Patience Nyarko under fire over Joe Mettle comments

GOSPEL artiste Patience Nyarko has come under fire for what some have described as unpleasant comments she made about colleague Joe Mettle.

Social media has been buzzing about the comments the Obi Nyanime singer made in which she expressed her dissatisfaction at how Ghanaians seem to be giving all of their attention to Joe Mettle and ignoring others in the Gospel fraternity.

Patience Nyarko appeared on Onua FM's Anigye Mmre show on Saturday, May 16, and was speaking on why Gospel music was not penetrating the international market.

One panelist cited Joe Mettle as having gone international because he sings English songs and that seemed to annoy Patience Nyarko.

"I don't want people to think that Joe Mettle is the only Gospel artiste in Ghana. The way they are hyping him, I want people to know that he is not there yet. Sincerely, they are giving the guy a problem, I'm telling you.

"When we talk about English songs, how many songs does Joe Mettle have? Is it not Pentecost songs that Joe Mettle sings? If the church of Pentecost and Methodist church should ban people from using their songs, what will be Joe Mettle's fate?" she asked.

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Patience Nyarko said it was important to give attention to artistes who write their own songs.

"What about those of us who write our own songs. Look at Nacee, Diana Hamilton, and Joyce Blessing who write their own songs. We have all been ignored because we don't speak English. Is English food we eat?" she asked.

Joe Mettle

Patience Nyarko's comments have sparked a lot of discussions and elicited mixed reactions among Gospel music lovers on social media. While some believe her comments were distasteful, others alluded she was still pained about losing out to Joe Mettle in 2018 in the Gospel Song of the Year category at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) but she has also received praise for speaking her truth.

Some industry persons have been part of the discussion and in a Facebook post on Sunday, May 17, sound engineer and producer, Fred Kyei Mensah said the comments were inappropriate and below the belt.

"To say that Joe Mettle can't write his own songs and as such if the Orthodox and Pentecostal churches ban anyone from using their compositions, he would suffer and he hasn't reached any international standard and that she and others write their own songs. Wow. That was below the belt.

"My advice to Patience Nyarko is yes, there are controversial issues in our music productions which we discuss to find better solutions. She should be mindful of her choice when dealing with industry folks. Talents are soul-driven and no one can bring anyone's God-given blessings down," he stated.