A need for change in the rural village of Ndevana in King William’s Town saw friends Khayalethu Ngalonkulu and Spheni Bakubaku start their own gospel group – Spreaders of Gospel (SSPEL).
Co-founder Ngalonkulu spoke to the Daily Dispatch saying that through the band’s music, they were hoping to inspire the youth with their jazzy, soulful, hip gospel sounds.
When did you form the group and what was the motivation behind that?
A: We started the group in March 2013, as a group of friends. We all love music and God and we wanted to do something that would inspire the young people in our village. We wanted to show them that they could live for God – and still be normal young people. We also hope this could inspire other young people in the village as well. We are young people with a heart for God and spreading His word is the best way we know how.
You currently have an extended play (EP) out, how has the public received it so far?
A: It has been well received by the public and it has opened so many doors for us already. It is play-listed on all radio stations locally and our two music videos Coming Back and Ndumiso are being played on One Gospel.
Who are some of the artists whom you have shared a stage with since your debut in the music industry?
A:We have performed at a number of music events, on small and big stages.
We once shared a stage with the likes of Khaya Mthethwa, Sfiso Ncwane, Dumi Mkokstad, Bethusile, Noluvo Duna and Unathi Mzekeli to name few. In October, we were fortunate to be on the lineup of the Take Me To Church music festival, which featured the well-known award-winning group Joyous Celebration.
Any award nominations so far?
A:Yes, we were nominated for the best gospel group and best pop/soul gospel album at this year’s Independent Gospel Music Awards.
Even though we did not win, we are still honoured by the recognition we got.
You say your music is not traditional gospel – who are some of the artists that inspire your sound?
A:We are influenced by musicians such as Deitrick Haddon, Donnie McClurkin and Stevie Wonder, to mention a few. We also listen to a lot of jazz, hip hop and R&B. Those genres influence our sound. We want to make music that is of an international standard because we see our music going that far, even while inspiring the youth back home.
Your group is all-male – was that intentional or are you planning on adding some women’s voices?
A:When this all started it was just me and my friend Spheni. When we decided to expand, he brought his friends and I got mine to join as well. It so happened that we were all guys, it was not an intentional thing, it just happened. We have had people ask to join the group but we are not looking for any members. We always encourage people to start their own thing. We have seven vocalists and a three-piece band and we are all friends, which makes things easy for us. We are always jamming together and we don’t have to schedule meetings because we spend most of our time together.
Since forming the group what are some of the challenges you’ve encountered?
A:Not everyone believed in what we were starting, even parents would ask us why don’t we get jobs and not focus on music, but we knew why we started this group. We’ve lost two members already because of such things. We have 10 members now and we are happy.
What inspires your lyrics?
A: We are inspired by what happens in our lives. Most of the songs are our testimonies and we share how God has been so good to us even when we were not.
How does the group relax?
A:As I have already mentioned, we are all friends and we spend most of our time together. We like playing pool and just relaxing while chatting about everything. Sometimes we would be sitting around and bouncing off ideas and we get inspiration for a song.
Anything else you would like to tell us about?
A:We are currently working on our debut album, which we hope to release next year. The EP was our way of introducing ourselves to the public and now that people know about us, it’s time that we give them a full album.
Uplifting the spirits of rural youth
Co-founder Ngalonkulu spoke to the Daily Dispatch saying that through the band’s music, they were hoping to inspire the youth with their jazzy, soulful, hip gospel sounds.
When did you form the group and what was the motivation behind that?
A: We started the group in March 2013, as a group of friends. We all love music and God and we wanted to do something that would inspire the young people in our village. We wanted to show them that they could live for God – and still be normal young people. We also hope this could inspire other young people in the village as well. We are young people with a heart for God and spreading His word is the best way we know how.
You currently have an extended play (EP) out, how has the public received it so far?
A: It has been well received by the public and it has opened so many doors for us already. It is play-listed on all radio stations locally and our two music videos Coming Back and Ndumiso are being played on One Gospel.
Who are some of the artists whom you have shared a stage with since your debut in the music industry?
A:We have performed at a number of music events, on small and big stages.
We once shared a stage with the likes of Khaya Mthethwa, Sfiso Ncwane, Dumi Mkokstad, Bethusile, Noluvo Duna and Unathi Mzekeli to name few. In October, we were fortunate to be on the lineup of the Take Me To Church music festival, which featured the well-known award-winning group Joyous Celebration.
Any award nominations so far?
A:Yes, we were nominated for the best gospel group and best pop/soul gospel album at this year’s Independent Gospel Music Awards.
Even though we did not win, we are still honoured by the recognition we got.
You say your music is not traditional gospel – who are some of the artists that inspire your sound?
A:We are influenced by musicians such as Deitrick Haddon, Donnie McClurkin and Stevie Wonder, to mention a few. We also listen to a lot of jazz, hip hop and R&B. Those genres influence our sound. We want to make music that is of an international standard because we see our music going that far, even while inspiring the youth back home.
Your group is all-male – was that intentional or are you planning on adding some women’s voices?
A:When this all started it was just me and my friend Spheni. When we decided to expand, he brought his friends and I got mine to join as well. It so happened that we were all guys, it was not an intentional thing, it just happened. We have had people ask to join the group but we are not looking for any members. We always encourage people to start their own thing. We have seven vocalists and a three-piece band and we are all friends, which makes things easy for us. We are always jamming together and we don’t have to schedule meetings because we spend most of our time together.
Since forming the group what are some of the challenges you’ve encountered?
A:Not everyone believed in what we were starting, even parents would ask us why don’t we get jobs and not focus on music, but we knew why we started this group. We’ve lost two members already because of such things. We have 10 members now and we are happy.
What inspires your lyrics?
A: We are inspired by what happens in our lives. Most of the songs are our testimonies and we share how God has been so good to us even when we were not.
How does the group relax?
A:As I have already mentioned, we are all friends and we spend most of our time together. We like playing pool and just relaxing while chatting about everything. Sometimes we would be sitting around and bouncing off ideas and we get inspiration for a song.
Anything else you would like to tell us about?
A:We are currently working on our debut album, which we hope to release next year. The EP was our way of introducing ourselves to the public and now that people know about us, it’s time that we give them a full album.
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