Every beginning of the year I go to fellowship at any church that hosts a convention to start the year on a devine note, this year I decided to fellowship at Change Bible Church,was the first time Ive attended their convention and oh my goodness the excitement of being in that house of worship made me feel so blessed to be part of the convention. To be honest I thought it was gonna be an ordinary service where we sing then it is offering then the word then we go home. Since I didn't see the poster had no idea that they invited international speakers and that on its own got my attention, my mind was set " I will be attending this convention the whole week" with a big smile. One of the factors that drew me Even closer to the convention was the music and the artist who performed at the convention. Oh but wait I do not think it is appropriate to call it a performance at church, aah let me say ministered. Ladies and Gentlemen present to you " The True Worshippers".
It was on a Tuesday evening 8th of January 2013 when for the first time I hear this man singing, usually I see him on posters as a guest artist but last Tuesday was the day I got to hear him. Like any artist being introduced to the audience with his work and achievements I rather expected to see an egotistical man who sees himself better then everyone, I mean for a person who has three albums and has travelled the world oh not to forget that he was part of the forever loved Soweto Gospel Choir. Tumelo Matlala the big man with a big voice,got on the stage and turned that big stage to be so small. He began his item with a worship song and got us to all teary some went down on their knees,you cold feel from his voice that this is a person who loves singing for the Lord, a worshipper who by his voice brings down the Holy spirit and touch lives.Tumelo's stage presence is different from most up and coming artists, his got that thing that makes you want to listen to him.After a wonderful worship song he sang a medley of choruses that's when I saw Tumelo get down on the stage, making people dance and everyone was joyous from that item he left the stage while everyone was still enjoying the song he was singing,one question that poped into my mind "where has this guy been hiding?". Tumelo I want to see you at this years Gospel Crown Awards my brother and I wish you all the best for this year and I will be keeping tabs on you.
Wednesday 9th of January was yet another day where at the evening service there was an artist who came to minister and to my great surprise ZAZA was called to the stage,people started screaming as she was assending the stage ZAZA ZAZA ZAZA the crowed shouted, I stood up and with much anticipation waited for ZAZA to start singing. She got on the stage an dominated it, she made her own and made sure to the band and the backing team the she incarge and that they should follow her lead. WOW her stage presence is so strong that we felt as we were at the floor and the first words she uttered were HALLELUJAH HALLELUJAH that on it's own changed the atmosphere to be a worship atmposhere. Then she started her item with the song we were first introduced to her from Joyous 12 'Namhla Nkosi', the crowd did not waste anytime and started singing with her,screaming their lungs out encouraging ZAZA to break into the next level of her worship,when she got to the chorus of the song one could not help but be in the spirit! They way she projects her voice to singing those high notes is what makes her different and powerful,you can tell she sings deep from her belly and that brings out the worshipper in her. I think I will take time attend one of her shows to get the full experience of worship with ZAZA,most of I would like to hear her sing a chorus rather than a worship song.This woman will be doing wonders ,watch the space.
With the great line up we had the past two days, I was really anxious to find out who would be ministering to us on Thursday the 10th of January.The introduction was made and when she was called up to the stage,the ever beautiful Mahalia Buchanan dressed in white took to the stage with her exquisite smile just brightening up the room,I turned to my partner and said that woman is beautiful! She is so humble and full of life with an accent that is rare to find, she is the type of person that you wonder is she South African or American? With me still puzzled about that, someone behind me shouted " I love that coloured woman from Joyous Celebration" lol. After she did her greetings and acknowledgements it was time to sing. She sang two beautiful worship songs of which one of them she sang on Joyous 16,she is a story teller with a warm voice that just sooths your spirit,calms you down and gets you to be in touch with your soul. The kind of voice that one would like to hear when going through a hard time saying" lift up your eyes unto the hills" ironic that she was wearing white cause that sounded like an angel singing to us. Unlike most artist who have that up in your face stage presence, Mahalia draws you to pay attention with her humility the type of character that says I have a message for you. She has an angelic voice that is not loud but grabs you attention. I have to say this, Mahalia is angel and I was there to see it for myself. I can't get over the worship she blessed us with,even recorded her singing, I was really blessed. I think if Mahalia were to release an album it would sell faster then you could say Mahalia, so come on miss Buchanan we waiting for your debut album,if not then give us a single.
On Saturday the 12 of January,the church held a free concert where a number of artists were invited to perform,but the last two acts caught my attention. The last artist was getting off the stage and we were sitting waiting for the next artist to come on stage,as usual the band comes in and set up there instruments you know the works, to our surprise the hottest gospel band this season took to the stage,if you don't know who I am talking about let me introduce them. Piano Nqubeko Mbatha, 2nd keys Siyanqoba Mthethwa, bass Bheka Mthethwa, guitar Devine and drums Sabu, these guys are HOTT jealous down and we all know it!
Anyways they got on the stage to set up and everybody got very excited because we knew we about to hear a totally different sound to what us regular church people are used to,get this thay will be performing live.oh yeah oh yeah* jumping up and down*.Next thing we saw was the ushering team surrounding the stage,this could mean one thing,but nah it can't be. The program director was not given a chance to finish, as soon as she said the first black S.A idols winner OMG the crowd went crazy I'm sure I saw a couple of girls fainting when Khaya Mthethwa took to stage. He came on stage with loads of energy and was rubbing it off unto the masses,opened his item with "Vula Vula Vula" the intro song he did on Joyous 16, he was chanting,jumping up and down he was all over the stage interacting with the crowd. Nobody wanted to sit down and miss an opportunity to see Khaya perform right in front of their eyes.
To be honest I expected Khaya to entertain and drive the crowed crazy or even pull new tricks we don't know which was gonna make everybody go wow, that was not the Khaya who was there on that day. I saw Khaya the worshipper, a young man hungry for God and wanting to spread the word through song.He was Khaya the guy we saw praising the Lord with Joyous Celebration,no fancy staff just Khaya worshipping God. He changed the whole excitement atmosphere to a completely profound worship mood,his worship was saying it's all about God not Khaya Mthethwa, he sang so much that we forgot that Khaya Mthethwa was singing. Everything about him being on stage was authentic even quoted a couple of verses in between. I looked at Khaya and thought to myself, this the time that Gods people rise! We love you Khaya and we will keep supporting.#Team Christ
The last performance of the concert was Ntokozo Mbambo.This woman is taking gospel music to the next level, she is a true worshipper and a very anointed woman of God. Her voice,her stage presence,her songs wow really she is amazing beyond words. As I am writting about her I took a moment to clap for I am writting about a woman of God and I am respecting her in her absence. Ntokozo Mbambo is the kind of artist when she gets on stage you just want to take a seat and listen to her singing,but that's impossible the minute she starts singing you just feel like singing along with her.She is calm on stage and conducts everybody with her voice,she is a diva and no one Can take that away from her. With title title of Queen of Gospel is taken I think Princess of Gospel, she deserves this title. Her DVD is selling quite well and everywhere you go you hear someone playing her song and TV just loves playing her show. Ntokozo Mbambo congrats with the two awards you got at the Gospel Crown Awards I wish you the best for this year,may your album reach platinum and please give us the Metro award to if you nominated.*salute*
To Change Bible Church's music director Nqubeko Mbatha thank you Sir for arranging the music it was beautiful a week I will never forget in my life.To the band, you guys sounded really great and I totally enjoyed listening to you guys.The choir wow wow and wow, you sounded good from day one till the last day and you guys were dressed the part to.
Thank you Pastor Nzo
Musicians I will be coming to performances or rehearsals to blog about you and to give people more information about you.
Every Thursday I will be posting about an artist or group and even our musicians.
Till next week Thursday, lets keep making good music.
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