By Style Reporter
Hundreds of gospel music lovers on Friday thronged 7 Arts Theatre where preacher-cum musician Prophet Tapiwa Freddy launched his fourth album titled Kastep Kenyasha.
Musicians — secular and gospel — came in their numbers to support the preacher whom they said has changed the face of gospel music in the country.
Notable musicians who attended the launch of the 10-track album included gospel artistes Baba and Mai Charamba, Mechanic Manyeruke, Bethany Pasinawako-Ngolomi and her husband Lyton, Kudzi Nyakudya, Mathias Mhere, Dereck Mpofu, Tatenda Mahachi and Agatha Murudzwa-Ndembera, among others.
Vabati VaJehovah were also in attendance and like Nyakudya when given their slot, they gave a spirited performance.
Baba Harare was at the forefront of secular musicians who included his friend Peter Moyo, Desmond Chideme, aka Stunner, and Carlos Green. Comedians Mai Titi and Madam Boss were part of the proceedings and had their moments to thrill the audience with their rib-cracking jokes.
Guest of honour Baba Charamba said the coming together of artistes regardless of denomination or genre was inspiring and a milestone in the local music industry.
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“What Prophet Freddy has done is a milestone in the music industry, especially in the gospel music fraternity. He has managed to unite us as musicians, gospel and secular, we are here celebrating an achievement,” Baba Charamba said.
“Gospel music was looked upon in the past, but the media has been able to write about it and its something that we celebrate today.
“I know Prophet Freddy has a tight schedule, but he has been finding time to attend gospel music functions, particularly album launches, he has assisted artistes with money and he is sponsoring gospel music charts on Radio Zimbabwe and Diamond FM.”
Baba Charamba described Prophet Freddy as one of a rare breed of preachers who have supported gospel music in the country.
Prophet Freddy, popularly known for his “spiritual spectacles”, is not a stranger to the music industry having been involved in ministering through music since 2002.
However, on Friday he surprised all and sundry when he gave a scintillating performance much to the wonder of the audience, mostly members of his Goodness and Mercy Ministries who came in their numbers.
He introduced himself to the crowd with the track Mweya Mutsvene and the ecstatic fans loved every minute of it before a short break to allow the guest of honour to officially launch the album.
Lawyer Jivans Mudimu of Mudimu Law Chambers was the highest bidder and bought the CD for ZWL$30 000, while Nigerian — Pastor Chris Oparaocha — pledged a 2000m2 residential stand in Westgate.
However, the major highlight of the night was when Prophet Freddy celebrated the album launch by donating a brand new Mercedes Benz to radio presenter Liberty Mkhululi Luphahla.
“This is a gesture I am giving to my brother Liberty. He came to us, rendered his support to the church in both cash and kind, which is rarely done by some people of his nature,” Prophet Freddy said.
“To us, Liberty has shown that disability does not mean inability. This is a brand new car and I am giving him the keys and the registration book.” Luphahla is blind and is a presenter for Radio Zimbabwe and National Radio based in Bulawayo.
After the resumption of the show, Prophet Freddy performed a number of songs including fans’ favourite Munyama Wegonzo, which the cleric claimed to have composed in 2014.
He also played Chivi, a collaboration he did with Pasinawako-Ngolomi, and when he played Kastep Kenyasha, he was joined by Baba Harare, Mathias Mhere, Madam Boss, Mai Titi and Baba Charamba, who all feature on the video of the song.
The other tracks on the album include Nezuro Haasi Nhasi (featuring Mhere), Hupenyu (featuring Nyakudya), Mweya Mutsvene, Kuchata Kwakanaka and the bonus track Chikuru Kudzoka, which features Baba Harare and was released early this month.
The album is a potpourri of beats and the lyrics are laced with humour.
Last year, the preacher released a single titled Mwariwe. His other previous releases include Mesiya (2002), Serevende (2006) and 100 Percent Prophetic (2016). Early this year, Prophet Freddy released two videos of songs Vana and Tinopembera, a track off his 2016 album titled 100 Percent Prophetic.
The preacher will next month host a a Spiritual Spectacles All-Night Crusade in Mutare, which will be a mixutre of music, deliverance and prophecy.
