Mthatha's rising gospel star Yongama Mrwetyana, who has three albums under his belt and has performed with the “creme de la crème” in the country’s gospel industry, has recently shot a live DVD containing some of his popular hits.
It was shot in Mthatha two weeks ago.
The 19-year-old Bhaziya-born artist told the Saturday Dispatch that the DVD did not contain any new material – just some of the most-loved songs from his previous offerings.
“It is basically what is already out there. The only difference is that it is recorded in front of a live audience. Obviously there is a new energy to the way I deliver those songs in this DVD,” he said.
Despite being relatively unknown outside the Eastern Cape and not being signed to any music label, the soft-spoken and highly religious Mrwetyana has managed to find a niche in his province of birth.
His first album Ebenezer, independently released in 2011, managed to sell well over 15000 copies. His second offering, Undithandile, released early last year, did moderately well after selling just over 7000 units. The album features Mpumalanga-born Mxolisi Mbethe, who has written for some of the country’s heavyweights including Hlengiwe Mhlaba, Dumi Mkokstad, Malibongwe Gcwabe and Veliswa Skeyi.
“I changed producers and my style, which I think contributed to the album selling poorly compared to the first one,” he said.
Earlier this year the youngster released his third album, Kuzohlatyelelwa, in which he featured another Mthatha gospel star, Bulela M.
So far it has sold more than 15000 units.
Interestingly, Mrwetyana could not even afford to pay for studio time to record an album five years ago.
He only received his lucky break after meeting fellow gospel artist and producer Asanda Maqungwana, who owned a studio.
“It had been my dream to become a gospel artist but it hadn’t worked out for me until then. I could only afford R500 and we were recording through the night. For me I was just happy to be inside a studio.”
While the muso has found little coverage by way of mainstream print media, his music has been featured prominently on many community radio stations in the province including Mdantsane FM, Vukani FM in Cala, Nkonjane FM in Flagstaff, Khanya in Butterworth, UCR FM in Mthatha and Alfred Nzo in Mount Ayliff.
He has also performed with some of the country’s finest gospel stars from Sipho “Big Fish” Makhabane to Lusanda Mcinga, Gcwabe, Mhlaba and Dumi Mkokstad.
The popular Mcinga would even take the youngster along with her wherever she was invited to perform.
Despite having been in a studio countless times, Mrwetyana feels doing a live DVD recording had been the most daunting moment of his career.
“There is no room for error. You can’t do another re-take if you don’t like something in a song, everything has to be spot on.”
After the DVD containing 17 songs, he wants to release more albums including a greatest hits compilation.
But he also has an eye on a collaboration with another Eastern Cape muso, popular songstress Berita of Thandolwethu fame.
“With a voice like hers and my deep baritone, we’d create magic,” Mrwetyana said. — sikhon@dispatch.co.za
Rising gospel star releases DVD
It was shot in Mthatha two weeks ago.
The 19-year-old Bhaziya-born artist told the Saturday Dispatch that the DVD did not contain any new material – just some of the most-loved songs from his previous offerings.
“It is basically what is already out there. The only difference is that it is recorded in front of a live audience. Obviously there is a new energy to the way I deliver those songs in this DVD,” he said.
Despite being relatively unknown outside the Eastern Cape and not being signed to any music label, the soft-spoken and highly religious Mrwetyana has managed to find a niche in his province of birth.
His first album Ebenezer, independently released in 2011, managed to sell well over 15000 copies. His second offering, Undithandile, released early last year, did moderately well after selling just over 7000 units. The album features Mpumalanga-born Mxolisi Mbethe, who has written for some of the country’s heavyweights including Hlengiwe Mhlaba, Dumi Mkokstad, Malibongwe Gcwabe and Veliswa Skeyi.
“I changed producers and my style, which I think contributed to the album selling poorly compared to the first one,” he said.
Earlier this year the youngster released his third album, Kuzohlatyelelwa, in which he featured another Mthatha gospel star, Bulela M.
So far it has sold more than 15000 units.
Interestingly, Mrwetyana could not even afford to pay for studio time to record an album five years ago.
He only received his lucky break after meeting fellow gospel artist and producer Asanda Maqungwana, who owned a studio.
“It had been my dream to become a gospel artist but it hadn’t worked out for me until then. I could only afford R500 and we were recording through the night. For me I was just happy to be inside a studio.”
While the muso has found little coverage by way of mainstream print media, his music has been featured prominently on many community radio stations in the province including Mdantsane FM, Vukani FM in Cala, Nkonjane FM in Flagstaff, Khanya in Butterworth, UCR FM in Mthatha and Alfred Nzo in Mount Ayliff.
He has also performed with some of the country’s finest gospel stars from Sipho “Big Fish” Makhabane to Lusanda Mcinga, Gcwabe, Mhlaba and Dumi Mkokstad.
The popular Mcinga would even take the youngster along with her wherever she was invited to perform.
Despite having been in a studio countless times, Mrwetyana feels doing a live DVD recording had been the most daunting moment of his career.
“There is no room for error. You can’t do another re-take if you don’t like something in a song, everything has to be spot on.”
After the DVD containing 17 songs, he wants to release more albums including a greatest hits compilation.
But he also has an eye on a collaboration with another Eastern Cape muso, popular songstress Berita of Thandolwethu fame.
“With a voice like hers and my deep baritone, we’d create magic,” Mrwetyana said. — sikhon@dispatch.co.za
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