Cwasi Oteng to release new single - Kabiyesi

Award-winning Ghanaian gospel artiste, Cwesi Oteng, has finally hinted of upcoming singles after incessant calls for the multiple award-winning artiste to release new singles following the huge impact of his crossover hit song, ‘God Dey Bless Me’.

The talented artiste has won the hearts of many music lovers, grown an impressive fan base and broken many new grounds for gospel in Ghana and beyond with his mega hit single, ‘God Dey Bless Me’ ever since its release early this year.

However, there has been massive expectation all over from the artiste to release new songs with likewise huge potential as he builds up to the release of his highly anticipated Mercy Project album in September.

But the prolific Cwesi has been calm and revealed that he is under no pressure at all.

‘I know a lot of people are expecting equally hit songs from me just like God Dey Bless Me but I am under no pressure except to put finishing touches to my album which will be released via a grand concert on September 30. However, it will be fair to release some songs from the album before it is finally out so everyone should be on the lookout in a few days to come when ‘Kabiyesi’ hits radio first and later ‘Love Me So’,’ Cwesi explained.

The multiple award-winning artiste was expected to release the two singles on Monday, 20th August, but publishing issues which could not be concluded in time had to hold back the release. However, barring any drawbacks this time round fans should expect the hit praise anthem, ‘Kabiyesi’ first in a few days and ‘Love Me So’ in a week afterwards.

The new singles, ‘Kabiyesi’ and ‘Love Me So’, according to Cwesi’s management will spear head the promotion of his Mercy Project album which expected to drop in September via a grand release When released, music critics who have put Cwesi in a box with tags that describe him as a gospel hiphop artiste, gospel rock start or gospel R&B singer will be proved wrong as Cwesi’s versatility is creatively presented to the fore in the two singles which were recorded live in the studio with instrumentation and background vocals from his band and music team, Flo’Riva Incorporated, under his directions.

‘Kabiyesi’ means the unquestionable, unstoppable, unchallengeable and incomparable one in Yoruba, a native Nigerian language. The song is a groovy Ghana-Nigeria praise anthem that is set to get all dancing and in praise the Lord God Almighty. Creatively presented with a strong African touch and delivered via dynamic vocals, ‘Kabiyesi’ begins with a sentimental Akan appellation heralding the King of Kings. This then makes way for the hypnotic notes from live horns before Cwesi’s opening vocals (verses) in Twi and nicely arranged percussions.

Chorus in Yoruba, repeated verses and bridge in English by his backing vocals, mid-section appellations and then a catchy vamp in the end all add up to make ‘Kabiyesi’ an instant hit. ‘Love Me So’ on the other hand is a follow up to Cwesi’s ‘God Dey Bless Me’. It draws similar time signature from ‘God Dey Bless Me’ but evolves into a classic hip gospel tune on its own with a feature rap and lovely hook from the backing vocals. The song has Cwesi singing so passionately and surely guarantees it to be another radio hit. Also, typical of Cwesi’s songs, ‘Love Me So’ carries a deep message, about God’s love and salvation and personifies the sentiments of someone blown away by the work of Christ on the cross.

Cwesi Oteng’s ‘Mercy Project’ is one of the most anticipated albums of the year. The first prelude single off the album, ‘Mercy (But for Your Mercy)’, released in 2010 and its video later in that year have earned Cwesi massive recognition and raking in many awards including Best Gospel Video at the 2011 4Syte MVA and Best Lyrics for a 2011 Most Wanted Song at the Contemporary Gospel Music Awards.

The second single, ‘God Dey Bless Me’, is currently a radio hit all over Ghana breaking barriers for gospel music from Ghana on many African platforms resulting in its video winning Africa’s Video of the Year at the 2012 Africa Gospel Music Awards recently. ‘Kabiyesi’ and ‘Love Me So’ are the next big tunes from Cwesi before he releases his ‘Mercy Project’ album in September.