Beyond the awards: The inspiring story of gospel singer Xolly Mncwango's musical journey
She hopes her listeners will take away hope and inspiration from her music.
Xolly reveals a touching moment she shared with an audience member, reaffirming her purpose in music.
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Xolile Mncwango is witnessing the fruits of her labour in real time.
Affectionately known as Xolly Mncwango, she has just come off two major wins in her career, bagging the Best Gospel Album for her sophomore project Unusual and Best Female Artist wins.
Since the contemporary gospel singer's debut studio album dropped in 2020 after spending nearly a decade working with renowned gospel artists and choirs like Joyous Celebration and Benjamin Dube, Xolly's latest awards are a testament to her hard work and unwavering faith.
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Xolly is undoubtedly one of South Africa's essential voices in the local contemporary gospel scene, touching heartstrings with impactful praise songs like Ungukuphila and Healing Power.
Doing it for who she loves
Xolly's collection of awards now includes a South African Music Award (SAMA) for Best Contemporary Faith Music, a Crown Gospel Award for Best Female Artist of the Year and Best Streamed Song along with her two Metro FM awards.
While winning these awards are a formidable achievement on their own, Xolly's purpose with her artistry is all about lifting others through her faith and angelic vocals.
Xolly tells TRUELOVE what she hopes her listeners will take away and learn from her music.
'I hope that my supporters will take away a sense of hope, inspiration, and encouragement from my music. I pray that my songs will touch their hearts, uplift their spirits, and remind them of God's love and presence in their lives.'
She continues, 'I hope that my music will: Inspire faith and trust in God. Encourage perseverance through life's challenge. Provide comfort and solace in times of need. Remind them of their worth, value, and purpose. Ultimately, I hope that my music will be a reflection of God's love and a blessing to all who listen.'
Xolly's inspirations in music
'My musical inspirations are a diverse group of artists my mentor and my producer who have shaped my sound, style, and passion for music.
Siyanqoba Mthethwa: My brother who is also my producer for all my released albums.
Yolanda Adams: A legendary gospel artist, her timeless voice and classic songs have taught me the importance of crafting music that stands the test of time.
These people have inspired me to create music that is authentic, innovative, and impactful. Their influence has helped shape my unique sound and style.'
Xolly dedicates her deserved success to her son, whom she says is 'a precious motivation for my hard work and legacy. Inspiring him through my achievements will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on his life. Leaving a legacy that shows him the value of perseverance, dedication, and passion will be a priceless gift that will shape his own journey and aspirations.'
There's power in purpose
Intentionality is at the heart of Xolly's music.
Not only did she study music theory at Varsity College to better her understanding of her craft, Xolly's passionate vocals and the lyrics behind them have changed people's lives.
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Sharing a moment in her career that reaffirmed her calling to music, Xolly tells us about one moment that stood out to her when performing a worship concert and saw the impact her music had on the audience.
She says, 'As I sang, I noticed a woman in the front row who was visibly moved to tears. She was worshipping with abandon, and I could sense the weight of God's presence in the room.
'After the concert, she approached me and shared how my music had ministered to her during a difficult season in her life. She told me that my songs had brought her comfort, hope, and healing.'
In that moment, Xolly knew that she was on the right path and is fulfilling her purpose as a musician.
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