New hope for Namibia’s gospel scene

After a recent visit to Namibia, Nigerian gospel musician Chubie Ujah says he plans to transform the local industry under his label Showgear Records.

Ujah believes he is leading a revolution in the gospel music scene, and says he aims to bring African tunes and messages to both local and global audiences.

He says he plans to restructure the continent’s gospel scene by fusing traditional African melodies with modern production techniques for both renowned and up-and-coming artists across Africa.

“But it doesn’t stop there. My vision is to extend beyond Africa, to take African gospel music to the international stage, collaborating with artists from Namibia, Zambia, the United States and beyond,” Ujah says.

Growing up, he says, his deep love for music found its first home in church choirs, where he started cultivating his musical talent.

“I grew up surrounded by the sounds of gospel music, and it has always spoken to my soul,” he says.

Following his passion for music, he went on to study sound production with the SAE Creative Media Institute in Cape Town and further pursued a degree in music business at a university in England.

In 2020, Ujah joined Showgear Records, a platform he saw as an opportunity to empower African gospel artists and share their music with the world.

“When I joined Showgear, I knew this was the place where I could make a real difference. African gospel music has so much potential: it’s powerful, soulful, and it needs to be heard,” he says.

Under Ujah’s leadership, Showgear Records has become a home for gospel acts in Africa, including David Dam, E-Daniels, and Folabi Nuel, as well as up-and-coming stars Maranatha Goroh and Pride Panashe from Namibia.

Ujah says his ability to mix traditional African sounds with contemporary gospel has helped make the genre accessible to younger generations, while maintaining its deep spiritual and cultural roots.

“We’re not just about making music. We’re about creating something that resonates with the past, the present and the future,” he says.

Some of the artists under the Showgear banner have complimented Ujah’s distinctive approach.

“Chubie’s ability to push boundaries while staying true to the heart of gospel music is a rare gift,” says Nigerian gospel artist Folabi Nuel.

During the 2021 Hunger Live Tour, unique gospel music was taken to Namibia and Zambia by Nuel, followed by the Yeshua Experience Tour, which featured David Dam and E-Daniels in southern African countries like Namibia, Zambia and South Africa.

“These tours have helped cement Showgear’s position as a key player in the global gospel scene,” the singer says.

Ujah says 2025 is going to be a busy year because he will again collaborate with the best in the business, from Maranatha to D-Naff of Namibia.

“Our aim is to get Namibian gospel on the map,” Ujah says.

“A fresh and strong sound is what we have from Namibia, which the world cannot wait for.”