Gather25, a trailblazing global gathering of Christians founded by Jennie Allen, has unveiled the first of its contributors for the upcoming event in 2025. Featuring a multi-denominational, international line up of Christian teachers, storytellers and prayer guides from six continents, Gather25 aims to showcase powerful stories of how God is transforming communities and hearts around the world.

The event, with a schedule that will circumnavigate the globe over 25 hours, celebrates a line-up of individuals who bring a unique perspective of how God is moving in their context. Together, they are partnering with Gather25’s mission to mobilize Christians everywhere to reach the 5.5 billion people on earth who have yet to encounter Jesus. Through live-streaming technology and AI, Gather25 will connect with Christians in homes, in churches, in stadiums, or on their phones, across six continents, with each continent hosting a portion of the 25 hours.

The teachers, storytellers, and prayer guides include: Jennie Allen – Founder & Visionary of Gather25, Bible teacher, author, the visionary behind IF:Gathering, Pastor Charles Mugisha – Founder and President of Africa New Life Ministries, Matt Maher – Gospel artist and songwriter, known for favorites like “Lord, I Need You, Mark Varughese – Founder and Senior Leader of Kingdomcity, Matt Redman – Double GRAMMY®-Award winning worship leader and songwriter.

Priscilla Shirer – A New York Times Best-Selling author and actress featuring in movies like War Room. Sinach – Gospel artist and songwriter, known for favorites like “Way Maker.”Tasha Cobbs Leonard – GRAMMY® Award-winning singer/songwriter.

Rorisang Thandekiso – A multi-talented media personality and musician, and the founder of “Jesus This Jesus That.” Rick Warren – Author of The Purpose Driven Life, his books have been translated into 200 languages.

Gather25 is a global collaboration of Christians who are instrumental in connecting the global church from the ground up. Pastor Charles Mugisha said, “Gather25 gives, for the first time in history, Africa a voice to share the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ more than ever before.”

“I have a feeling in my heart that (Gather25) is a God thing. The Bible commissions us to go and take the Gospel to all nations and for the first time, I see that we can actually take the Gospel to all the nations in 25 hours. That’s exciting for me!”

The event will kick off in the United States at 01:00 UTC on Saturday, 1st March 2025, and will journey around the globe, concluding in Peru at 02:00 UTC on Sunday, 2nd March 2025. This continuous broadcast is designed to empower Christians worldwide through inspiring stories and testimonies of God’s work across nations. Each session will be hosted from a different country, featuring teaching, worship, stories and prayers from various locations within each session. The event will also unveil never-before-heard accounts from the underground church.

Join us for this global event to connect with believers from every corner of the world. Find out about Gather25, and sign up for more resources at: gather25.com 

About Gather25

Gather25 is a historic, worldwide gathering, inviting every Christian – of every denomination – from every continent – to come together on March 1^st, 2025 for 25 hours of prayer, worship, repentance and commissioning. The mission is to mobilize the world’s 2.5 billion Christians to share the Gospel with the 5.5 billion people who do not know God. Through live-streaming technology and AI, Gather25 will connect with Christians in homes, in churches, in stadiums, or on their phones, across six continents, with each continent hosting a portion of the 25 hours. The original vision for Gather25 was cast by Jennie Allen. 

Learn more about Gather25 at gather25.com, Facebook: Gather25, Instagram: @gather25, YouTube: @gather25, TikTok:  @gather_25

Please find further information and frequently asked questions here: www.gather25.com/faqs  

Hear Gather25’s mission, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p27d9ZcFEqo 

Tomorrow is a sonic departure from Yemi Alade’s recent exploration of the Mamapiano sound in her previous EP. Here, she returns to the familiar territory of upbeat rhythms, produced with meticulous precision by the talented DeeYasso. The backdrop is the perfect canvas for Yemi Alade’s signature vocals to shine. Her powerful and emotive delivery imbues the song with an undeniable optimism that’s sure to resonate with listeners.

Lyrically, Tomorrow emphasizes the importance of cherishing the present moment while acknowledging the promise that a new day holds. The song’s message is particularly timely, offering a sense of hope and encouragement in a world often filled with uncertainty. It’s a gentle reminder to seize the day and hold onto the belief that brighter days are yet to come.

As Yemi Alade’s first official single for 2024, Tomorrow marks a promising return to form. It exhibits her constant growth while staying true to her Afrobeats core. It’s a song that will undoubtedly get your body moving and your spirit soaring. Whether you’re dancing the night away or simply seeking a dose of positivity, Tomorrow is that tune to uplift your mood and remind you of the beauty that lies ahead.

Listen to Tomorrow below:

Source: Notjustok | Peter Okhide

Bankz’s music exudes a communal energy that’s hard to miss. With its colorful sonic choices and youthful subject matter, it moves toward the listener, inviting them to revel in its world. “Tell Ur Girlfriend” has sharp synths that sway along to Bankz’s vocals, quite minimalist in its application but decidedly focused, as it carries that heart-in-my-hand exhilaration that was popular in the 2000s. The delivery is a cross between Beyoncé and Megan Thee Stallion, as Bankz showcases vocal awareness that effortlessly glides across registers as she rap-sings about a cheating girlfriend. “We was just friends, but then came in Cupid,” she intones with some mischief. “The tension was buildin’, we had to pursue it.”

When Bankz was in daycare, her mother drove them outside of Philly where she worked, playing music on the car stereo. Bankz recalled to Billboard what she heard: Beyoncé, Keyshia Cole, Sevyn Streeter, “a lot of what was popping in the early 2000s,” she said. “I’ve always known this is what I wanted to do since I was a baby, and everybody around me can vouch for that. I’ve been doing this my whole life. This is nothing new. I played the violin, I played piano, I was in orchestra, I was in [vocal] lessons, I did musical theater, I took poem classes and I learned how to write poems and write raps. I couldn’t see myself doing anything else.”

Certainly, that dedication comes across in the music. Especially through her versatility, tapping readily from hip-hop and R&B, Bankz reflects an all-or-nothing mentality. “Ick” was criticized at the time of its release, but in its online-friendly one minute-plus runtime and bouncy New Jersey-evoking production, there’s an underlying cohesion that makes the song stick. Bankz’s enunciation level is standard, and the bubbly personality that shines through reminds listeners that here, after all, is a promising woman still in her teens.

“Ick” features in Now You See Me, Bankz’s seven-track project which was released in August 2023. It also features “IDFWY” and “Na Na Na,” whose acceptance was the launchpad for the records that would come later. A note shared on the EP’s YouTube page reads like a mission statement: “I named my project Now You See Me for numerous reasons, but the most important reason is that my whole life I never felt like anyone ever saw me. This project is a statement to everyone who didn’t know, now you have no option but to see me. I’m right in your face and I will forever be authentically myself, unapologetically.”

Bankz has artistry and attitude, that much is clear, but she also has a third strength that’s been crucial to her rise from the ranks of online virality to real-time musical stardom — she has a team that understands business and how best to merge that with her peculiarities as an artist. Among her several fast-approaching accolades, the artist was named Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Rookie of the Month for May.

Like Tyla and Ayra Starr, Bankz represents the global sensibilities inherent in the new generation of African women musicians; rooted in the concept of home and bringing the world to themselves, rather than seeking it out. Bankz hasn’t reflected a lot of Africanness in her records so far, but she carries the story of Eritrea quite dutifully. In the Billboard interview, she spoke about how it’s “super important” that her family back in the East African country and others that “don’t have half the things that I have…[know] that they can do this too.”

As in that instance, and elsewhere, Bankz showcases a knack for insightful responses. Speaking with Uproxx, she was once asked which she would choose, five years into the future or five years into the past. “The past,” she replied, “just to visit moments and feelings I feel like I didn’t get to feel entirely because of how fast they happened. I experience so much every day and my life moves so fast that it’s easy to not entirely take what’s happening to me.”

“I wouldn’t want to see the future because I’m gonna always get there,” she said. “Why rush to see what’s already written?”

Source: Okay Africa | EMMANUEL ESOMNOFU

Since her rise through scenic stardom to global sensation, Tyla has been intent about showcasing the intimate beauty of her South African experiences, whether it’s through keeping her natural accent when speaking, or telling stories of her experiences. In her, the country gets a Gen Z representative that has positioned it in a new, great light, and on “Jump” she does so visually.

Nabil’s picture gets a stellar muse in the person of Tyla, whose lithe frame is centered in different scenes. From a cloth-suffused backyard, to a balcony, “Jump” offers a view into the idiosyncrasies of a party. Even down to the scenes showing the insides of a building, there’s a cinematic urgency that makes the visual appealing. And through Tyla’s natural ability to catch attention and retain it, the video’s three minute-plus runtime holds onto the viewer’s gaze with intensity.

The song itself, while also a call to dance, is primarily about self-confidence and the scenes exude that sort of personality. Sun-streaked for most parts, it evokes the bustling period of summer, where people get out and lay their hair down after months of intense work.

With Skillibeng bringing his sensual dancehall sensibilities to the song, and Gunna’s sleek flow merging beautifully with the R&B-inspired rhythm of Tyla, the sound sets the template for what the visual achieves. And considering the realistic material director Nabil is able to incorporate while staying within the sonic universe, it’s a creative alliance that succeeds on all fronts.

Source: Okay Africa | EMMANUEL ESOMNOFU

Road To Hastafari was a project the artiste had been hinting at releasing about 5 years ago. On the song, Untitled, he shares his experience with the rapper, Dex Kwasi concerning his hopeful release date: “I had n****** like Dex Kwasi telling me ain’t nobody anticipating music from an unknown rapper.”

5 years, 4 EPs and it’s definitely worth the wait.

Road To Hastafari is a 12 track album with features from Nigeria’s A-Q, PsychoYP and Ghana’s M.anifest, Black Sherif and Titi Owusu. The project spans across across different genres including HipHop and has a definite pop feel to it all. The production mostly from BRYAN THE MENSAH himself and Okaiwav is an obvious collaborative effort to make sure that the listener has a pleasant experience, track after track.

A fan favourite, Until I see You is an emotional love song about how differences in schedules can affect your relationship. The star of the song, TiTi Owusu is an incredibly talented singer many keep likening to Beyonce solely based on the richness of her voice. She outshone the others and stands out on the project as one of the best features. Not to say the other features did not talk the talk. Black Sherif served a smooth verse on Life is A Movie. PsychoYP went in hard on Giraffe and M.anifest was the perfect fit for Nsem.

A definite given from listening to Road To Hastafari is that after every listen, you’d have a new fave. It could be the very first song, Feeli Feeli where Bryan does not hold back at all and just goes in hard, throwing jabs at anyone who made his rise as an upcoming artiste a little bit rougher or it could be Through The Flame that takes you right to church with the urban gospel feel and preacher’s sample.

Discover your favourite song from the project here:  Road To Hastafari

While his last single focused on love, relationship and R&B vibes, on “Issokay”, the artist goes back to rapping, mixing English with local pidgin.

As Hip-Hop tradition demands, he shows off his level and skill, evoking his recent moves and the future he sees for himself. However, this is not done in an arrogant way: in the chorus, he claims to have love only for the game. The instrumental was produced by BADSZN, and the track was mixed and mastered by MikeMillzOnEm.

“It’s just me accepting real love and distancing myself from fake love. If the love isn’t real then keep it, it’s okay!”, he comments.

The accompanying video was shot in Accra by Wavy Vibrations, in different neighbourhoods of the Ghanaian capital. We follow Sizz on a night excursion, flexing in front of some well-known settings of the city (Palms Square, Villagio Vista). The visuals exemplify the track’s mood, perfect to ride at night.

Sizz is currently working on a third project named Outlier, which will follow the critically acclaimed GreySkies Are Smokescreens (2020).

Watch the video below and listen to the single here: Issokay

Press Release from artiste

This December, beyond the business networking, artistes across various genres and geographies are billed to perform at the Music Festival, curated as a celebration of the unique expression of African culture in one space. PaJohn Bentsifi Dadson found out the lowdown from its originators.

For co-founder of the movement, Raja Owusu-Ansah, who also co-owns and runs the Republic Bar in Accra, “the ‘Republic Spirit’ was created to engender an expression and celebration of African arts, music & culture on a global level, curated in the form that it currently is with two main levels of engagement with a small business & creative arts conference, and a music festival.

On the cards since 2018, when they galavanting pubs and bars in urban districts across the globe from Accra to Washington DC to Paris on the invitation of like-minded people, the Republic Spirit presented a global opportunity to advance African talent through the curating of a festival focused on business networking with touchpoints on music, art and food, worked into seminars, workshops and celebrations. But the movement suffered a number of false starts, caused predominately by the onset of the COVID pandemic that shut down the world. With things easing now, the resilient African spirit is about to rise again.

“It is a celebration of Africa, a movement to progress African talent through the convergence of art, music, fashion, and food, creating an immersive experience that highlights the continents diversity, and promotes its progress,” says Raja.

The ‘Republic Spirit’ was a natural progression for the Republic Bar & Grill. As a unique business concept and operation, Republic Bar and Grill is a pioneer in operating a sustainable business model within the creative ecosystem of a contemporary African city, and Republic’s model has led to the empowerment of other creative businesses and created a large value chain, allowing brands to build an extended network of several thousand professionals locally and internationally since it was established 2011.

Over the years, it leveraged these relationships to create relevant networking opportunities and collaborations leading to a cross-pollination of ideas and unparalleled innovations in this space.

The Conference will, therefore, run over 2 days (December 27 – 28) offering a unique networking opportunity for participants, providing relevant transfer of ideas and opportunities for collaborations.

Creating a platform for many mainstream as well as underground musicians and artists, it was only a matter of time before the Republic spirit would manifest. The bar becoming a major hub for the savvy traveller who took away good tidings from their experience there through word of mouth has been phenomenal, and powerful, and has drawn many people to put a visit to the Republic Bar on their “to-do” list when visiting Ghana.

And visit they do, from all walks of life, including many from the world of finance and technology, to business and investment.
For many of this savvy crowd, the conversation very often ends with them looking for which areas to invest in Ghana, even across the continent.

“Our guests, both Ghanaians and foreigners, some of who have become friends, always direct people who want to invest in Ghana to my brother and I because they see how we have been able to make Republic run all these years. They believe we can help point them in the right direction to where they can put their money and create something here in Ghana,” says Raja.

“We all know business deals are not made in the boardroom. They may be finalised and signed into being there, but the making of the deal itself would have been over a glass of beer, or wine, and in our case here at the Republic Bar, over a glass of Kokoroko – our iconic apketeshi cocktail ice slush!”

‘Body’ drops under the umbrella of Southern Africa’s fast-evolving Amapiano sound and is flush with Essilfie’s sweet vocals on a well-arranged DredW production.

The result is a thumping tune sure to put your body through its paces right in time for the festivities ahead.

As DredW stated earlier in the year, his desire to step outside his comfort zone and try new sounds is strong, and with yet another release from him now at our disposal, it is good to know this intention has not changed. Although this release also leans toward Amapiano, there’s no telling what other genres the mystery collaboration has in store for fans.

Nevertheless, DredW and Essilfie promise nothing but intoxicating vibes, with fans to get an official announcement soon. While you wait, stream ‘Body’ by DredW and Essilfie here: Body

Press Release//Elite PR

The concert, held at Alliance Francaise saw incredible performances from known live performers like Asi who thrilled concertgoers as she performed songs off her Chapter V project. Susan Augustt took everyone on a long ride, performing her music with enough ease and skill to let you know she was born for the stage. Tommy Wa, a Nigerian artiste who had fans following him to the event just to see him perform also gave a riveting performance..one that will not be forgotten.

Senku Live, a well-known group of young musicians known specifically for their ability to entertain with their skill and stage presence were also present with the Safoa Band and Adorkor Band while Chrystal Aryee kept the concert-goers engaged as the MC of the night.

With the target of GHS 100,000 as a goal, there were vendors from Skin Gourmet, StandUp Tees and more selling a variety of products with all proceeds going into the Mobile Shelter fund for the homeless and disadvantaged in Accra. 

In between clips of Ahaban’s previous donations and activities, there was a performance from Ragobwoy, a beneficiary of the Talent Africa Foundation, an organisation that seeks to support talented but needy creatives by helping them develop their craft. 

Atotal of GHS5103 was raised. If you missed out on the benefit and would still like to donate, you can still do so here: https://ahabanglf.org/donate/

The song was inspired by the harmful effects that rumours can have on people’s lives. Gossiping keeps you from your purpose, and when people spread false rumours about you, it can stop you from being successful, so it is
harmful both to the spreader of rumours and the subject of them.

With the song Konkonsa, SAJ encourages his listeners to use their voices to positively impact and give encouraging words to others instead of making harsh judgments.

Follow the artiste on aftown music and wait on the release here: Konkonsa