On today’s episode of Gospel Ministers Across Africa, we are highlighting an iconic Nigerian gospel crew who made waves in the early and late 2000s.
Midnight Crew (Igbo: Etiti Abalị Yoruba: Midnight Atuko) is a Nigerian gospel quartet that formed in 2001 and made their solo debut album, “IGWE” in 2008. Many Midnight Crew songs become very popular and trendy online with a great number of streaming and downloads on Boomplay.
The Midnight Crew was founded as a gospel quartet in November 8, 2001. The lead singer was Pat Uwaje-King and compromised of Mike Abdul (Alto), Gbenga Oyebola (Tenor), and Odunayo Ojo (Soprano). They were founded in Ogba, Lagos, Nigeria.
CAREER AND ACHIEVEMENTS
The Midnight Crew had stated in many of their music videos that they wanted to “put the praise of GOD on the lips of all men”. The group soon made the album “Fusion” with The Clergymen in 2003. Five years later in 2008, they released their solo debut album, Igwe (which means machine). The song Igwe, garnered 4.1 million views on YouTube.
The group went on to have five albums and three singles including albums titled King of Nations in 2012, and Eze in 2013.
Midnight Crew performed on platforms with a lot of notable singers, which include Lionel Peterson, Mary-Mary, Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, Panam Percy Paul, Kurt Carr, Ron Kenoly, Bob Fitts, Ebenezer Obey, Israel Houghton, Tye Tribbett, Sammie Okposo, Fred Hammond and Don Moen. The quartet had gone internationally to perform in many places, including the United States and United Kingdom.
AWARDS
Midnight Crew won it’s first award in 2009 when it was awarded the “Musical Group of the Year” awardfrom City People Awards. In that same year, Midnight Crew would win 4 more awards, which include:
Gospel Artiste of the Year (Nigerian Entertainment Awards USA)
Best Traditional Song (Nigerian Gospel Music Awards)
Album of the Year (Nigerian Gospel Music Awards)
Most Popular Song of the Year (Nigerian Gospel Music Awards)
In 2010, Midnight Crew would win 2 award from the Africa Gospel Music Awards UK, which include:
Best Non-UK based Group (Africa Gospel Music Awards UK)
Best Non-UK Song of the Year (Africa Gospel Music Awards UK)
In 2011, the quartet would win 3 awards which include:
Best Indigenous Gospel Song (Nigeria Gospel Music Awards)
Gospel Artiste of the Year (Kingdom Africa Awards)
Gospel Group of the Year (Kingdom Africa Awards)
Midnight Crew’s ALBUMS
(2013) EZE
(2012) KING OF NATIONS
(2008) IGWE
(2006) TUNGBA UNLIMITED
(2004) FUSION
Listen to a full list of their discography on Boomplay.
Gospel Ministers Across Africa (GMAA) is brought to you by The HotJem Media for edification, revitalization and worship. Let us know which artist you would like us to feature in our upcoming editions.
