StepFWD Gospel news and arts

Gospel News is curated by O’Neil Dennis, founder of AStepFWD.com, the UK Christian Charts, StepFWD Awards and more. To get in touch, email info@astepfwd.com 

DJ HAYCH’S ONES TO WATCH 2026

2025 has given us some great music, live shows and award shows. It has been a special year, but the ground in the UK feels fertile for even stronger growth of the Christian and Gospel music scene in 2026.

Here are just a few of my ones to watch this year. 

Chantelle Rutendo
The UK project I played the most was Chantelle Rutendo’s To My Friend and My King. It is an incredible debut album and a strong introduction to Chantelle as an artist. Full of depth, vibe and, most importantly, rooted in praise to God, the project stands out in its own right. 2026 feels like it could be an even bigger breakout year for Chantelle and I’m grateful to be able to witness it.

Deca OTA
Coming off the release of his latest album, The Human Condition, Deca OTA has had a strong year, building on a consistent 2024. One of my favourite collaborations of the year, alongside Y Shadey and Hunnid2Hebron, highlighted just how much Deca OTA continues to grow. He has shown that he deserves real respect within the scene, and I’m looking forward to seeing how his artistry continues to evolve in 2026.

DJ Shunz
Not only one of the most well-known gospel DJs in the scene, DJ Shunz is also a respected producer behind standout tracks such as ‘Blessings and Favour’ and ‘Christian Walk’. With a unique sound that consistently gets people onto the dance floor, especially on Gospel 2.0 Riddim, Shunz continues to set her own lane. We can hope that she keeps delivering those unmistakable DJ Shunz bangers.

Hunnid2Hebron
Alongside Deca OTA and DC3, Hunnid2Hebron has been one of my favourite rappers of 2025, with an incredible rise over the past year. Following the release of ‘Elohim’ in 2024, he carried that momentum into 2025 with ‘(Let Go &) Let God’. His features and overall sound consistently offer a fresh perspective and they hint at what 2026 could hold for him musically.

DayThree Music
The Premier Gospel Award-winning group DayThree Music gave us the splendid live album Heaven’s Song (Live) in 2025, with the title song being played on repeat. DayThree Music have a beautiful sound and blend of music and voices, which gives me anticipation for the excellent worship they will be able to showcase in 2026 and in the seasons to come.

Nashe
Nashe* is a gifted worshipper who has consistently showcased who God is to her through her music at every opportunity. Although her only official release in 2025 was a feature on the ‘Smsmba’ song with Rodwell, I truly believe that whatever God has in store for Nashe within worship and gospel music in 2026 will bless us throughout the year and beyond.

TKE3
Born in Nigeria and raised in the UK, TKE3 continues to showcase both his artistry and production skills in every song he creates. His sound is very distinct and perfectly displayed in songs like ‘Beam Me Up/Work Of Art’. One thing I am particularly excited about with TKE3 is how he tells a story, potentially through an EP or album in 2026.

Turah Sadiq
Turah Sadiq may not have released her own singles outside of being part of the amazing Warehouse Worship, but whenever she is featured as a lead, she brings a necessary maturity to her worship that translates beautifully through both the songs and her social media. I look forward to what 2026 holds for her growth, both with Warehouse Worship and as a worship leader in her own right.

Yourboywonder
Not only did Yourboywonder give us a great album, Before We Leave: AURORA to kick off 2025, but he also closed the year with the YAGA EP, showcasing both his Caribbean-influenced sound and his impressive versatility. This makes me excited to see what he will create in 2026.

Follow DJ Haych on Instagram @dj_haych

HIT PLAY ABOUT SINGLES IN CHURCH TO TOUR UK

‘Why Didn’t I Get Married?’, a comedy drama about the longstanding issue of singleness in the Church by playwright Alan Charles is currently on a UK tour. It kicked off in Luton on January 18 and audiences can see it at Hackney Empire on February 1, Broadway Theatre Catford on February 15, Sue Townsend Theatre, Leicester on March 1, and Crescent Theatre, Birmingham on April 5.

First staged last year to sell-out audiences, ‘Why Didn’t I Get Married?’ generated much discussion and received rave reviews. It made the audience laugh, cry and go “What?!!!”

Alan wasn’t surprised by the responses. “The play offers an honest, in-your-face, no-holds-barred examination of an issue that affects everyone,” he said. “Audiences – especially single women and men in the Black Church – have been really pleased that their stories and experiences are being addressed head-on in a way that’s honest, relatable and still humorous.”

Several factors motivated Alan to write ‘Why Didn’t I Get Married?’ He explained: “This play is inspired by three intersecting influences: a challenge to address the struggles of singles in the Church; the book Black, Christian and Single (edited by Keep The Faith Editor, Marcia Dixon), which suggested the Church bears responsibility for the high number of single Black women; and Dr Umar Johnson’s claim that the Black Church has a vested interest in keeping Black women single. The play explores whether the Church is complicit in singleness and whether it benefits from it.”

Alan believes the male/female ratio in the Church – more women than men – has serious consequences for both singles and marrieds. “This imbalance contributes to high levels of adultery within the Church, as some men take advantage of the abundance of single women, creating moral and relational tensions that are too often ignored.”

The play’s premise entails putting the Church on trial, charging it with being responsible for the large number of singles in congregations. The cast, comprised of Christians from across the UK, gave evidence for and against the Church.

Humour is used heavily by Alan to deal with what is a sensitive and painful issue for many. “Humour in the play comes from our shared experiences,” he explained. “Often, we laugh not because the situation itself is funny, but because we relate to it and see the lighter side of serious, sensitive topics. Audiences want edge-of-the-seat drama, but they also want a fun night out to laugh and forget their worries. I aim to balance this by ensuring the audience is both entertained and educated, creating a meaningful, ‘edutaining’ experience.”

A well-known figure within church circles, Alan has been writing and staging plays since 1998. His productions include: ‘I Am Getting There’, ‘Love Sax And All That Jazz’, ‘Da Mans Dem’, ‘Shoulda Coulda Woulda’, ‘Midlife Crisis’, and latterly, ‘Why Didn’t I Get Married?’

Alan has high hopes for ‘Why Didn’t I Get Married?’ – one of them being for the production to be a part in continuing the ongoing discussion about singleness, marriage and relationships, in the Black Christian community. “Many single people are hurting, and the Church often appears unaware or indifferent to their struggles. Through the play and the accompanying seminars, I aim to provide guidance, solutions and opportunities for healing and understanding. Whether someone is single or married, the goal is to encourage reflection, growth and success in relationships, while fostering a more supportive and compassionate church community.”

Connect with Alan Charles on Facebook for ticket details.

(*not to be confused with NASHE)