Mbuyane told a Sunday paper that Sharon’s switch to gospel comes naturally because she was raised in a religious family and sang gospel in her youth before joining Joyous Celebration – one of the most successful gospel groups in the country. He added that Sharon Dee, real name Sharon Dlamini, sees gospel as more suitable to her voice and style.

Sharon Dee, who is the former wife of Zimbabwean soccer star Peter Ndlovu, gained prominence in the late 90s with her single “Local is lekker”. The singer says she hopes to inspire people with her gospel album which will be released towards the end of September 2010.

Before releasing the album, Sharon Dee will share the stage with gospel heavyweights such as, Hlengiwe Mhlaba, Tshepiso Motaung, Sfiso Ncwane, Dumi Mkokstad and Indumiso Gospel Group.

These gospel artists will perform at the Mapulaneng College of Education Multipurpose Centre in Bushbuckridge on September 4.

Two weeks ago, Shuping was admitted to Pretoria’s Akasia Private Hospital, where he spent a week in the intensive care unit before being moved to an ordinary ward. Shuping’s health started deteriorating in 2007 after a horrific car accident that left him crippled and unable to speak – stealing his much loved singing voice.

Shuping recorded his first album, Mahlomoleng Aka in 1992, with a group called Atteridgeville Happy Boys. A vibrant performer, Shuping then rose to fame with his multi-platinum solo album, Kea Cha Kea Tuka.

According to a family spokesman Lebelo Maleka, the singer’s condition had worsened to the point that he could not do anything for himself. Maleka says Shuping was a humble man who loved people and music.

During his career, Shuping performed with many top gospel musicians and toured the country, spreading the word of God through his music.

Shuping’s memorial service will be held this Thursday (July 15, 2010) at Akasia Town Hall in Pretoria, starting at 10am. He will be laid to rest on Sunday (July 18, 2010).

At the time of his death, the talented singer was 47. From Gospel Life, may his soul rest in peace.

The 26-year old former model says her magazine, titled Isambulo (The Revelation), will offer a fresh perspective on what a Christian woman is and how she should look and conduct herself. The publication is financed by S’fiso and will be available in stores all over South Africa at the end of this month. Ayanda says the magazine will also be distributed in neighbouring countries including, Mozambique and Swaziland.

‘Isambulo’ is written in English and predominantly features interviews with gospel musicians, a women-centric column, trendy décor tips as well as tips for teenagers struggling with drug abuse.
The first issue will feature S’fiso on its cover. Ayanda and S’fiso have been married for three years.
S’fiso, who launched his sophomore album early this year, says he is excited about the magazine, not because it was done by his wife, but because it is a different take on the Christian lifestyle.

The magazine will be officially launched on July 2 at a star-studded concert which will feature Rebecca Malope, S’fiso, Sphumelele Mbambo and Benjamin Dube. The concert will take place at the Jesus Dome in Mayville, Durban and tickets are available at Computicket for R250.

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

“I can confirm that Lundi was in hospital last week. He was released after three days and is recovering at home,” said Dzimande.

A source at the hospital also said the multi-award winning singer was vomiting blood when he arrived at the hospital.

Once an emulated gospel musician, Lundi lost touch with many gospel music fans when he started making headlines for his allegedly wild behavior. He has previously made headlines for drug and alcohol abuse, sleeping with multiple partners, abusing women and attacking journalists. He was also the first gospel musician to win Metro’s Most Controversial Personality award.

But Lundi, 30, blames journalists for ruining his career. In August 2006, he told a Tonight journalist that he would retire at 30 because he was tired of the media. “I am tired. I want to retire when I’m 30. I want to go back to my home in Worcester and open up a business that has nothing to do with the music industry,” he said in an interview.

His latest album ‘Inkosi Iyayazi’, was met with mixed reviews last year, failing to win awards like most of his previous albums.

We wish Lundi a speedy recovery.

Titled ‘Joyous Celebration 14: Life Changing Worship, Live In Bloemfontein’ (Sony SA) and supported by Old Mutual, the CD consists of two discs with a total of 24 tracks, while the accompanying DVD features all of these tracks rendered in Joyous Celebration’s signature scintillating live performance style.

The launch of the renowned Gospel group’s latest release comes just a week after Joyous Celebration scored yet another South African Music Award nod – this time in the categories: Best Duo/Group, Best African Contemporary Gospel & Best Traditional/African Adult Contemporary DVD for the 2009 release ‘Joyous Celebration 13: Live at the Mosaiek Theatre, Johannesburg’.

All bets are on the multi-million selling ensemble taking home the SAMA mid-April 2010 – something they have done many times over, including in 2009 when ‘Joyous Celebration 12’ was named Best African Contemporary Gospel Album at the May event held in Sun City.

As the anticipation around the release of Joyous Celebration 14: Live In Bloemfontein reveals, Joyous Celebration has managed to consistently deliver uplifting, inspiring and simply joyous Gospel music since its formation in 1996.

Much of this has to do with the group’s three founders – Lindelani Mkhize, Jabu Hlongwane and Pastor Mthunzi Namba, a trio of producers, songwriters and artists who are widely recognised as the most gifted individuals working in contemporary Gospel music across the whole sub-continent.

Says Mkhize, “What many people don’t know is that 14 years after we formed this group, the three of us still get an enormous satisfaction from creating each album and live show and discovering the new talent for this amazing choir.”

This time around, ‘Joyous Celebration: Live In Bloemfontein’ was, as its title suggests, recorded in the Free State. “It was in December 2009 that we undertook the recording and the response from the fans in the audience really added something special to this recording,” says Hlongwane.

The reasonably-priced, double CD is produced by Lindelani Mkhize and Nqubeko Mbatha, who was discovered, groomed and trained by Joyous Celebration. The CD also boasts songwriting from a star-cast, which includes some of Joyous Celebration’s founders.

Disc one features 11 Praise and Worship songs including “Give You All the Glory”, “Walk With Me”, “In the Presence of the Lord”, “We Win”, “I’m Yours” and “Ngimi Lapha”. Disc two, meanwhile, has all the ingredients to become a firm favourite for those who love African traditional Gospel music in its most pure form. Among the tracks on the album are “Asikho Isikhali”, “Ngijulise”, “Thula Wazi”, “Noya na”, “Abakholwa kuJesu” and “Big God” which features lyrics and vocals by Uche Agu.

Nigerian Gospel singer, Agu performed the song “My God Is Good” on the ‘Joyous Celebration 13’ album and it rapidly became one of the most popular songs on that album, in the process underscoring Joyous Celebration’s pan-African appeal.

As a companion to the double CD, the ‘Joyous Celebration 14: Live In Bloemfontein’ DVD is everything fans have come to expect from this incredible act: magnificent High Definition quality, wonderful choreography and costuming and beautiful music sung by some of southern Africa’s most gifted.

April to August 2010 sees Joyous Celebration embark on a five city, eight-date national tour, sponsored by Old Mutual. The group will also be undertaking auditions during this period and beyond, cementing its standing as a platform for undiscovered Gospel singers to reach a broader audience and, quite frequently, launch their careers.

Author: Eddie Hatitye

Controversial gospel hip hop artist Jub Jub was driving one of the two Mini Coopers that mowed down four teenagers in an illegal street race yesterday, Johannesburg Metro Police confirmed today.

At around 4pm, Jub Jub, real name Molemo Maarohanye, and an unnamed friend were racing each other along Mdlalose Street in Protea Glen, Soweto, when they lost control of their Mini Coppers and swept aside six schoolboys walking on the pavement.

The horrific accident claimed the lives of four matric pupils and left two others critically injured. The pupils were aged between 17 and 19.

A witness at the scene said one of the mini coopers had a sticker with Maarohanye’s nickname written on it. The witness said Maarohanye’s manager, Jeff Maranela, tried to remove the sticker, but police pushed him away before he could.

Police said they were not sure if it was Maarohanye’s vehicle or the other one that struck the teens.

An angry mob of community members who witnessed the horrific accident descended on both drivers and threatened to kill them, forcing police to intervene to save their lives.

Both drivers were arrested at the scene and officers say they are undergoing tests to establish whether they were under the influence of drugs.

This morning, the rapper’s facebook fan page was abuzz with messages from disappointed fans.

“My man, you really disappointed me & your fans at large!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I wish you good luck with the case, as you will be facing the law Morena,” wrote one disappointed fan.

“M not gona go back n forth on this one…u r a murderer. I really do hope the law takes its cause on you. I can only imagine the pain that the families of those boys are going thru right now,” wrote another angry fan.

Jub Jub and his friend will appear in court later this week, on charges of reckless and negligent driving and four counts of culpable homicide.

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

She said this on Tuesday; just hours after two of the men suspected of rapping her and robbing her family were arrested. The singer’s wife was raped on the top floor of a security complex in Centurion while her helpless husband was tied up downstairs. The gang also stole their car, computer and cellphones.

Brittz, who was formerly involved in rehabilitation programmes at the Pretoria Central prison for criminal youths, said she would want to face her attackers and counsel them.

“I would very much like them to become involved in these programmes so that I can look them in the eye one day,” she said in an interview with News24’s Hilda Fourie

“I want to talk to them about the choices they made and how they got to where they are. I do believe these guys can be rehabilitated, but I don’t want them to be walking free in the street,” she added.

Police spokesperson Colette Weilbach said they were still looking for the rest of the gang.

Brittz said she is doing well despite her ordeal.

“I was raped. I know this. I’m at risk of contracting HIV, at great risk, and I realise this. I’m not living in denial because I have nothing to deny,” she said

Author: Eddie Hatitye

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