You know what? As soon as you start talking about Nigerian gospel music, that actually hits different, Nathaniel Bassey’s name keeps coming up. And honestly? There’s a reason for it. His songs aren’t something you just have on in the background while you’re doing dishes. Or even feel nothing. These songs touch the soul, make you stop what you’re doing, and think about God. Been listening to his songs for years now, and I still catch myself finding layers I hadn’t seen before.
Top Nathaniel Bassey Songs
1. Imela (feat. Enitan Adaba)
2. Onise Iyanu (feat. Micah Stampley & Glorious Fountain Choir)
3. Olowogbogboro
4. Olorun Agbaye(You Are Mighty) (ft. Chandler Moore and Oba)
5. Adonai
6. See What the Lord Has Done
7. Wonderful Wonder
8. Casting Crowns
9. Somebody’s Knocking At The Door
10. Hallelujah Eh
Top 10 Nathaniel Bassey Songs
So I figured, why not make a list of his best songs? The ones that lodged in my brain, the ones I find myself returning to when life gets ugly. Here’s what I’ve come up with.
1. Imela (feat. Enitan Adaba)
Okay, so ‘Imela’ means ‘Thank You’ in Igbo, which you may’ve been aware of if you listen to Nigerian gospel. But the point is, this isn’t just any thank-you song. It’s intimate, I guess? Like Nathaniel’s standing right next to you, and Enitan Adaba’s singing just glides in so effortlessly. The trumpet sections? Totally spellbinding. I’ve noticed something, though; every time I listen to this song, I’m reminded of things I’d forgotten to thank God for. Small things. Big things. Everything in between. That’s probably the reason it does so well within church services, but in all honesty? I play it at home just as much– a lot.
2. Onise Iyanu (feat. Micah Stampley & Glorious Fountain Choir)
‘God of Awesome Wonders, ’ and boy, does this song ever live up to that title. You know when you’re going through something just really tough, and you just gotta keep telling yourself that God can actually do the impossible? That’s this song. Having Micah Stampley guest on it was genius, by the way. His voice just… it adds this whole other depth. And that line about tasting God’s power? I have no idea why, but it hits differently every time. Maybe because it’s not just talking of hearing of God’s power, it’s talking of experiencing it personally.
3. Olowogbogboro
2017, right? Hallelujah Challenge was everywhere, and suddenly everyone was singing of ‘The God with the Outstretched Arm.’ But know what it was that struck me about this song? It was not just a trendy worship song. There was something. prophetic going on. Like when you sang it, you really believed that something was going to change. And for many people, things did change. I’m not saying the song caused it, but there was definitely something in the air at the time. Now and then, timing and music just work together ideally.
4. Olorun Agbaye(You Are Mighty) (ft. Chandler Moore and Oba)
This collaboration caught me off guard in the best way. Chandler Moore of Maverick City? With Nathaniel Bassey? And Oba? It shouldn’t have worked as seamlessly as it did, but for some reason it just.. clicked. ‘God of the Universe’— that’s what ‘Olorun Agbaye’ means, and the song actually does a great job of conveying that expanse. I love how it doesn’t sacrifice its African heritage (language) even with the modern influences. It is like watching all these streams of worship come together in one river.
5. Adonai
This song is basically just praising God as ‘Lord’ and ‘Master,’ but there’s something in the way Nathaniel does it that makes you slow down. Really slow. ‘From the rising of the sun to the setting of the same’, I find myself whistling this line at random during the day. It’s become my go-to whenever I have to clear my head, when my mind’s running circles about work or the relationships or whatever. Really, you don’t need complex lyrics most times, because there are moments all you just need to remember is who’s ultimately in control– GOD.
6. See What the Lord Has Done
The kinda song you play when your prayers are answered. If you know what it means to wait (months or years or both) for something and suddenly there it is, you’ll understand this song perfectly. This song embodies that feeling.. ‘What we’ve waited for has come to pass.’ It might seem pretty simple to you– I have seen people cry at this song in church, and I understand. Seeing that God came through– nahh, that’s wonderful, that deserves a scream of joy and gratitude. Again. And that’s why I see this gem as a mix of gratitude, relief, and awe.
7. Wonderful Wonder
Wonderful Wonder is a deep song; it isn’t about praying or making requests. Nah.. this song is more about expressing one’s amazement in God– let’s be plain, that’s easier said than done. The reason is, we are so used to bringing our lists of wants to God that we forget to just sit there and be awed sometimes. This is why I’ve labelled this song as one that allows you a place to think, breathe, and wonder about things you will never understand.
8. Casting Crowns
Listen to this song and never remain the same. ‘Casting Crowns’ takes that moment out of Revelation and turned it into a lyrical gem, yup, the one where everyone is throwing their crowns at God’s throne. It is about putting down everything– is it pride, achievements, your need to be known? Everything. Have it in mind that it is you, God, and whatever pride you’re going to have to put down.
9. Somebody’s Knocking At The Door
We have an older one here, and you can tell. It has that patience, plus the gentle feel that some of his newer work doesn’t have. Jesus is knocking at the door.. patiently waiting for you to open it to Him. He’s also persistent, though. Everyone has felt it before. The way God does work in our lives, come to think of it.. He can be persistent with His invitation, but He’s also patient.
10. Hallelujah Eh
Then there is this one, ‘Hallelujah Eh’simply rejoicing. You’d understand what I’m saying if you’ve ever been at a Nigerian church when this particular song goes on. No one stays seated, nahhh. You see, the ‘Eh,’ it’s more like a punctuation for joy. Make that worship loud, messy, and full of life– who says worship has to be quiet? Sometimes, let that ‘hallelujah’ be a mighty scream.
Conclusion
I honestly can’t point out the reason I keep returning to Nathaniel Bassey’s music, but one thing I’m sure of– it is real and not trying hard to be cool. It is not trying too hard to be cool. Just honest worship by a man who’s learned how to turn his faith into songs you can’t say no to. Whatever I’m grateful for, at a breaking point, rejoicing, or just attempting to remember that God’s greater than my struggles, there’s a Nathaniel Bassey song there. And isn’t that what good worship music is all about? Catching you where you’re at and helping you get closer to God from there.
