Ify Nneji’s ‘Spirit Realm’: The esoteric art of God’s praises, devoted heart’s embrace

Ify Nneji is a Nigerian gospel act who hails from Anambra State, Nigeria. She grew up in Kaduna and earned her degrees in Enugu State. Her diverse experiences in these parts of Nigeria are reflected in her 2023 debut album, tagged “Spirit Realm,” which was produced by Dr. Finesse.

The first track, “Lion and the Lamb of Judah,” opens the album with sensational percussion, accompanied promptly by the keyboard, bass guitar, and electric guitar. The singer’s voice sonorously meddles in, though with a thought-provoking question: “Who is able…?” It is a rhetorical question, as the singer and her backup singers harmoniously answer in subsequent lyrics, noting that only the Lion and the Lamb of Judah is able to do all things. This track flows with encomiums for Jesus, who is metaphorically portrayed in Revelation 5:5-6.

“Chidikagi,” the title of the second track from Ify Nneji’s “Spirit Realm,” translates from the Igbo language as “God like you.” This track shows veneration or profound awe for the celestial being. The musical instruments used in this track are similar to the first, but with a slight digression, using African musical instruments. The singer code-switches between the Igbo and English languages, but all the lyrics are built on the premise: “What manner of man is Jesus?” This phrase is culled from Matthew and Mark in the New Testament, where the disciples of Jesus marveled after he calmed the storm.

In “You Are the Way,” the third track, Ify Nneji continues exonerating the celestial being in a grand African way. The singer reiterates God’s magnificence in another context. This track is inspired by the farewell words of Jesus in John’s gospel of the New Testament: “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life…’” John 14:6 (AMP).

The fourth and eponymous track of the album is a spiritually sensuous plea to the Holy Ghost—the Spirit of God. The singer, accompanied by a soul-rending beat, cries for the portal to a celestial sphere, propelled by the Holy Spirit. Among other diverse verses, this track rests on the words of Jesus in the gospel of John: “God is a spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:24 (NKJV). Till the end, Ify Nneji reiterates her plea to become extraordinary, drawing listeners to a celestial being beyond terrestrial borders.

In the fifth track, the singer continues with her praises. Here, she showcases her high-flying lyrical prowess with a mixture of languages. The title of this fifth track blends Hebrew and Aramaic. “Yeshua” is the Hebrew name for Jesus, derived from “Yehoshua” or Joshua, which means “Yah saves.” The other is best known as “Hamashiach,” meaning “Messiah.” The singer also uses the Nigerian language, Hausa, to enrich her praises to the Most High. Before the end of the track, she clamours, like other gospel artistes, for all nations to keep praising God’s name and reign.

“Arise,” the last track on Ify Nneji’s debut album is a fast-paced song with energetic rhythmic patterns and hastened harmony. Ify Nneji, in this invigorating track, pesters the sleeping giants to stay awake. She uses this metaphor to charge believers, just like Paul did in the New Testament. Among other verses, Paul said: “So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.” 1 Thess. 5:6 (NIV). Ify Nneji also draws from Ephesians 6:11 (NKJV): “Put on the armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

Ify Nneji has given her listeners nothing but spiritual art with a blend of deep music and culture.