Entertainment / Music
Zim artist pens a guitar manual book
03 Feb 2017 at 01:47hrs | Views
JOHANNESBURG - The versatile Nkayi born and Bulawayo bred guitarist Mthabisi Moyo who dropped a hot gospel album last year in November has penned a new book that will be used as a manual for guitarists across Africa.
Speaking from his base in Johannesburg,in an interview with Southern Times Express, Moyo said: "I am actually about to launch my manual book for guitar lessons I specifically wrote for Africans so as to keep our music alive. My plan is to approach the government schools and start teaching kids about our own music and to make them understand how important it is to appreciate what God has given you and make use of it," Moyo said.
Powered by his experience and inspired by the lack of talented guitarists in Zimbabwean music industry as evidenced by his continuous hiring across genres, to play different guitar tunes, the 26 year old Moyo is determined to unlock the potential of upcoming artists.
The book project itself is a way of donating his thinking cap that ought to be translated into practical creative projects by the decoders.
Talking of his experience , the multi-faceted artist has been a darling to different genres. His appearance in maskandi acoustics was notable in Zinjaziyamluma's latest album and on the oncoming fresh album from Mehlokazulu which happens to be the later's debut Afro-jazz offering.
Again, If you have been wondering whose fingers were behind the now 'national anthem- SamaMoe,' a track by the troublesome Madlela and Thula Sana by Jeys Marabini, then you will be clearly answered today.
Although Moyo has played electrifying rhumba beats he refuses to be branded as a rhumba artists , rather he opts to stand as an unlimited edition fond of trading under maskandi and Afro-pop sounds.
"I Play both a lead and acoustic guitar with a fusion of South African maskandi and some elements of jazz," Moyo told Southern Times Express.
"In music industry I have worked with Jeys Marabini, the one who discovered my gift and nurtured it up until Mthabisi Moyo the guitarist was revealed. I have also worked with Mehlokazulu, Madlela (Samamo) the late Sfiso Ncwane, and the Austrian based Vusa Mkhaya, I can't count them all but I'm still looking forward to helping as many artists in Africa as possible," he said.
Apparently Moyo also dropped a sizzling 10 track gospel album on the 4th of November 2016 at Prevailing Word Ministries International led by Pastor Tich and Prinsisca Tanyanyiwa, whom Moyo says has opened many doors for his music career.
"I have released an album titled Ngiyabonga last year 2016 with 10 powerful praise and worship songs. I call my music Afro Gospel, it is generally gospel in African rhythms. The tracks include the following: Ngizocasha, Amagama abangcwele, Ngiyabonga, Uphakeme, Jesu siyakubonga, Ungithethelele, Akhona amandla, Sizohlabelela, Favor and Ngiyabonga," Moyo said.
"In my music project I featured Pastor Owen Wozhele (Botswana) and Kudakwashe Chikwanda, (keyboards) Travolta Chiķwanda (Bassist), Caleb Dube (Drummer)," Moyo continued.
When asked about his role model, Moyo had this to say: "My role model is Siphokazi, a South African artist whose music is so reach in African elements and has since taken our traditions to the world and that is also my dream. I want to take our African music ,which is being rated as music for the uneducated people, to the whole world and to also reach people in rural areas who still think gospel is for Americans because most of the churches today are influenced by Americans."
Those who have watched one of his music videos Sizohlabelela on DSTV channel 340 will attest that Moyo is a rare finding in modern day music industry.
"I have been in music industry for 6 years, playing with different artists across genres from both Zimbabwe and South Africa but people would always tell me that I sound African so I had to stick to that because that is what God gave me.
"So my vision is to spread the word of God through our African music and also teach our next generation to prioritise what is ours. I believe that it is not a mistake for us to be in Africa and God had a good purpose for us so there is no need for us to abandon our music as if God is not happy with it. God does not have any problem with our African music so I want to introduce this Afro Gospel to churches, to the world and show them that God has blessed us with our own genre," Moyo said.
The album is now available on the market for music lovers to treat themselves to a new gospel menu .
CDs are available in Zimbabwe and South Africa, going for $5-00 and R100-00 respectively. For more details the following contacts can be used:
+27730573036 , Facebook Page: Mthabisi Moyo or on Instagram (using the same name)
Email: mthaeguitar91@gmail.com
Speaking from his base in Johannesburg,in an interview with Southern Times Express, Moyo said: "I am actually about to launch my manual book for guitar lessons I specifically wrote for Africans so as to keep our music alive. My plan is to approach the government schools and start teaching kids about our own music and to make them understand how important it is to appreciate what God has given you and make use of it," Moyo said.
Powered by his experience and inspired by the lack of talented guitarists in Zimbabwean music industry as evidenced by his continuous hiring across genres, to play different guitar tunes, the 26 year old Moyo is determined to unlock the potential of upcoming artists.
The book project itself is a way of donating his thinking cap that ought to be translated into practical creative projects by the decoders.
Talking of his experience , the multi-faceted artist has been a darling to different genres. His appearance in maskandi acoustics was notable in Zinjaziyamluma's latest album and on the oncoming fresh album from Mehlokazulu which happens to be the later's debut Afro-jazz offering.
Again, If you have been wondering whose fingers were behind the now 'national anthem- SamaMoe,' a track by the troublesome Madlela and Thula Sana by Jeys Marabini, then you will be clearly answered today.
Although Moyo has played electrifying rhumba beats he refuses to be branded as a rhumba artists , rather he opts to stand as an unlimited edition fond of trading under maskandi and Afro-pop sounds.
"I Play both a lead and acoustic guitar with a fusion of South African maskandi and some elements of jazz," Moyo told Southern Times Express.
"In music industry I have worked with Jeys Marabini, the one who discovered my gift and nurtured it up until Mthabisi Moyo the guitarist was revealed. I have also worked with Mehlokazulu, Madlela (Samamo) the late Sfiso Ncwane, and the Austrian based Vusa Mkhaya, I can't count them all but I'm still looking forward to helping as many artists in Africa as possible," he said.
"I have released an album titled Ngiyabonga last year 2016 with 10 powerful praise and worship songs. I call my music Afro Gospel, it is generally gospel in African rhythms. The tracks include the following: Ngizocasha, Amagama abangcwele, Ngiyabonga, Uphakeme, Jesu siyakubonga, Ungithethelele, Akhona amandla, Sizohlabelela, Favor and Ngiyabonga," Moyo said.
"In my music project I featured Pastor Owen Wozhele (Botswana) and Kudakwashe Chikwanda, (keyboards) Travolta Chiķwanda (Bassist), Caleb Dube (Drummer)," Moyo continued.
When asked about his role model, Moyo had this to say: "My role model is Siphokazi, a South African artist whose music is so reach in African elements and has since taken our traditions to the world and that is also my dream. I want to take our African music ,which is being rated as music for the uneducated people, to the whole world and to also reach people in rural areas who still think gospel is for Americans because most of the churches today are influenced by Americans."
Those who have watched one of his music videos Sizohlabelela on DSTV channel 340 will attest that Moyo is a rare finding in modern day music industry.
"I have been in music industry for 6 years, playing with different artists across genres from both Zimbabwe and South Africa but people would always tell me that I sound African so I had to stick to that because that is what God gave me.
"So my vision is to spread the word of God through our African music and also teach our next generation to prioritise what is ours. I believe that it is not a mistake for us to be in Africa and God had a good purpose for us so there is no need for us to abandon our music as if God is not happy with it. God does not have any problem with our African music so I want to introduce this Afro Gospel to churches, to the world and show them that God has blessed us with our own genre," Moyo said.
The album is now available on the market for music lovers to treat themselves to a new gospel menu .
CDs are available in Zimbabwe and South Africa, going for $5-00 and R100-00 respectively. For more details the following contacts can be used:
+27730573036 , Facebook Page: Mthabisi Moyo or on Instagram (using the same name)
Email: mthaeguitar91@gmail.com
Source - Future Moyo aka Jamelah
