Latest news with #gospelMusic
News24
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News24
5 minutes with contemporary gospel artist Musa Yende
Musa Yende has been adding her angelic voice to the gospel music scene since 2011, giving her backing vocals for famed artists like Benjamin Dube and Dr Tumi. Musa is now spreading her wings as a solo vocalist, launching her latest single uMelusi and debut EP Sustained by Grace, while staying true to her message of love, acceptance and faith through her spirituality. The 31-year-old songstress is currently gearing up for a one-of-a-kind live experience with famed artists like Ghanaian gospel singer Grace Charles and South African musicians Khaya Mthethwa and Brendan Praise, with many looking forward to tuning into their graceful hymns of worship. View this post on Instagram A post shared by musayende (@musayende_) Get to know more about Musa and the inspirations behind her music as we catch up with the songbird. Your new single uMelusi is both powerful and deeply emotional. What message were you hoping to convey through this song? 'The message I was trying to convey was really just a reminder that the one who has promised is faithful. A great shepherd who leads us with kindness and consistency until we get to where he wants us to be. A great shepherd who's goodness and mercy follows us all the days of our lives.' You've performed alongside gospel legends like Pastor Benjamin Dube and Dr. Tumi. How have those experiences shaped your journey as a solo artist? 'Conversations, prayers, rehearsals and even quiet moments back stage with them often fed my spirit. They carried memory than music - they carried wisdom. I learnt that your spiritual life must lead your stage life.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by musayende (@musayende_) You're known for blending traditional gospel with contemporary sounds. What inspires you to push the boundaries of the genre while staying rooted in faith? 'Honestly what really pushed me was the desire to create music that my grandmother would worship to, but that my younger sister could also connect with. But more than anything it was the Holy Spirit that gave me permission to.' The response to uMelusi has been overwhelming. How does it feel to see such anticipation building ahead of your live EP performance? 'The response has been so incredible and heartwarming. I'm so glad I said yes to doing it for God. The response has been proof that I'm in the right path and there's so many people I get to lead to Christ and that's totally worth it.' Having toured internationally and worked as a backing vocalist, what lessons or insights are you bringing into this new chapter of your career as a front-line artist? 'One of the biggest lessons I'm bringing it not this new season is that serving prepares you for leading! Also traveling and singing behind incredible artists taught me value of humility, discipline and spiritual sensitivity. You learn to listen - not just musically but spiritually. You learn that what happens off stage matters just as much as what happened off stage.'
News24
5 days ago
- Business
- News24
Genesis cast members let the media and fans into their set world
Supplied Genesis is produced by Singavision Productions, and it airs on Mzansi Magic (DStv channel 161). Cast members of the show include veteran actors such as Buyile Mdladla, Baby Cele, KB Motsilanyane and Sibongile Nojila. MultiChoice recently invited the media and some fans to the show's set. It is always interesting to see what goes on behind the scenes during the making of our favourite television shows. Recently, we visited the world of the Gigabas, and the Sedibengs on their Genesis set in Gauteng. The telenovela that took over from My Brother's Keeper from April is all about the world of gospel music. It follows Felicia Thabethe (played by Baby Cele) who built an empire, Genesis Records, with her late husband Muzi Thabethe. She later married Gabriel Gigaba (played by Buyile Mdladla) who joined the family business. The couple is faced with secrets and betrayals, including Gabriel's hidden child with the record label's superstar, Mmarona (played by Gaosi Raditholo). The truth only came out after the child's death while Felicia's son, Bonko (portrayed by Nay Maps Maphalala) was in preparation to marry Mmarona. Gabriel also has an affair with one of the record label's board members. Through all the betrayal, Felicia tries to keep the secrets to protect the family empire, while Gabriel tries to push her out of the business. Within all the mess, Wendy Sedibeng (Keabetswe Motsilanyane) tries by all means to ensure that her daughter, Mmarona, marries into the Gigaba family so that she would be her ticket out of poverty. The media and ten DStv Rewards winners had an early call time as we joined the cast and crew of the show. We were taken on a tour of the gigantic house that is used for the Gigabas, and just a few metres away from it was the house used for the Sedibengs. Speaking to City Press during the tour, former 7de Laan actress Motsilanyane said she had not thought she would be able to pull off the toxic mother character; she was grateful to the producers and other crew members for the support. She said that, when she saw the make-up, wigs and clothes Wendy would wear, she fell in love with her. @citypressza The Mzansi Magic and DStv Rewards teams invited us to witness the hard work that goes into the making of Genesis 😁 We caught all the behind the scenes action, and loved every minute of being on set with the cast and crew. Watch the full video on our YouTube channel: City Press #genesismzansi #mzansimagic #dstvrewards #genesismzansimagic ♬ EL NOPAL - Goliath Flores 'I feel like I've been lucky, because if they had allowed me to chicken out of it, I would have,' she said. The songstress said, deep into the character, she found her fun, but sometimes she would cry on her way home because of the character's stunts. The reception from viewers had been humbling, because Wendy was relatable. Wendy has two daughters, but she cannot stand the eldest because she was unemployed. The number one rule about any character you play is that you have to be an advocate for them. Even though, as a person, you don't share the same principles, once you get into character, you have to agree with this person 100%. I allow myself to just get into that space. It takes a lot of preparation and work. KB Motsilanyane It was interesting to see the results of the thoughts and hard work the wardrobe and make-up departments put into bringing each character to life. We were taken through mood boards for each character and how the colours of the clothes must represent the status and emotions the person is going through in a particular episode. Seeing one scene being done over and over again to get the perfect one made us understand why our actors are fighting tooth and bail for the Performers' Protection Amendment Bill as well as the Copyright Amendment Bill. They really have to get those royalities, because the dedication and passion are a beauty to witness. Maphalala said moving from Umkhokha: The Curse and having to strip down Mkhululi to make way for Bonko had not been too hard because he could relate to both the characters, and it was exciting for him. The only difference was the types of churches. Supplied Supplied One of the executive producers of the show, Sinini Nyathi-Mati, who worked with veteran producer Duma Ndlovu on almost all his shows, said now that she was wearing the boss hat, she understood why Duma would often say he had hardly slept. Nyathi-Mati has served other executive producers for 20 years in the industry. She said, although one could never be fully ready for the position, it was nice to experience it. She told City Press that she had learnt to pay her dues. 'We started developing Genesis a year ago because the development was intense. We had to go all out with the research and speak to gospel artists, fallen heroes of the gospel industry and successful people. That we are now here as executive producers is a humbling experience. We are improving the story every day, so we hope people will love the show,' she said. Kagiso Mogale, who met Nyathi-Mati on Stained Glass TV's eHostela, also wrote some of Ndlovu's shows, including Umkhokha: The Curse and My Brother's Keeper, is now the executive producer and head writer of Genesis. Some of the show's cast members include Kealeboga Masango, Sibongile Nojila, Josias Moleele, Kaabo-Ya-One Mokhine and Craig Nobela, to name but a few. Produced by Singavision Productions, Genesis airs on Monday to Friday on Mzansi Magic (DStv channel 161) at 7.30pm.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
How ‘American Idol' is celebrating Easter
Contestants on the current season of 'American Idol' went viral after a video showed them singing a worship song together backstage during one of the most stressful points of the competition. That moment, 'Idol' contestant Thunderstorm Artis recently told the Deseret News, was completely unscripted. 'It just felt like the spirit of the Lord was in the room,' he said. 'And I think that for me was in a time where I was kind of shaky and I wasn't sure if this was where I was supposed to be. But it was like, this is right where God wants me to be.' Faith has been in the spotlight a lot on the 23rd season of 'American Idol,' with a number of contestants expressing their love for Jesus Christ through song. Now, with the next 'Idol' episode falling on Easter Sunday, the show is embracing the moment by airing a three-hour special devoted to gospel music. 'American Idol' is airing a 'Songs of Faith' episode Sunday night, which will feature the show's top 20 contestants performing gospel and worship music. The episode will also include faith-centered performances from 'Idol' judges Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan; an appearance by 17-time Grammy winner CeCe Winans; and a performance of 'Hard Fought Hallelujah' from Jelly Roll and Brandon Lake. Lake's worship song, 'Gratitude,' was featured earlier in the season when contestants Breanna Nix and Rylie O'Neill performed a duet for a spot in the top 24. Underwood was visibly emotional following the performance. 'I know how difficult it is to come into the entertainment industry and bring your faith with you. It is a brave thing to do because there are a lot of outside forces that are going to tell you not to do that,' she said with emotion, as fellow 'Idol' judge Lionel Richie placed his hand on her back. 'I want to tell you that I'm proud of you guys.' Artis told the Deseret News he was somewhat surprised to find faith such a big part of 'Idol' this season. 'If I had a nickel for every time someone told me, 'Hey, if you take Jesus out of your music, you'd be way more famous, like, I'd be rich,'' he said. 'There's so many Christians, from the production team to the people at the top to the people at the bottom. And it's been amazing. I didn't know this, that 'American Idol' was a spirit-filled organization, so it's been a beautiful experience.' Simon Lythgoe, original producer and co-creator of 'American Idol,' shared his excitement for the show's Easter special. 'For ABC and Disney to take such a bold stand on this holy day and celebrate worship music is truly inspirational,' Lythgoe told CCM Magazine. 'When I first began working on 'American Idol' during the Fox years, there was an unspoken rule to steer clear of anything overtly religious or faith-based. The goal was to keep the show secular — broad and inclusive — to avoid alienating any viewers. 'I have no doubt this Easter special will be powerful,' he continued. 'I'm genuinely excited to see Jesus' resurrection day honored on one of the biggest entertainment platforms in the world.' The 'Songs of Faith' episode airs Sunday night at 7 p.m. MDT on ABC. There's been a number of moments celebrating faith on 'Idol' this season. Canaan James Hill, a 17-year-old aspiring preacher, auditioned for the show with the gospel song 'I Need Your Glory' and earned a coveted platinum ticket from the judges. Baylee Littrell, son of Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell, performed his original song 'Hey Jesus' during the Hollywood Week round — a song he said he wrote following the death of his grandmother, who was a support to him when his dad would go away on tour. 'I thought she was going to be around for moments like this. I never expected to lose her, so when I did I questioned everything, and I pushed away faith, thought I would not find it again,' Littrell said ahead of the performance. 'This song kind of helped me find it.' Victor Solomon, a former finalist on 'The Voice' who is in the 'American Idol' top 24, told the Deseret News his faith has kept him grounded throughout the competition. 'Sticking to His word has been the mantra of my time here, keeping him first in everything, and making sure that when I wake up in the morning, before I look at an email, before I look at my phone, make sure I thank him,' Solomon told the Deseret News. 'Make sure I glorify Him. Make sure I honor Him for waking me up this morning. 'To spread the love of Jesus Christ, and also to draw people closer to Him and just influence people to have wonderful moments, that's what it's all about,' he added.
News24
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Inside KB Motsilanyane's transformative role in the telenovela Genesis
Keabetswe 'KB' Motsilanyane is back to bring all the drama. The renowned actor, singer and dancer brings to life the feisty momager Wendy Sedibeng on Mzansi Magic's latest telenovela Genesis, a captivating story that shows that the high-stakes world of the gospel music industry isn't exempt from shocking betrayals and shady practices. KB acts alongside fellow industry veterans like Baby Cele and Buyile Mdladla with Wendy's role, showcasing a complex character constantly in survival mode while managing her gospel star daughter Mmarona (played by Gaosi Raditholo). A character in survival mode TRUELOVE sat down with the 7de Laan actor as she describes Wendy's character. 'Wendy, I think is somebody who's broken and they heal in that brokenness. You know if you get an injury, and then instead of healing the injury, you just stay with the injury, but it heals like that. So, I think emotionally she is just numb and she's that mom who wants to do the best for her daughters. 'She wants a good life - of course she wants a good life. She feels like she's had it too hard and it's about time that it pays off. So, she's that mom who's pushing her daughters, trying to live vicariously through them and who feels that the world owes her something.' Off the cuff What's your colour for the season? Burgundy. Sneakers or heels? Heels. What's your favourite activity to do with the family? Quality time. I like making wraps, but I leave all the ingredients all over the counter so everybody's forced to come and stand there and make their own, their own wrap. What shows are you watching right now? You know Untold? It's just like background stories on big stars who went through certain experiences. So, trying to just understand the journeys that everybody else goes through, things that we don't hear a lot about. When acting and music collide As not only a renowned actor ever since shooting to stardom with her role as KayBee on Backstage, KB's journey in music has seen her light South Africa up with memorable hits like Rock Lefatshe and O a Lla for the past 20 years. She now gets to marry her musical and acting gifts together for her role in Genesis. On getting this opportunity, KB tells us that 'I'll honestly say it's a privilege. I've been in this industry for quite a while. Um, I was telling someone just now that El Musica is now 20 years old. So, I'm very cognizant of the fact that a lot of people I started with may not be here, they may not be doing what I'm doing so genuinely, gratitude.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by KB Motsilanyane (@mamosadikb) KB admits that this is her first opportunity to dive into such a complex and defensive character like Wendy, 'I'm so excited about Genesis, I'm excited about Wendy. I have never played a role like this ever. So just to watch is such an out of body experience because I watch and I'm thinking, 'who is this!' So, absolutely, and also just seeing how everybody else's character falls into place in terms of the story,' she says.
