New Oslo Gospel Choir Release Inspired by South Africa Feat. Courtney & Loyiso

Integrity Media Africa is excited to announce the brand new album from the Oslo Gospel Choir, titled Stay Amazed. Local stars Loyiso Bala and Courtney Jonas were chosen to capture the essence of South Africa on the album which is set to be another ground-breaking release, a 15 track artful blend of sounds and language.

The Managing Director of Integrity Media Africa, Nurden Cross is delighted with this new project "From the moment I first encountered the Oslo Gospel Choir in 2007 I have loved their unique sound. Stay Amazed is a studio project that contains great hints of Africa as it pre-empts their tour to South Africa next year. This is a dream come true for the choir as they love the unique sounds of Africa, and Africa loves the sound of choirs, so, in my opinion, this project has to be partnership made in heaven!" 


 Kari Jobe, Paul Baloche and Chris Tomlin, are just a few of the contributing songwriters on Stay Amazed. With songs such as ‘I’m singing’, ‘Above All’, ‘Create in me a pure heart’ and ‘Bambelela’, the lyrics are honest and descriptive, expressing a manifold of emotions.
Bala and Jonas spent a week in Norway this past August recording as headline artists on the latest delivery from one Europe’s most successful choirs. This is a huge honor as musical legends such as Andrae Crouch, Pat Boone, Neil Sedaka, and Princess Märtha Louise of Norway have performed on their albums in the past. In just 3 months from recording, Stay Amazed is ready, marking the choirs twenty-ninth album release.


Bala has always had a love for the choir arrangement, and spent his early years singing in the world famous Drakensburg Boys Choir. Adding to a long list of accolades and notable performances was Bala’s show alongside Alicia Keys, Shakira, the Black Eyed Peas and John Legend at the FIFA World Cup Kick-Off celebration concert at Soweto’s 30,000 capacity Orlando Stadium. Ex-presidents, business and TV moguls like Nelson Mandela, Richard Branson, Gordon Brown, Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey are just some of the public figures that Bala has been invited to perform for.


This October Courtney Jonas toured South Africa with one of the founding fathers of modern worship Brian Doerksen (Canada). Jonas performed as a guest lead vocalist at Doerksen’s live shows. The 22 year old singer, songwriter rose to fame with her performances on the hit shows ‘High School Musical’ and ‘Evita’ as well as the presenter and performer on the teen music show ‘iShine Southern Starz’.


Since the Oslo Gospel Choir’s conception in 1988, the choir has performed more than 1000 live shows, and have sold in excess of 1.5 million albums globally. Between the years of 1990 and 2000, the choir became the highest selling artists in Norway, topping album sales of Michael Jackson. The thirty-two piece choirs appeal has successfully transcended age, race and gender.


The Stay Amazed CD will be on sale throughout South Africa in November, in time for the Christmas period. The Oslo Gospel Choir will be touring South Africa in the New Year, where visuals of South Africa will be captured and a Live DVD of Stay Amazed will be born. More details to follow.