On the back of “Ike Nkwu Aba Mba,” Onitsha-based gospel artist and worship leader Adazion Ij returns with another praise-filled Igbo gospel tune, “Utu Gbawara Iyi.”
The title is filled with Igbo spiritual imagery of water breaking through or spilling as a metaphor of heavenly wealth and breakthrough. Adazion Ij does not treat it as a casual concept. The writing shapes around that visual with the kind of Igbo gospel fervor that 369,000 Audiomack followers have grown to expect across recordings like “ZAM”—which crossed 13 million total listens—and “Kporom Chim.”
The sound gives the record a bright, joyful air that maintains its true to his beginnings as a live worship minister. Above everything else, Adazion Ij is a worship leader before he is a recording artist—and that identity permeates every element of “Utu Gbawara Iyi.” So the record doesn’t sound like a studio exercise. Sounds like a worship leader just happened to hit the record button.
His catalog output reflects a minister who never gives up on pace. “Oguguo M’obi,” “Nde-Eri Atu Egwu,” and now “Utu Gbawara Iyi,” all came out in that same reliable release time. Adazion Ij recognizes that regular, dependable content is more beneficial in growing a ministry’s audience than irregular bursts of high-impact events. His numbers show that strategy works.
This record is authentic if you love indigenous Igbo gospel music steeped in actual praise culture.
Drop your comments below if Adazion Ij gets better with every release. Listen to “Utu Gbawara Iyi” below.
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