Heavens Connection

Heavens Connection is a Ghanaian Gospel rap and alternative group who, along with acts such as Psalm 1, the Christ Junkie & Ian Jazzi have pioneered a new wave of gospel music known as gospel-rap or Christian rap also referred to as Urban gospel music in Ghana. The group is arguably Ghana's first gospel rap group.^[1][2][3]

History

Heavens Connection^[4] started out in 2006, brought together by a youth church leader of Action Chapel International, Eddie Opoku, who wanted to see the influence of hiphop in the church put to a more positive use. He put the word out and encouraged the youth in the church who were hiphop heads and loved to rap, sing and dance to join and use their God-given talents to glorify God and to inspire other youth to do the same. Since then, the group has grown not only in number but also in wisdom and talent. Heavens Connection is set to empower the youth of today with God's Word and light and also as the name implies to connect the world to heaven. In 2007, the group went on hiatus as members of the group travelled to school and others relocating and settling in other countries. The group came back from hiatus in 2009 with new members after Eddie Opoku put word out for members. Jae Milla, Stain, David Edem, Xprez 1 Jewel, Lil Grills, Meva, Prosper, Ancestor, Glodiva, Masodi joined as the 2nd generation and new members of the group. After the groups first ministration in their home church, Action Chapel International, award winning rapper and spoken word artist Psalm 1, the Christ Junkie joined alongside Emmanuel Kwame Sarpong. Members of Heavens Connection especially Jae Milla are said to have taught and personally helped Psalm 1, the Christ Junkie write his first rhymes and improve as an artist. Together, these new members toured amongst senior and junior high schools like Ghana Christian High School, Accra Girls Secondary School, Queensland International School, Ghana International School etc. including Charismatic Churches in Accra such as, Logos Rhema Church, Action Chapel International branches Tema Community 9, Adenta, Dansoman. They were specially invited by Archbishop Nicholas Duncan Williams to minister at Impact 2009, arguably Ghana's biggest Christian Convention, "Youth Xplo 2010" by Perez Chapel, and headlined the biggest senior high school gospel events, "ALOUD 2011", " ALOUD 2012" and "ALOUD 2013". In 2012, they performed at SOLAR NIGHT, a concert put together by SKILLIONS artist, PAAPA.^[5]

In 2013, the group announced an upcoming EP, "Young, Fly, Jesus-Lovers" and released "Mr.Attitude", a single by Psalm , the Christ Junkie featuring the group. Nothing was heard of the group after the single, thus YFJ was never released. Interviews granted by Psalm 1, the Christ Junkie revealed that the group was on hiatus but will soon be back.

Discography

2006: Can't Touch Me

2009: Ibi So

2009: Gospel Rap

2009: Jehovah Jehovah

2009: Jehovah Dey Bee

2009: Can't Touch Me (New Version)

2010: Chale More Vim (Xprez 1 Jewel, Psalm 1, the Christ Junkie, Lil Grills, prod. By Jae Milla)

2010: Nah Ein bi the King (Xprez 1 Jewel, Stain, Lil Grills)

2010: God (Ride with us) ft. Ian Jazzi

2011: God Edey Do (Jae Milla, Kwame Sarpong, Psalm 1, David Edem)

2012: We No Dey Biz (Jae Milla, Kwame Sarpong, Psalm 1, David Edem)

2013: Mr. Attitude (Psalm 1 ft. Heavens Connection (Kwame Sarpong, Jae Milla) prod. By David Edem)

Members

• Current Members

Psalm 1, the Christ Junkie

Edwvn (Jae Milla)

David Edem

Emmanuel " Olele" Sarpong

• Past Members

Lil Grills (Odartey)

Stain

Xprez 1 Jewel (Kwachie Adie)

Glodiva

Masodi

Bishop West

References