Zimbabwe Women in the gospel music industry

In Zimbabwe there has always been a very strong misconception about women in the music industry.Most of the women are often perceived as either people who are lacking in moral values, loose women , promiscuous persons, sex objects or undisciplined people who have rebelled against society. One can say the patriarchal society is still dominating in Zimbabwe and some men do not want to accept gender equality though women know their rights.There are not very many women in show business in Zimbabwe because they fear being ill-treated by men in the music entertainment industry.

Most of the women need to be determined to break all the old ideas that men are superior than them.When they do this they are bound to be noticed as few women attempt to do it that  is why all the women who have had the guts to take up the microphone in Zimbabwe are noticed straight away.One of the gospel artist that has stood up in the gospel music industry is Fungisai Zvakavapano.Most of the people like her music as it teaches them about God and also some of the women are also inspired.

Fungisai Zvakavapano (pic) jivezimbabwe.com

One can note that there is  little representation of women in show business though music products are bought by both male and female fans. The majority of women who sing are used as backing singers by male artists. Only the brave ones front the stage.A number of songs are connected with the relationship between men and women and unfortunately because the majority of song writers happen to be male, women are usually placed in a derisory role.

Attitudes from society for male musicians are usually very negative as very few people regard being employed as a musician as work. They are worse when the musician happens to be a woman. A woman who sings in a band in Zimbabwe is usually perceived by our society as a ‘loose’ or ‘easy’ woman which is not true. The female gospel musicians are pressured by members of the society not to wear clothes which are deemed to be indecent just because they are gospel singers.

Fungisai (pic) facebook.com

A lot of women are found in the gospel arena because it is a safe platform from which to land oneself onto the music scene. Because people fear God, it is difficult for male chauvinists to stop their daughters from singing about God, just like they find it difficult to stop their wives from going to church. Names such as Ivy Kombo, Fungisai Zvakavapano, Mercy Mutsvene, Joice Simeti, Olivia Charamba and Shingisai Suluma are found in Zimbabwe gospel circles while few who have braved it outside the gospel arena include Hope Masike, Betty Makaya, Dudu Manhenga, Stella Chiweshe, Sandra Ndebele, Patience Musa, Selmor Mtukudzi.

Gospel hip-hop on the rise in Zimbabwe

The wave of hip-hop gospel music seems to be on the increase in Zimbabwe as more and more young artistes continue joining the gospel  industry in order to show people their lyrical prowess for the gospel. Many youths seem to like hip-hop gospel music than the slow type of gospel music they deem to be boring  and for this matter they say hip-hop gospel music is more appealing to them.One of the artistes that has been awash in the media  is a young talented Zimbabwean rapper who goes by the stage name T-Nash but his real name is Tinashe Wutete and is a member of the United Family International church(UFI).

Most young music consumers nowadays who are Christians enjoy hip-hop gospel because many of them grew up accustomed to secular rapmusic and for that matter they like listening to it more than any other type of gospel music.Presenting hip-hop music in a a Christian way has drawn a large number listener-ship for the new genre which is spiced for their taste.

Tinashe Wutete (pic) herald.co.zw

Hip-hop is however not a favorite with adult listeners many of whom either do not appreciate the language of hip-hop or have never taken the time to listen to the music.

In one of his amateur videos taken while he performed in front of a youthful crowd at a church function, it was noticeable that the artiste is well gifted on stage something that most of his fans at the event appeared to greatly enjoy. 

He also appeared very energetic, stylish and composed and these are some of the ingredients or characteristics that go in to make one a successful rap artist.This young gospel artist has been seen as being talented and very active that is why most of the young Christians like his music.This is a talent from God.

"God gave me talent with full potential to preach the word through hip-hop gospel music. So far I have performed at the Family Gospel Show at the City Sports Centre and UFIC Youth Concert",said Tinashe.

Some of the songs on his CD album include tracks such as "Our God", "Hatibatike", "Kuchurch Kunonakidza", "Tinopa Mbiri", "Tinokurumbidzai", "Amen" and "Handidzokere Shure". Hip-hop gospel music is on the rise in Zimbabwe and the entertainment industry is growing day by day.

Gospel artist exposed

Many people believe that if you are a gospel singer you supposed to live a holy life and not be involved in funny matters or immoral acts.People tend to forget that not everyone is perfect and as human beings we all make mistakes.Gospel singers are people like us and they make mistakes too.Singing a gospel song does not mean that you are God or you more holier than others but what matters most is the message that is delivered in the songs.Some of the gospel artists are being exposed by the media for their different issues they are involved in.On of the artist that has  awash the media the past days is Mathias Mhere and most people were questioning on his holiness.According to the Daily news newspaper, It has emerged that the much-hyped messy confrontation between singer Mathias Mhere and his wife Susan Dzinamarira was a mere “stagemanaged” antic designed to market his latest album Glory To Glory, this publication has learnt.

Mathias Mhere (pic) nehandaradio.com

Mhere admitted that everything was stagemanaged.That is why he was quick to forgive the wife.It is believed that Mhere devised a plan to market his album some time last year and roped in the services of his close friend Mahlupheka. The musician admitted that Gift knew that he was not chatting to Susan, but Mhere,” said the police officer.Since the issue was first published, Mhere has been clandestinely meeting several arts journalists to do public relations for him.

Most of the comments from the people was that what he did was so shameful and a disgrace to most of those who listen to his music.Mhere justified himself saying he wanted to potray himself as a loving husband who was to quick to forgive as enshrined in christian values.He also described  incidents as regrettable, painful, shameful and damaging to the brand Mhere, the gospel fraternity, Christian society and those who believe in him.

According to Daily news newspaper,everything was stagemanaged to make Mhere the super-hero while projecting Mahlupeka as the villain.

One can note that all people make mistakes and if one admits that he is wrong its good as long as they also apologise to the audience.

New young gospel artist on the rise....

A new gospel artist named Brian Panavanhu has released a potentially explosive six-track album titled "Tumirai Moto".The album carries songs such as "Tumirai moto","Hakuna Rimwe zita" and "Nguva yekunamata".In an interview held by the  Herald the young man said he is confident that the album will introduce him to the Zimbabwean entertainment industry and at the same time change people 's lives through music.According to the Herald newspaper, the young man is gradually gaining traction and has begun to see increased bookings to perform at private functions,churches and at weddings.

Brian Panavanhu (pic) soundcloud.com

Brian said people must expect" fireworks" as he is a rising star among youths..He  demonstarated his versatility by adding a bonus song to his track entitled"Bereka mwana tiyende" which is not a gospel song.Only few youths nowadays are sticking to gospel music and are trying by all means to make the entertainment industry recognise them and be able to get get market sells to promote gospel music.

Most gospel artists are not well known most probably because the entertainment industry in Zimbabwe does not promote gospel music.Brian indicated that his practically unknown though he has performed on stage with Benjamin Dube a South African gospel artist. His hopes are that he will be known soon since he has learnt a lot about gospel music from other South African gospel artists.Gospel music in Zimbabwe is to some extent rising bit by bit.

Why youths dont like gospel music

Most youths nowadays don’t find gospel music appealing to them because musicians and the audience mistake it for a worthy message for talent and they get angry when they are criticized.Youths think gospel music is outdated and when they listen to it their friends will think that they are boring and have a rural background.They have been brainwashed by western music and all they think of is R ‘n’B,hip-hop music.They worship style which they call ‘SWAG’ more than anything else and to be seen as a swaglicious person you don’t have to listen to gospel music.Most of them say gospel music is very boring because it is slow and Christians think it is holy ,it makes one feel guilty and they are criticized but l beg to differ because the gospel genre has changed today.There is gospel hip-hop today and some of the youths favour it but Christian youths don’t like it because they think its not holy.

The Charambas and the fishers of men (pic) zimeye.com

The reason why gospel music is not liked by youths is that market forces don’t promote it.They think gospel music has no benefits as many youths will not listen to it.The Charambas and the fishers on men perfomed at UK recently.These are some of the well known gospel artists in Zimbabwe.Their music is interesting and has a lot of good messages in it.Mai Olivia Charamba stated that their album is full of insight human stories with a meaning

Most of the youths nowadays prefer  not  to listen to gospel music because they think its boring and outdated.