Eastern Cape gospel artists Bulelani Koyo and Nkujah Walter-Incense Mdangayi have been nominated for the 11th Crown Gospel Awards to be held at the Durban ICC on November 25.
Incense is a Christian rap artist, as well as a radio DJ at East London Christian radio station Link FM.
He was born in Soweto and grew up in Pakamisa township outside King William’s Town and says he has been an activist of SA’s “now-biggest hip-hop sub-genre, Christian hip-hop” since 2011.
That was the year he and his friends pioneered “Take the Movement” to promote the style, he said.
“The movement, which aimed to inspire youth through gospel hip-hop, reached more than 2,000 young people who were transformed by the gospel and it carried God-inspired lyrics by poets and rappers,” said Incense.
Incense, who has been nominated for the best gospel rap song, Process, said he started working on the song in 2014, after his mother died.
“I was inspired by my mother’s passing to start working on this song as a way to heal.
“What makes this song even more special is that it was produced by a very talented 14-year-old by the name of Hlokomani Kondlo.”
Koyo, who hosts a choral music show on UmhloboWenene every Sunday, has been nominated for best traditional gospel song, for his hit Zonke Izono.
Koyo said: “I was nominated in 2016 but I unfortunately did not win. I am honoured and happy for my second nomination. It is very motivating.”
Monwabisi Jeremiyah, from Link FM, has been nominated for best gospel community radio show. He hosts the Sounds of Resurrection on Link FM.
All categories will be adjudicated by a panel of judges. The public do not vote...