". Konbini Channels. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  12. ^ "Sinach Set To Host 1st Edition Of Annual Mega Concert". Modern Ghana.
  13. ^ Whitmore, Laura B. (31 January 2019). "Exclusive Premiere: Michael W. Smith Shares 'Waymaker' and Announces New Album, Awaken: The Surrounded Experience". Parade.
  14. ^ "Leeland Announces Release of 'Better Word,' A New Live Album Out September 13". www.newreleasetoday.com.
  15. ^ Windsor, Pam. "Michael W. Smith's Cover Of 'Waymaker' Becomes The Go-To Comfort Song In A Global Pandemic". Forbes. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  16. ^ "SongSelect by CCLI". songselect.ccli.com. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  17. ^ "'Way Maker' reaches top spot in 'Christian Copyright Licensing International'". UG Christian News. 24 July 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  18. ^ "Sinach honoured with "Bethelehem Hall Of Faith" Certificate of Commemoration". Sinach. 11 December 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  19. ^ "Sinach takes India". Punch Newspapers. 6 October 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
  20. ^ Nebianet Usaini (6 May 2020). "Sinach Becomes First African To Top Billboard 'Christian Songwriters' Chart". Channels TV. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  21. ^ Okogba, Emmanuel (4 July 2022). "Sinach joins Grammy Recording Academy as voting member". Vanguard News. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  22. ^ Rapheal (8 July 2022). "Excitement as Sinach becomes Grammy voting member". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  23. ^ Eleanya, Frank (9 February 2023). "Sinach appointed as Global Ambassador of Commonwealth of Dominica". Businessday NG. Retrieved 10 February 2023.