How many people are you looking for this year?

Hlongwane : We do not look for a specific number; we take everyone who is exceptionally talented onto our database and this is the database that we will be using in 2011.

OK, so every talented singer gets through?

Hlongwane : Yes but it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll make it into the group. For example you may be a very good tenor when we’re looking for a soprano. So we keep your name and you’ll be the first to know when we need a tenor.

OK….

Hlongwane : Yes but sometimes if the person is very good, we have no choice but to take them straight into the group. Right now we have a Nigerian artist called Uche, we took him because he came with something unique.

What is expected from a person coming to the auditions?

Hlongwane : The answer is actually simple. We are looking for people who will give us something new. We are not looking for a person that sings anything that we already have. If you sing like the person we already have, your chances of being taken are very slim.

Hints?

Hlongwane : Be yourself, be original and don’t imitate other artists. No one can be you but you. It doesn’t matter if you do not make it. You just need to be honest with yourself and do your best.

What are the dates for the auditions?

Hlongwane : The auditions will take place from 9am to 3pm on the day before each of the following concerts:

-State Theatre in Pretoria from 1 to 4 April 2010.
-His People Centre, Cape Town on 1 May,
-Mmabatho Convention Centre in Mafikeng on 5 June.
-ICC Durban ,31 July
-Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s Missionvale Campus in Port Elizabeth on 7 August.

Moshe says he recorded his latest song, “Umoya Wami”, with the legendary singer in mind. “Mokoena was a gospel king and I looked up to him. So in the song I am trying to put myself in his shoes, I’m trying to imagine what he was saying to himself when he was in pain in hospital.,” says Moshe.

The song, Umoya Wami features on Moshe’s latest album and doubles as an album title. Influenced by the ZCC church, Moshe has released three albums, all of which have served to cement his popularity in the local gospel music industry.

His album also carries a host of entertaining gospel songs, including “Mdali Wami”, “Izono Zami”, “Thusa Bophelo baka” and “Askies I’m Sorry”.

Moshe has worked with some of the most successful gospel musicians in South Africa including Solly Moholo, Winnie Mashaba and Sinky Mathe. He is also the founding member of one of the most promising Gospel groups in the country, Exodus.

Author: Eddie Hatitye

Venue: Gallagher Convention Centre, Hall 2
Date: 19th & 20th March 2010
Time: 19h30 (Doors open at 19h00)
Price: Entrance is free (maximum of 3 tickets per customer)
Ticket Collection: Please collect your tickets at Computicket, Shoprite, Checkers and Checkers Hyper before the event as there will be no collection facilities at the venue

For more information please follow the link below: http://www.computicket.com/web/event/back_2_the_beginning_conference/120591157

South African’s Soweto Gospel Choir has partnered with acclaimed US R&B stars; Akon and Keri Hilson, to record a charity song titled “Oh Africa”. The song, written by a popular American hip hop duo called Rock City and sponsored by Pepsi, also features 16 aspiring musicians from across the world.

The Soweto choir adds an African flavor to the song, with chants that make the backbone of the catchy chorus. The track’s music video features renowned footballers, Fernando Torres and Didier Drogba.

Akon last week confirmed that “Oh Africa” will feature on his eagerly-awaited 2010 album, as well as on Pepsi’s new football commercial.

According to Ahmed Abdel-Karim, UK marketing manager for Pepsi, proceeds from the track will go towards Akon’s Konfidence Foundation; an organisation whose intention is to help underprivileged youth in Africa.

Since starting out in 2002, the Soweto Gospel Choir has performed in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the US, Europe and Singapore, becoming an international, multi Grammy award-winning sensation.

The 26-member group has also shared stages with noteworthy international musicians like Celine Dion, BeBe Winans, Kirk Franklin, and John Legend. The group also runs a foundation that works closely with orphans and AIDS victims in South Africa.

At present they’re in the US, promoting their latest album titled Grace.

This comes after posters were spotted on the streets of Polokwane in Limpopo advertising the multi-award winning songstress as one of the artist to perform at a planned revival crusade.

Big Fish Music’s marketing director, Bigboy Mlangeni told Sunday Times that the organisers never approached Big Fish Music or Hlengiwe, who had only been booked to perform at Polokwane’s Cosmo Leisure.

“Big Fish Music calls on churches and music promoters to stop using artists’ names for wrong reasons as it is damaging to their careers” he told Sunday Times’s Godfree Mandiwana.

“Hlengiwe takes her fans very seriously and does not make promises that she can’t keep. It is theft to use artist’ names without clearance” he added.

Hlengiwe who is loved by thousand of event goers, started her professional career with Big Fish Music about a 5 years ago. Her debut album Dwala Lami achieved gold status and established her as one of the major driving forces behind South African gospel music.
Based in Kwa-Zulu Natal, the 36 year-old has recently won a South African Music Award (SAMA) for Best South African Contemporary Gospel and a Gospel Crown Award for best Classic Gospel Song.

Written by Eddie Hatitye

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

After having been involved and leading the choir for many years, the talented Simelane has decided to leave I.P.C.C and pursue a solo career in music.

Simelane has been the leader of the choir for many years, pushing it through eighteen successful projects. With her irresistible voice, the I.P.C.C has become popularly known for offering inspiring and healing songs. It was partly the work of the lead singer that helped the I.P.C.C. become one of the best selling gospel choirs of all times.

Simelane, who joined the International Pentecostal Holiness Church in the ’80s, will be releasing a solo album which is titled ‘Ngiphakamise’. On the album, the talented vocalist promises gospel music lovers to expect uplifting hymns and worship songs.

Besides leaving the I.P.C.C, the singer has also left the International Pentecostal Holiness Church so that she can pursue her calling to help disadvantaged people. It is clear that helping the poor has been something Simelane wanted to pursue a while back but couldn’t fulfill the mandate as she had other commitments. Now that she has created space for other interests, the female artist will surely be involved in community upliftment projects while she continues spreading the holy word of God.

Even though Simelane served the I.P.C.C for a very long time and contributed to positioning the choir where it is today, we should all support her in her new musical journey. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.”

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.

It is indeed great to see people from all the walks of life coming together to honor one of the artists that contributed to lifting Gospel music higher and higher.

It is no secret that Shuping is one artist that has won many hearts with his soul touching Gospel compositions. It was his God given singing talent that made him the talk of the town and amongst other things, a great Gospel artist.
On the 24th of Sept, those behind the awards organized a special prayer service which took place at the artist’s home in Pretoria, Attridgeville. Supporting one of their own, the service was attended by about twenty five gospel artists, including Solly Mahlangu, Zodwa, Tebs Davids, Reverend Nyembe and Rebecca Malope.
There is no doubt that such a special visit has put a smile on Shuping’s face. It is great to see artists supporting each other through thick and thin. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord,” – Romans 8:38-39.

Witten by: Eddie Hatitye