Nigerian gospel group The Smart Crew followed up their energetic catalogue with “Vigorous Praise,” released on May 6, 2026, and the Enugu-based group once again shows exactly why they occupy a unique space in Nigerian gospel music.
The title is direct. There is no metaphor to unpack here – The Smart Crew mean exactly what they say. “Vigorous Praise” pushes harder than most contemporary gospel records because the group never treats worship as a quiet or passive experience. For them, praise is physical, communal, and loud. That philosophy runs through every second of this record.
MrSmart produced the session again, and his consistency across the group’s recent releases has become one of their clearest strengths. Since he also engineered “Hot Praises Session” and “Super Praise,” there is a sonic thread connecting all three records. However, “Vigorous Praise” leans more heavily into traditional eastern rhythms than either of those two releases. The Igbo gospel praise influences sit closer to the surface here, and the live instrumentation feels sharper as a result.
What makes this interesting within the group’s recent run is the sequencing of releases. “Hot Praises Session” arrived in March, “Vigorous Praise” in May, and “Super Praise” followed shortly after. That pace suggests a group operating with real creative momentum rather than releasing music just to stay visible. For fans of indigenous Nigerian gospel who want something rooted and celebratory at the same time, “Vigorous Praise” delivers without compromise.
DISCUSSION