Why I’m refusing to take sides in the ‘Gospel vs CCM’ debate

When Maverick City’s Norman Gyamfi appeared to criticise Gospel music it prompted a strong reaction. But when we start arguing about whether one musical style or another is better, we risk losing the heart of worship altogether, says Samuel Nwachukwu 

Over the past few weeks, a lot has been said about the direction of Christian music - particularly the divide between traditional Gospel and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM). The conversation picked up serious momentum after Norman Gyamfi, co-founder of Maverick City Music, shared some strong opinions on The Isaac Carree Show. His remarks, though rooted in honesty, struck a major chord - especially within the Black Gospel community.

Gyamfi argued that gospel music has become “stale” and “over‑sung,” suggesting that the style no longer connects as widely as it once did. He went on to explain how Maverick City’s music, with its simpler arrangements and broader accessibility, has made waves by merging the richness of gospel vocals with the sing-ability of CCM. He even stated that Maverick City Music “out streams” the entire gospel industry combined - sparking deeper questions about reach, relevance and representation.