Night out with Dumza Maswana.

 

Yesterday, 13 June 2014, I attended the Youth unplugged concert at the Joburg Theatre in Braamfonitein along many other kings and queens of the Jozi night scene. Just incase you’re thinking  it was  one of those youth collabo concerts, where the young perform poetry, do skits,  dance and attempt to sing, well it was not. The night was of intimate song offerings from a rising musician, Dumisani Maswana aka ‘Dumza’.  As usual I arrived at the venue a bit early before time (this always allows me to see whose coming with whom and do a bit of socialising here and there). Unexpectedly just as I was doing my own venue assessment (checking if the loo is clean or whether the emergency exit points were operational incase one had to use them), I bumped into a couple of familiar faces and TD Jokes happened to me one of them. I immediately knew that I would be unruly for the night as we set next to each other throughout the concert.  In no time, the venue was open, very small and intimate but fit for the occasion. Everybody made way, got seated and the music had to begin.

To set the tone for the evening was Mpho Ludidi, a guitarist who also backs as a tenor vocalist in the band. When he took to stage, I had doubts of my own as in this short lifetime I have come across very few singers who can play and deliver vocally with great effort at the same time. But this talent proved me wrong as he delivered a with a clear calm voice and sincere emotion singing ‘Lelolanga’. I found myself humming the melody and snapping fingers as he souled the audience along. The rest of the band joined and the backing vocalists- Tumelo Moloi (soprano) and Kgomotso (alto) also took position. It was my first time hearing them live and I can confidently say that Dumza is well backed with those three behind him. So they stole my heart as they paced along the band with an item that first sounded like the national anthem, not that I was opposed to the idea of starting with Nkosi Sikelel’I Africa, but they later on switched to Sombawo, the first official item for the night. The mood for the evening was set and the main man for the night took to stage as the lovely audience cheered for him on.

 

The talented Maswana in a grey suit salved from Sombawo to “So hard”, it was my first time hearing this song but I can tell you that I was on my feet singing along as there was a favourite line that went “I have worked so hard to get where I am with god by my side…” (something like that) but in its rationale the song resonated in me and the current situation in ways more than one.  Following that was ‘Changed Man’; I loved what he did in his line up as he introduced new songs and backed them with old ones from his debut album. This track has always been one of my favourites from his album. This time around the delivery was done with a bit of a twist as he gave the floor a taste of what the voices behind him could do. In their incredible outdo, they showed us flames. Kgomotso, has a lovely voice but beyond that I was impressed with her range, she went higher and higher. Next was Tumelo Moloi, she is not just a Ntokozo Mbambo look alike, the lady gave the word “SANG” as Americans would say, a proper definition for the night. Those ladies sang the daisy lights out in songville. Following that was ‘I Choose To Believe’, another new song that spoke to me too. I must say Dumza has grown as an artist over the years; he has found his signature sound and putting it into good use.  Another song I loved was ‘Njenge Fish’, I don’t know why but I love it Hahahaha. Perhaps it’s the love effect in it.

When I thought I was ready to seat down or take a break, Dumza introduced Keke Mabusela on stage. THAT WAS ILLEGAL DUMZA!!! NO!  I couldn’t handle so much talent in one night. It was just beyond my capacity. Way beyond what I could handle in one night. I’m not quite sure whether to call that singing but let me say Keke made beautiful sounds and melodies as he rendered ‘Sound Check’, a song he sings on Muffins. I don’t want to say much as I could end up with morethan three paragraphs attempting to describe this guy’s performance. He did it. After that performance, we deserved a 15-minute break which we took and refreshed for the second set.

After the break, Dumza took to stage and this time he seemed more free and comfortable. He danced more and interacted some more. With ‘The way’ being the first performance for this set, I must mention that a few honourable members in the audience seemed and sounded a bit ‘flafar’ (tipsy) than before. Im starting to think there was a gallon of home brewed beer somewhere at the back. Nonetheless, they made a great audience.  ‘The way’ and ‘Andikho’ followed before he did a tribute to the late Victor Ntoni. I must share that I also heard one of the ladies behind us saying “Oooh! I know Pastor Victor Ntoni”.

In his delivery of ‘Sethu’ by the late Ntoni, Dumza really seemed to be in space with this one as his emotions started to tap along. Yes, he got emotional and that is when some audience members began an offering service by putting money on stage. I felt that was a very noble gesture, a humbling sign of UBUNTU. Accompanied the tribute was ‘ Thetha’ also the late Ntoni.  Such emotional and soulful offerings.  A few other items fell on set before he closed the show with Nguye. But before that he took us back with ‘Molo’, a lovely song although there was a bit of an awkward moment when asked us to hold the person next to us, look at them and say molo… nothing wrong. Just awkward. The evening closed with Nguye, the main man took a bow and left the stage.

This was an illustrious evening. The songs were awesome and the audience was super. After what I saw last night, I have no doubt that Dumza is much closer than he thinks to becoming Mr Hottip in his genre.

The End!!!

 

I Want To Sing Gospel- Season 3 Voyage

Thursday, 27th March 2014, marked  the first  Season 3 broadcast  of Mzansi’s most loved Gospel singing competition, I Wanna Sing Gospel, offering a soul-filled music galore like never before.  Of thousands of hopefuls throughout the country, only one will make a match and walk away with a Grand Prize of R200 000 in cash and a rewarding recording deal. Thus far the competition has been on high and lows with talent ranging from contemporary to traditional singing style with viewers getting a chance to vote for their favourite talent after every broadcast on Thursday nights.

The musical journey kick started in November 2013 with an audition process in Durban, East London and Johannesburg, that set to discover South Africa’s next gospel stars that would go through 13 weeks of gruelling competition in a bid to impress the judges and the viewers at home.

Since the top ten took to stage, the contestants have been showcasing a wide range of musical ability leaving both the studio audience and the viewers at home longing for more.

Occupying the judging panel has been;

Award-Winning SA Gospel giant- Ntokozo Mbambo-Mbatha.

 

Sharp-tongue record label owner- Tsepo Zuzumuzi Nzimande.

 

Owner and founder of Big Fish Music- Sipho "Big Fish" Makhabane.

On this season though, music maestro Lindelani Mkhize returned as a musical mentor to these hardworking hopefuls inspiring each one to make their mark.

With that said, the standard of this season’s production was slightly lacking spark from the very first episode that touched ground earlier in March. This could also be as a result of a crucial prime-time airing time that competed with popular programmes in other channels.

In May 25, this season’s Top 5 was announced namely, Katludi (JHB), Nelisiwe (DBN)), Sibusisiwe (EL), Sthembiso (DBN) and Lynnzay (EL). Of these hopefuls only one will grab the big bucks and walk away with a guaranteed recording compact.

In June 01, the competition took an unexpected turn when none of the contestants went home following a heavy sigh moment when Nelisiwe, Lynnzay and Sthembiso made the bottom three. Sthembiso and Nelisiwe were no strangers in the bottom seat, however, the musical Lynnzay gave  judges a shock with them making utterances like, “You do not belong in the bottom three”.  This could have led to this unforeseen angle of judgement. This however meant that in the following episode, two people were standing for the walk of shame after elimination.

 

Tonight, 08 June, elimination took place as promised. A saddening announcement of two talented talents; Sibusisiwe and Katludi leaving the show took turn. With that leaving Lynnzay, Nelisiwe and Sthembiso battling for the grand prize. The show was however not the same after these two hung up their microphones. During the recording, things literally went from sweet to sour as the disgruntled viewers attempted to leave during the proceedings.

However, lets quickly have a close look at the Top 5 this season.

 

 

Lynnzay;

There is a usual saying that “if you want to know how to hit a note, go to a coloured church”. This contestant proved exactly that. From the very first day I heard her open her mouth; I knew she was no looser material. Lynnzay has been a remarkable high ever since she took to stage during the competition. Her vocal abilities are beyond spectacular. Beyond her voice, she has presence that fills the stage when she performs. She ministers and leaves you with Goosebumps after every performance. With a twist of Yolanda Adams in her range, she is taking a grand stand in the Top 3 for this season.  There is no doubt that Lynnzay is another big thing to hit the gospel music shores in Mzantsi.

Nelisiwe.

This talent has nothing loud in appearance. From a first glance, she appears ‘ordinary’ but her talent is definitely not. Nelisiwe started in a little uncertain position in the competition with that earning her two bottom three episodes. She however managed to redeem herself in each one. I saw flames from this lady’s performance when she performed a Zulu song (Title forgotten). In that performance even the most feared judge ‘Zuzumuzi’ was left thinking about the abducted girls in Nigeria. Nelisiwe gave her soul and showcased her sound musical knowledge and ability to pitch high notes. For the gift in her, I can’t help but think of the former Joyous Celebration singer and backing vocalist- Ntombizodwa Mahlangu. Everytime she sang ‘ithende’, I would be  tempted to say “IHIIII or YHEHEEENI BO”. She is a power house and like Lynnzay, she is occupying a seat in the Top 3.

Katludi “Team Asijiki”

Katludi, Katludi, Katludi… who needs to go to a Bebe Winnans concert when we have you? The first time I met Katludi, I knew I had seen him somewhere, and it hit me, Idols SA in 2011. I immediately knew that the competition had a bit of a turn up this season as he was no stranger to voting and elimination. Indeed katludi took every performance to a personal high level. My favourite performance of him this season was when he perfomed “Never would have made it” by Marvin Sapp. I found myself standing on my feet and singing along. That’s the kind of effect his stage renditions had on me and many alike. It’s no secrete that Katludi had more supporters than any of the other contestants in studio. Despite his remarkable voice and perfomances though, he now and again received harsh and solid comments from some of the judges. Zuzumuzi  could not hide how happy he was about Katludi and how he though he was not ‘bringing out himself’. Katludi however continued to bring his very best till his last stand in the competition. He is definitely heading towards greatness.

Sibusisiwe.

Sibusisiwe is a gentle dove with chill that says “just hand me the microphone and let me do my thing”. The red hair talent was different amongst the rest. From her dress-style to her presentation on stage. Being a polite contemporary-jazz-gospel artist she is, she faced up to the challenges of singing some of the traditional gospel offerings as ordered by her mentor. In an episode before her last, she took to stage featuring another former season one contestant who has well established himself in the music industry Kgotso. In her duet, she closed her impressive performance with Sipho Makhabane’s  “Zawa” which left the judges well impressed except for Tsepo Nzimande who believed she was just “MILD”. This remark left many of #TeamSibu’s supporters in the studio and in social polls with a burden and resolute to vote. Sibusiswe’s last performance where she sang Jessica Reedy’s God Has Smiled On Me dragged emotions along with a couple of guests in the audience wiping watery eyes and goosey skin. My personal favourite performance by her was when she nailed the famous “Instrument of Praise” by The Clark Sisters. There’s no doubt Sibusisiwe is breaking all the stereotypical rules in the music scene with her rare approach to gospel music. A trend setter in a pathway.

 

Sthembiso

This one is a fighter. From occupying the bottom 3 morethan twice, he has proven that he is no “weakest link” as Nzimande once remarked. He is another gentle singer who can effortlessly merge contemporary with traditional and give other contestants a run for their talent. Sthembiso has literally evolved throughout the competition. He has moved from a talented yet shy singer to a stage occupying brave singer. It has been such a pleasure observing him throughout the competition. He also has a very distinct signature voice. Ntokozo Mbambo made it no secret of how impressed she was with his bottom notes and how she taught he was improving in every performance. Although he seemed ready to go home after every last performance due to a few votes, the judges kept him on with a lifeline till he made it to the TOP 3. Although this came as a surprise to many following his numerous lifelines, Sthembiso is now battling for the grand prize with two other contestants in the Top 3.

 

This far, the competition has been a rollercoaster ride, from pick-up cheery moments to lowdown saddening ones. With Sibusisiwe and Katludi out of the competition, the question still remains, who will be crowned South Africa’s News gospel sensation between Nelisiwe, Lynnzay and Sthembiso.