Award-winning musician Khaya Mthethwa is redefining gospel music in his latest project, The Dawn, and focusing his efforts on getting the youth to worship God.
Mthethwa ditched the studio for a live recording of the album.
“Recording in the studio is limiting. You can’t do much when you are in a studio but when it’s a live recording you can do a lot.
“The crowd is alive and we are just worshipping,” he said.
Mthethwa said the album had a different vibe compared to his previous gospel album, The Uprising.
The 2012 SA Idols winner released his debut album titled For You that same year. In 2014, he released The Uprising – a mix of new and oldschool gospel sounds.
His latest album also comprises new and old songs, but with an added twist.
“We reworked about 10 tracks from the previous album and also added 22 other songs. These are songs that I wrote and others are well-known traditional songs that we reworked,” he said.
“This album has a hip hop feel; while it’s very upbeat, there are deep worship songs as well. There’s everything,” he added.
Mthethwa said he wanted to make music that the youth could relate to – and get them to connect with God.
“Young people always struggle to find music that identifies with them. “There are a lot of traditional sounds that do not really speak to the youth. “This album is edgy, it’s vibey and punchy. It will get young people praising God,” he said.
Mthethwa said God communicated with everyone differently and as a songwriter-singer it was his responsibility to bring a different perspective to worship music.
“We are exposed to a lot of music from around the world and I think it’s time that we evolved. We cannot give God something of low standard. “We serve such a big God that we can’t do anything small.”
The album was released late last month and Mthethwa said the response from the public had been amazing.
Produced by Bheki Mthembu, the project also features the likes of celebrated gospel musicians Ntokozo Mbambo, Nqubeko Mbatha and Neville D. The live recording was done in December at the Durban Christian Centre Jesus Dome.
Mthethwa said he would be touring later in the year to promote his latest album.
The CD/DVD is currently available at music stores countrywide and digital stores such as iTunes and Google Play. —
Mthethwa celebrates new dawn
Mthethwa ditched the studio for a live recording of the album.
“Recording in the studio is limiting. You can’t do much when you are in a studio but when it’s a live recording you can do a lot.
“The crowd is alive and we are just worshipping,” he said.
Mthethwa said the album had a different vibe compared to his previous gospel album, The Uprising.
The 2012 SA Idols winner released his debut album titled For You that same year. In 2014, he released The Uprising – a mix of new and oldschool gospel sounds.
His latest album also comprises new and old songs, but with an added twist.
“We reworked about 10 tracks from the previous album and also added 22 other songs. These are songs that I wrote and others are well-known traditional songs that we reworked,” he said.
“This album has a hip hop feel; while it’s very upbeat, there are deep worship songs as well. There’s everything,” he added.
Mthethwa said he wanted to make music that the youth could relate to – and get them to connect with God.
“Young people always struggle to find music that identifies with them. “There are a lot of traditional sounds that do not really speak to the youth. “This album is edgy, it’s vibey and punchy. It will get young people praising God,” he said.
Mthethwa said God communicated with everyone differently and as a songwriter-singer it was his responsibility to bring a different perspective to worship music.
“We are exposed to a lot of music from around the world and I think it’s time that we evolved. We cannot give God something of low standard. “We serve such a big God that we can’t do anything small.”
The album was released late last month and Mthethwa said the response from the public had been amazing.
Produced by Bheki Mthembu, the project also features the likes of celebrated gospel musicians Ntokozo Mbambo, Nqubeko Mbatha and Neville D. The live recording was done in December at the Durban Christian Centre Jesus Dome.
Mthethwa said he would be touring later in the year to promote his latest album.
The CD/DVD is currently available at music stores countrywide and digital stores such as iTunes and Google Play. —
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