Gbenga Akinfewa

Gbenga Akinfenwa, also widely known by his creative moniker Phatstrings, is a prominent Nigerian gospel singer, songwriter, music producer, and IT professional. He has successfully blended a background in corporate technology with a deep calling for spiritual music, becoming a distinctive voice in Nigeria’s contemporary Christian music scene.

A native of Nigeria with Yoruba heritage, Akinfenwa is known for crafting deeply atmospheric worship songs that fuse soul, alternative sounds, and African identity.Beyond his vocal talent, he is a gifted bass guitarist, audio engineer, and the visionary behind Awesome Studios, where he works on music production, film scoring, and sound design.

He is best known for spiritually charged songs that capture testimonies of faith and divine mercy. Through his music, Gbenga Akinfenwa continues to impact the Christian community, delivering messages of gratitude, consecration, and the unending grace of God.

Quick Facts

Early Life and Background

Gbenga Akinfenwa was born into a devout Christian family in Nigeria. From birth, he was covenanted to God by his parents, making faith and service central to his identity from a young age. A pivotal moment in his early life occurred when he was ten years old. During a church service, his then pastor at the Apostolic Church called him and his younger brother out, laid hands on them, and prophesied that they would be used by God in the music ministry.This event served as his spiritual initiation into the path he walks today.

Education

Before fully dedicating himself to professional music production and ministry, Akinfenwa pursued a formal education in the sciences. He attended Olabisi Onabanjo University in Ogun State, Nigeria, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics with Electronics. This technical background laid the foundation for his future career in information technology and his eventual mastery of studio gear, audio recording, and sound design.

How His Music Career Started

Akinfenwa did not initially set out to become a full time gospel artist. For several years, he worked in the corporate sector as an IT professional, including a role as an analyst at Unilever Nigeria PLC.While building his tech career, he simultaneously functioned as a bass guitar player and music director across various church and campus fellowships.

During his university days in 1999, he received and recorded his first major gospel song, “Di Mi Mu”.The track became an anthem for youth consecration and grew incredibly popular across student fellowships in Nigeria.Around this time, his friends nicknamed him G-bass or G-strings because of his skills on the bass guitar.He eventually adapted this to “Phatstrings”, choosing “Phat” to represent excellence and “strings” to honor his instrument of choice.

Career and Breakthrough

As he balanced his demanding corporate IT career with his church responsibilities, Akinfenwa felt a divine push to step out of his comfort zone and fully embrace music.Transitioning into the gospel music industry, he founded Awesome Studios, stepping into the role of Chief Executive Officer and Creative Head. Through his studio in Lagos, he began producing high quality audio recordings and working on film compositions.

His breakthrough as a mainstream gospel artist was defined by his ability to release deeply personal songs inspired by his own walk with God and scriptural revelations. He quickly built a reputation for releasing music that was intentional and life giving, solidifying his place as a leading worship leader and producer.

Notable Songs and Albums

Gbenga Akinfenwa has released numerous impactful songs and projects that resonate heavily with the Christian community.In 2021, he released the highly acclaimed album “Jehovah Olugbeja”, which solidified his presence in the industry.He later followed up with other projects like his 2024 release, “Mercy Seat”.

He is widely celebrated for his hit single “Oba To Nja Funmi” (The King Who Fights for Me), which became a massive global anthem of praise and warfare.Another notable track, “Aanu Ni Mori Gba”, was deeply personal and inspired by a testimony following the birth of his son.His music often focuses on themes of divine mercy, answered prayers, and absolute reliance on God.

Major Collaborations

As a versatile producer and artist, Akinfenwa has collaborated with several respected figures in the Nigerian gospel industry. A major milestone in his career was featuring veteran gospel music legend Evangelist Dr. Bola Are on the song “Aseyi O wu”. The collaboration was a dream come true for him, as she had been one of his major musical influences since childhood.

He has also worked closely with modern gospel ministers, featuring Yinka Alaseyori on the deeply reflective track “Mii O Sin O Lasan”. According to Akinfenwa, the lyrics and melody for the song were downloaded while he was on a prayer walk in the UK. Furthermore, he collaborated with Bukola Bekes on the powerful song “Kabiesi” and has worked with other ministers like Sunmisola Agbebi.

Personal Life

Gbenga Akinfenwa is a dedicated family man who balances his ministry and production business with his personal life.He met his wife, who is of Igbo descent, at their workplace in 2007. The couple began dating in 2009 and officially got married in 2011. They are blessed with a son, whose miraculous birth after prayers at the Redemption Camp inspired one of Akinfenwa’s most beloved songs.He credits his spiritual grounding to his strong relationship with God and his dedication to creating music that adds value to the soul.