Fraser, who was initially not nominated this year, is now up against The Plain Truth, Margaret Motsage and Thembi Seete in the Best Music Video category. According to the awards’ spokes person, Wendy Sithole, Fraser had the second most votes after Jub Jub and automatically became a replacement.

The Crown Gospel Music Awards were created 3 years ago to recognise South African gospel musicians. Three categories, namely Best Gospel Song, Classic Of all Times and Best Gospel Artist are voted for by the public. Fans can vote for their favourite musos by sending an SMS with the name of the musician to 34069 or calling 084 198 3292.

The winners will be announced at the ICC in Durban on November 21.

Others nominees include:
BEST MASKANDI: Kwenza, Intombi kaJehova, Mfiliseni Magubane, Bonakelew
BEST DVD: Songs & Psalms, Lusanda Spiritual, Uche, Andile kaMajola
BEST NEWCOMER: Bukiwe, Reality 7, Sgwili and Babo, Linah Mahlangu
BEST R&B/RAP: Fifty50 Family, Sir J Afrique, Simply Chrysolite, Intense
BEST JAZZ: Jo Anne Q, Lulu Dikane, Karabo Mongatane, Sfaniso
BEST MALE: Sfiso Ncwane, Tshepiso, Sechaba, Israel Mosehla
BEST FEMALE: Veliswa Skeyi, Kholeka, Lusanda, Winnie Mashaba
BEST SONGWRITER: Percy Ingle, Babo, Joel Maposa, Andile kaMajola
BEST GOSPEL GROUP: Ncandweni, Abanqobi, Worship House, IPCC
BEST TRADITIONAL: Kholeka, Veliswa, Thobekile, Sechaba
CLASSIC OF ALL TIME: Lusanda, Hlengiwe, Lundi, Abanqobi
BEST MUSIC VIDEO: The Plain Truth, Deborah Fraser, Margaret Motsage, Thembi Seete
BEST WORSHIP ALBUM: Tshepiso Motaung, Kholeka, Andile kaMajola, Israel Mosehla
BEST PRAISE ALBUM: Tshepiso Motaung, PS Ncanda, CRC, Uche
BEST GOSPEL ARTIST: Sfiso Ncwane, Sechaba, Sipho Makhabane, Winnie Mashaba
BEST GOSPEL SONG: Sfiso Ncwane, Uche, Zaza, Khanyisa
BEST GOSPEL PRODUCER: Big Boy Mlangeni, Sipho Makhabane, Babo, Joel Maposa.

uThando is the first secular album by iconic South African gospel singer, Deborah Fraser. The 10-track album was produced by Sello “Chicco” Twala, Sipho Sithole, Master Wakes and Abe Sibiya – four music industry stalwarts with over 60 years of combined experience in the business.

Unlike her previous albums, uThando meaning love, is an Afro-pop offering based on secular themes.

Released in 2009, the album was recorded in the aftermath of tragic events in Fraser’s life. She had been dealing with the demise of her marriage as well as the death of her parents and brother. The Durban-native says she had to “ease the pain by straying away from emotional gospel lyrics”.

The album fires-off with the turbo-charged lead single “Kusi kusi”, which was composed and produced by Chicco. With little help from the trendy vocoder effect, the songstress comfortably swings with the beat, talking about hope and optimism. Fraser marries her soothing voice with Sipho Sithole’s jazzy beat on the next song, “uThando”, which talks about love and happiness.

The singer then dedicates “You let me fly”, which is one of her best songs on the album, to her late father. Siya’s emotional R&B instrumental helps Fraser lament the death of her father in a way certain to attract sympathetic responses from her fans .

Another noteworthy track is “Kwerekwere (Nobody deserves to be called)”. The afro pop-flavored track sees Fraser calling on all South Africans to “love and stop discriminating foreigners”.

The CD sleeve reads: “To all my Gospel supporters, I still love you and won’t let you down. I will release next year and thank you so much for your continued support”. So, if you are a Christian and enjoys her gospel music, there is no need to worry, Deborah Fraser is still in good hands.

Cover/Art: 4/5 | Sound/Technical: 4/5 | “I like it factor”: 6.5/10

Caesar who is also known as  “The First Lady of Gospel Music”  will start her tour at Durban’s International Conference Centre on the 27th of November  before heading to Mpumalanga on the 28th and Johannesburg on the 29th. In Durban, she will be supported by South African gospel music heavyweights, Deborah Fraser and Hlengiwe.

Sipho Makhabane, the Church on The Hill Choir, Themba Mdluli, Goodman Mgibe, Benjamin Dube and Solly Mahlangu will join Caesar when she performs at Nelspruit Rugby Stadium in Mpumalanga.

Her tour will end at the Coca-Cola Dome in Johannesburg, where she will be supported by Zodwa Twecu, Keke and Redeemed.

Caesar, who is also a Pastor, began her recording career in 1951. Since then, she has recorded over forty albums, exploring her gift and spreading messages of faith. She has participated in over 16 compilations and three gospel musicals. She has been awarded 11 Grammy Awards, 13 Stellar Awards, 18 Doves, 1 RIAA gold certification, an Essence Award, McDonald’s Golden Circle Lifetime Achievement Award, NAACP Achievement Award, SESAC Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

Tickets for the shows are available at Computicket and Shoprite Checkers.

Written by Eddie Hatitye

Eddie: Awesome performance….

Deborah: Thanks Eddie. How do you do?

Eddie: You’ve just proved that a lot of people love you. Why do you think they love you so much?

Deborah: They love me because of what I do; I always perform my own compositions. The songs I sing are my original compositions. And the message I present to them is always relevant.

Eddie: What are you currently working on?

Deborah: I am working on my celebration album, not gospel album but celebration album.

Eddie: Ok. Why the change?

Deborah: I’ve been going through different trials and tribulations lately,  last year I lost my mom, this year in May I lost my brother and two weeks ago I buried my father so I’m trying to be happy despite the pain. I know if I go to studio and sing gospel at this moment people will cry because of the things I will be talking about. You see, sometimes it’s just too hard for me. But around Easter next year, people should expect a full gospel album.

Eddie: Where can we find you performing this summer?

Deborah: I have a lot of shows lined up – Durban, Johannesburg, Cape Town, everywhere. I also have shows in Nigeria and Kenya towards the end of this year.

Eddie: And how is the response outside South Africa?

Deborah: It’s great; it actually feels as if I’m performing in South Africa.

Hundreds of gospel music lovers thronged Soweto’s Dobonsville stadium on Sunday (4 October), to witness live, the cream of the local gospel scene over nine hours. It was a very well organised event that undoubtedly left many fans gasping for more. The sound was phenomenal and the performers were more than prepared to rock the 2000 plus crowed.

Emceed by young TV presenter, Twasa (popular for SABC’s Jam Alley show) the fest kicked off at 9 am, with fascinating performances from up-and-coming names who readied the crowd for prominent names such as Rebecca Malope, Deborah Fraser,Sechaba, Hlengiwe Mhlaba, Sipho Makhabane, Winnie Mashaba and Keke. Things really started heating up at around 11 am, upon the introduction of household names, in particular Sechaba, who dazzled the audience with hits from his commercially successful sophomore album “Modimo O Teng”.

From there on, the event got even better and better, complemented by chilly temperatures which also helped to stimulate massive dances in the audience.

Sechaba left the stage for husband and wife, Bongi & Collin, who took the event to another level with only five songs. Thereafter the iconic Deborah Fraser rocked in and it was very easy for her to woo the crowed with a few chart-topping hits that have made her one of the most successful female musician in the country.

The highlight of the afternoon came from Winnie Mashaba, who delivered arguably the best performance of the day. An up-tempo beat always works at such events and she was very conscious of that. Her energy really drove the crowed mad and she was sure to also showcase her vocal prowess during the 60-minutes-long performance.

Queen of gospel Rebecca Malope, Hlengiwe Mhlaba and Sipho ‘Big Fish’ Makhame concluded the festival on a very positive note before ending at 6pm.

After this experience, I’m really looking forward to attending next year’s addition.

Written by: Eddie Hatitye

Gospel music is a genre that requires more than just having a great voice. As a gospel artist, one needs to be able to jot down lyrics and sing songs that show a passion for the word of God. This also requires a little bit of creativity and the ability to visualise how the song can potentially touch peoples’ souls.

Deborah Fraser latest album is a live recording which showcases her singing, voice control and song writing ability.

One thing that really stands out is the use of live instruments. Gospel music is a genre that heavily relies on live instruments, so it is vital that those in charge of playing such instruments are fully equipped with unique skills so that they can craft the songs as a unique composition.

There are several laid-back song to listen to on this album including ‘Uma Kungenxa’, ‘Umoya Wami’ and ‘Nsndi Le Nqola’. Complimenting these songs are also up tempo compositions, ‘Thapelo’, ‘Susa Lomthwalo’ and ‘Hamba We Sathane’ that will fuel you to showcase your dancing moves.

As with her previous releases, Deborah does not disappoint in showing off her vocal chords with style. She smoothly swings her voice from note to note, fitting in perfectly to the music. Along the way she gets her band members to take the lead on a few songs only coming in to compliment what has been built.

This is a nice release that just fits in any day and time. Before you pray, listen to this album. Deborah’s live recording should be enough to help you gather strength to talk to God.

Who is Zodwa?

I was born in Port Elizabeth and started singing with a gospel group called The Real Christian Voices before I moved to pursuer my solo career in Johannesburg in 1997. It wasn’t as easy as I had anticipated but I finally met S’fiso Ncwane in 1999 and that’s when my career really changed. I started as backing vocalist and this got me a lot of exposure to also work with other well known musicians like Vuyo Mokoena, Deborah Fraser and Lundi Tyamara. I released my debut solo titled ‘Zodwa’in 2003. After that, I’ve released four albums, the latest titled “My Life’

What inspired you to do this album?

I was devastated after loosing my family. I was under a lot of pain but I realised that the Lord was testing my faith and strength so I remained strong and this album expresses my undying love for the Lord. The album is about healing and keeping your faith in God.

What’s your favorite track on the album?

I love them all you know but perhaps I can say “Under the Blood” because it makes me understand what’s going on in my life; it’s like my pillar of strength.

What can we expect from you in the future?

I’m now working as a record producer and currently in studio with my first gospel artist so am likely going to focus more in producing my own artists but will obviously keep on releasing more albums in the future.

How can your fans get in touch with you?

Firstly, let me say I was touched with the support I got from my fans during my trials and tribulations. It was helpful and I really appreciate it. Thanks a lot and keep on supporting me. My email is zodwatwecu@webmail.co.za