Online Reporter
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
AFTER an eight-year wait, gospel musician Vuyo Brown has returned with her second full-length album, ‘Imprint’, a project that blends multiple genres while delivering a message of identity rooted in faith.
The album is divided into three colour-coded sections pink, orange and yellow, a concept Brown said was inspired by her desire to make her diverse sound easier for listeners to follow.
In an interview with Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub, Brown said although the album blends genres such as gospel, jazz, country, R&B, soul, Afro-pop, the message of faith remains the same while the musical style changes.
“So I’m a multi-genre musician, I don’t like to be limited to one sound so this time I was intentional about making it easier for the listener. So the colours group similar sounds together.
“All the songs are married to each other but guided. It starts off meditative in praise and worship music,it goes onto warm alternative music then ends in a vibe with some songs in the yellow section.
At the heart of Imprint is the biblical message found in Isaiah 43:1, with Brown using the album to encourage listeners particularly young people to find their identity in God rather than in societal pressures.
“There are so many different voices speaking in this generation and they are loud, from trends, to depression, to drugs. I’m saying ‘in all that, who does God say you are and what do you think about it?’
“You don’t have to go through life searching for yourself, you can know now and live intentionally.”
She said while the sound evolves, her message remains constant.
“My sound is hard to classify, so Contemporary Christian Music as a term makes sense. My message never changes; the expression is what changes, thus the different sounds per season.”
The project also features collaborations with JustPercy, Vusa Mkhaya and Swazy, each bringing a distinctive element to the album.
Brown said Vusa Mkhaya’s authentic African sound made him the perfect fit for the song Abel, while rapper Swazy added the energy she envisioned for Hey.
Long-time collaborator JustPercy, who also produced most of the album, remains Brown’s most featured artist.
Reflecting on the album’s potential reach, Brown hopes Imprint will build on the regional audience she has already established through previous releases.
“I am actually yet to have an actual gospel award. Past songs like Thula Wazi, No Way and Vuyani already got me radio and TV airplay in countries like Eswatini, Botswana, Uganda, Namibia and South Africa, so I hope this just cements what those songs already introduced them to.”
Vuyo Brown has been active in music for over a decade. In these years, she has established herself as a respected voice in Zimbabwean music, known for healing vocals and inspiring lyrics.
Fan favourites such as Thula Wazi, Ndikuxolele and Vuyani have helped establish her as one of Zimbabwe’s respected contemporary Christian voices.
Brown said she hopes listeners will not only enjoy the musical journey through its three distinct sections but also leave with a renewed understanding of their identity and purpose.
