The hour has cometh for D’ Song

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THE hour has cometh for D’ Song, an upcoming Bulawayo-based gospel music group, to release their debut single, with the band already building a sizeable fan base on the local gospel music scene at a number of concerts in the region.

THE hour has cometh for D’ Song, an upcoming Bulawayo-based gospel music group, to release their debut single, with the band already building a sizeable fan base on the local gospel music scene at a number of concerts in the region.

gospel music sermon with The Master

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Since its formation in 2014, the outfit’s founder and director, Sehliselweyinkosi “Sehlie” Sibanda, said D’ Song has been reaching out to fans via live performances at concerts and other functions, listening to their wishes and that has helped them to connect with fans and build loyalty.

“We believe that by doing that, we will at least have a sizeable number of people who buy our music, instead of pirating it,” Sibanda said.

“We are working on recording a single before the end of this year. My group is based in Bulawayo, but I am in Harare. It has 12 vocalists and six band members.

“Our sound is contemporary gospel, with soft rock being the dominant genre.”

He said the vision of D’ Song is to be an international gospel music group which offers life-transforming and excellent music that carries a message focusing on influencing people to have a close relationship with God.

Sibanda, apart from singing, is an employee at one of the biggest financial institutions in Zimbabwe.

He is also a song writer and has written many songs that D’ Song sings and also plays the keyboard, mainly at church.

Sibanda is also actively involved in music administration, currently sitting in the Vocal Ex administration board and has assisted Deeper Worship Music, where he was the project manager for their debut live DVD recording in March 2017.

“I am also a preacher of the Word of God. My parents used to sing in the church choir. My father used to sing, write songs and also direct the church choir. It then got rubbed onto me naturally,” he said.

Sibanda started singing at a tender age of nine years at primary school and during his secondary school days he was part of an accappella group, which consisted of musicians like Innocent Lunga, who is now based in the United States on a music scholarship.

It is during this time when he also met Eric Moyo, who is currently at Joyous Celebration, and he later enrolled into the Teenagers Praise and Worship team at Brethren In Christ Church Lobengula, Bulawayo before relocating to Harare in 2015.

“This helped me to grow more in music and meet people who would later on assist me to being a better musician. During this time, that’s when I started interacting with Trust Ngwenya, an excellent upcoming gospel artist, who is part of the backing vocalists of Takesure Zamar, and the frontman for Deeper Worship Music,” he said.

“Trust inspired me a lot in music. He later taught me how to play the keyboard.”

Trust’s single, Thatha Konke, is currently playing on Star FM Gospel Greats.

Sibanda said his close interactions with his music pastor at that time, Pastor Glenn Ncube and Thobeka Msipa, really grounded him as a music minister, through their biblical teachings.

“Being a Christian, and understanding what music can do to a person, it became natural for me to sing gospel, as it is a vehicle which I use to preach the gospel,” he said.

Sibanda is married to Sibonginkosi Sibanda.

So how does he accomplish all this?

“Time management and focusing on my purpose and declining to be part of things which are not part of my vision has helped me. I have a management team, led by Maqhawenkosi Mhlanga, a great leader in his own right. I also delegate some duties to some members, especially during my absence, where Sichelesile Sibanda, Bongani Ndlovu and Lindokuhle Nzima have been very handy in directing music.

“There is no substitute for integrity and devotion to God, excellence, professionalism, being strategic, and originality.”

“D’ Song, has shared the stage with Ayanda Shange from Joyous Celebration, Takesure Zamar Ncube, Avis Dlamini and Vocal Ex this year in January at the Worship Festival Concert,” he said.

“It showed us that we have grown in the music to the extent that we can share the stage with the big names of the industry.

“The big testimony is that Christ changed my life. Had it not been for Him, there is a high likelihood that I could be dead by now, maybe due to HIV, drugs or other means which any sinner finds himself in.”

While admitting that gospel music was on the roll as evidenced by the successes of Takesure Zamar and Michael Mahendere, he believes the genre still needs more play time on local radio.

You may contact the columnist, Albert Masaka on Email: [email protected] Cell or WhatsApp 0776963414