Entertainment / Music
Bulawayo-born gospel singer sets Jozi alight
04 Jun 2017 at 20:05hrs | Views
THE harvest is plenty for Bulawayo-born gospel singer and music producer, Knowledge Nkiwane, whose music has made inroads in the South African markets, empowered by a peculiar aggressive marketing skill which fans have been charmed with.
gospel music sermon with The Master
Fans have been unable to resist the enterprising artist's music while selling his CDs on the streets of Johannesburg, which are complemented by his impromptu live performances - and what more - the artist admits he cherishes such moments.
The sky is the limit for Nkiwane, who now owns a recording company, Knowlesmusicpro, as he seeks to plough back to the community that nurtured him by promoting local gospel music.
"Knowledge Nkiwane is a song writer, composer and producer of all the songs I sing. I do music fulltime for a living and I market myself," he said.
"My best moments are when I am in the studio or on the streets promoting and building my brand name and God has been there for me. On my own strength I was not going to make it this far."
After hearing that Nkiwane sold over 20 000 copies of his solo album titled Lento kaJehova, which means God's property, mostly in South Africa, I was left positive that such beautiful music could make a similar headway in Zimbabwe.
"We listen and sing to equally-good gospel music from other countries including South Africa and Nigeria, not to mention from other continents, which is not bad at all, I must stress, lest I be misunderstood, because the word of God knows no boundaries," he said.
"But more needs to be done by our stakeholders in the local music industry to package and market our music in such a way that affords every Zimbabwean a chance to also listen to our own gospel music."
Nkiwane received the best male artist gong at the Guateng Gospel Music awards in December last year through his second album, Ingumlilo Lento.
He recently launched his sixth album titled Uvukile uLazaro in Johannesburg which has been well-received. The album is available both on CD and DVD.
Like Ingumlilo Lento, the latest album was recorded at his company Knowlesmusicpro, and mainly deals with day-to-day challenges. It urges Christians not to give up the fight against evil.
"There is life and hope in this album. It can be played anywhere," he said.
Nkiwane is a devoted 36-year-old born-again Christian, who serves as Deacon at Brethren in Christ Church in South Africa.
He said he is travelling between Zimbabwe and across the Limpopo while managing his music business.
"Since I started singing at primary school, I have not looked back and this strongly contributed to the release of this album. With the experience I got from our group, Gospel Impact, I believe I am destined for greater heights," he said.
Singing gospel music to him is part of reaching people and preaching about Christ.
After releasing six albums and three DVDs, he is aiming higher and has set up a music producing company, Knowles Music Pro.
He did three albums - Sibongu 'Manuel, Khayelihle and Wethembekile Solo - with the help of the group, Gospel Impact, including one DVD while albums, UJesu Uyazi, Lento kaJehova and Uvukile uLazaroo and two more DVDs were solo efforts. All his solo albums have 14 songs each.
"My message is simple and I am a preacher. My music talks to people in different ways - preaching, teaching and helping them to connect to their Creator," he said.
"Listen to Adonai, for instance. It talks about how God works in our lives. It gives hope to the hopeless with songs like Ngingowakho Baba.
"I have learned to be patient and not to give up and introduce your brand to people and don't keep your music to yourself. Come out of your comfort zone."
He urged his fans not to buy counterfeit CDs when they can get original ones from him.
Nkiwane has shared the stage with the big fish in his chosen genre, including Rebecca Malope, Hlengiwe Mhlaba and Mkhululi Bhebhe, among others.
"When you never thought of yourself as big, there comes one of the legends and they tell you how much they enjoyed your performances," he said.
"It has been a successful life and I have registered my company in South Africa. From now on, I will be a producer of many artists, especially from Bulawayo. Innocent Nyoni is my first artist and we are busy on his album. I am willing to work with any artist as long as it has anything to do with arts but gospel is at my heart."
Nyoni's album was set to be released on Thursday last week in Bulawayo.
Married to Nesisa, who he takes time to support in her cake-baking business, their 11-year marriage has been blessed with two children; a girl, Nkosinomusa, who at 10 years of age is a song writer and a seven-year-old boy, Blessed, who is also musician and dancer.
Nkiwane gives thanks to fans for the support they give him each time he is on the streets and without them, he will not have reached such heights.
You may contact the columnist, Albert Masaka on Email: albertmasaka7@gmail.com Cell or WhatsApp 0776963414
gospel music sermon with The Master
Fans have been unable to resist the enterprising artist's music while selling his CDs on the streets of Johannesburg, which are complemented by his impromptu live performances - and what more - the artist admits he cherishes such moments.
The sky is the limit for Nkiwane, who now owns a recording company, Knowlesmusicpro, as he seeks to plough back to the community that nurtured him by promoting local gospel music.
"Knowledge Nkiwane is a song writer, composer and producer of all the songs I sing. I do music fulltime for a living and I market myself," he said.
"My best moments are when I am in the studio or on the streets promoting and building my brand name and God has been there for me. On my own strength I was not going to make it this far."
After hearing that Nkiwane sold over 20 000 copies of his solo album titled Lento kaJehova, which means God's property, mostly in South Africa, I was left positive that such beautiful music could make a similar headway in Zimbabwe.
"We listen and sing to equally-good gospel music from other countries including South Africa and Nigeria, not to mention from other continents, which is not bad at all, I must stress, lest I be misunderstood, because the word of God knows no boundaries," he said.
"But more needs to be done by our stakeholders in the local music industry to package and market our music in such a way that affords every Zimbabwean a chance to also listen to our own gospel music."
Nkiwane received the best male artist gong at the Guateng Gospel Music awards in December last year through his second album, Ingumlilo Lento.
He recently launched his sixth album titled Uvukile uLazaro in Johannesburg which has been well-received. The album is available both on CD and DVD.
Like Ingumlilo Lento, the latest album was recorded at his company Knowlesmusicpro, and mainly deals with day-to-day challenges. It urges Christians not to give up the fight against evil.
"There is life and hope in this album. It can be played anywhere," he said.
Nkiwane is a devoted 36-year-old born-again Christian, who serves as Deacon at Brethren in Christ Church in South Africa.
He said he is travelling between Zimbabwe and across the Limpopo while managing his music business.
"Since I started singing at primary school, I have not looked back and this strongly contributed to the release of this album. With the experience I got from our group, Gospel Impact, I believe I am destined for greater heights," he said.
Singing gospel music to him is part of reaching people and preaching about Christ.
After releasing six albums and three DVDs, he is aiming higher and has set up a music producing company, Knowles Music Pro.
He did three albums - Sibongu 'Manuel, Khayelihle and Wethembekile Solo - with the help of the group, Gospel Impact, including one DVD while albums, UJesu Uyazi, Lento kaJehova and Uvukile uLazaroo and two more DVDs were solo efforts. All his solo albums have 14 songs each.
"My message is simple and I am a preacher. My music talks to people in different ways - preaching, teaching and helping them to connect to their Creator," he said.
"Listen to Adonai, for instance. It talks about how God works in our lives. It gives hope to the hopeless with songs like Ngingowakho Baba.
"I have learned to be patient and not to give up and introduce your brand to people and don't keep your music to yourself. Come out of your comfort zone."
He urged his fans not to buy counterfeit CDs when they can get original ones from him.
Nkiwane has shared the stage with the big fish in his chosen genre, including Rebecca Malope, Hlengiwe Mhlaba and Mkhululi Bhebhe, among others.
"When you never thought of yourself as big, there comes one of the legends and they tell you how much they enjoyed your performances," he said.
"It has been a successful life and I have registered my company in South Africa. From now on, I will be a producer of many artists, especially from Bulawayo. Innocent Nyoni is my first artist and we are busy on his album. I am willing to work with any artist as long as it has anything to do with arts but gospel is at my heart."
Nyoni's album was set to be released on Thursday last week in Bulawayo.
Married to Nesisa, who he takes time to support in her cake-baking business, their 11-year marriage has been blessed with two children; a girl, Nkosinomusa, who at 10 years of age is a song writer and a seven-year-old boy, Blessed, who is also musician and dancer.
Nkiwane gives thanks to fans for the support they give him each time he is on the streets and without them, he will not have reached such heights.
You may contact the columnist, Albert Masaka on Email: albertmasaka7@gmail.com Cell or WhatsApp 0776963414
Source - the standard
