Nigerian singer Victor Thompson promises ‘mind-blowing’ Jerusalem concert
Published:Friday | March 22, 2024 | 12:09 AMYasmine Peru/Senior Gleaner Writer
Popular Nigerian gospel singer, Victor Thompson, is the headline act for the Jerusalem concert scheduled to take place at the Liguanea Club, New Kingston, on March 30, and he is promising Jamaicans that it will be a “mind-blowing” experience.
Presented by DAT Entertainment, the event, which is being marketed as “a dynamic, family-oriented gospel concert that aims to bring together Christian enthusiasts for an evening of soulful music, praise and worship and spiritual reflection”, was officially launched on Tuesday at the Spanish Court hotel. The organisers explained that the name ‘Jerusalem’ was chosen because “it is a holy city that symbolises peace, unity, hope and faith, and these are some of the values we are promoting here in Jamaica”, and as children, the song Jerusalem our Happy Home, was often sung at home by their grandmother.
Thompson wasn’t present physically; however, through the use of technology, he was zoomed in via a live stream and effectively hyped up the concert. Looking relaxed, he smoothly answered questions posed to him by the host for the evening, Basillia Barnaby-Cuff.
Quizzed on what fans should expect at his Jamaica concert, Thompson answered with a huge smile, “It’s going to be mind-blowing.”
He also promised that there will be “deep worship, intense worship, amazing praise time”.
“We will just be having a beautiful time in his presence. Come and experience it for yourself .... invite your friends, family, enemies ... everyone,” the This Year (Blessing) singer said enthusiastically.
Sharing that he “loves, loves, loves Jamaican music” and has a desire to collaborate with Jamaican artistes, Thompson added that he was also looking forward to “a taste of all the scrumptious food you guys have”.
Prior to Thompson’s presence, Dr Carla Dunbar gave a testimony sharing how his songs helped her during recovery from a stroke and heart attacks when she made the decision not to be hospitalised “again” and instead depend on God for healing.
“This is not a gospel concert, it is a movement ... it is a worship experience. I am going to go back to March of last year when I left the island to go to Dubai and Israel and as I landed in Atlanta I got a stroke so I ended up not going to Dubai and I was hospitalised. I recovered enough to make it to Israel ... coming back from Israel I was just passing out. My oxygen level was at 87, and I managed to come back to Jamaica and I had two heart attacks,” Dunbar told her rapt audience.
Dunbar recounted the hours-long worship vigils she and her husband conducted, during which Victor Thompson’s songs empowered them and gave them the victory.
“It was his songs ... it was the worship experience that helped us. This event is going to be different ... there will be healing, deliverance ... a salvation experience,” Dunbar declared.
The promoters hail it as “a celebration of cultural fusion and faith”.
“This event is more than just a concert; it’s a testament to the beauty of cultural exchange and the universal language of music. We are honoured to welcome Victor Thompson and our Jamaican talents to the stage for an unforgettable evening of inspiration and joy,” they noted.
According to his Wikipedia bio, Thompson started singing at an early age and was a contestant in The Voice Nigeria, Season 2 in 2017. In November, 2018, he made his official debut on the music scene with his first single, Miyeruwe. In January 2023, he released the song, This Year (Blessings), featuring Nigerian co-singer Ehis D’Greatest. The single made it to the Billboard US Afrobeats chart at number 35 and also peaked at No. 14 in the United Kingdom. Among his other singles are Not Moved, You Make All Things Beautiful and Thank You.
In July 2023, he was nominated for the 16th Headies Awards in the category for Best Inspirational Single, alongside Davido, Neon Adejo, Nathaniel Bassey, and others. His music has resonated deeply with global audiences, who acknowledge him as one of the foremost voices in gospel music.
Thompson will share the stage with Rhoda Isabella, Rondell Positive, Perpetual Praise and all-male group, Island Kings, who gave a robust taste of what to expect from them come March 30.
“This historic collaboration represents a harmonious fusion of African and Jamaican musical traditions, showcasing the power of music to bridge cultural divides and unite communities in celebration of faith and spirituality,” DAT said in a release.
As part of the Jerusalem concert, the organisers will be partnering with local charities and community organisations to provide security cameras in a number of schools to help beef up security.