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Edgar Moyana Christian Entertainment
Harare-based accapella group Firm Faith is making waves on the local music charts with their new hit single titled “Wanyanya” released in April.
The song which is a prelude to their forthcoming album, “Munenyasha”, has been number one for seven weeks on Star Fm’s Gospel Greats before its steady climb-down to the second position in the last two weeks.
Speaking in an interview, manager Bradley Mberi said the fact that the track spoke volumes about the growing demand for accapela music among gospel music lovers.
“This has been an eye-opener for us accapella groups because we are seeing that there is so much demand and love for accapella music in Zimbabwe.”
Since accapella music used to be considered as belonging almost exclusively to Seventh Day Adventists, Bradley said it was encouraging that the music market now accepted and appreciates accapella which sounded different from conventional gospel music.
He also said as accapella groups, it was necessary for them to give listeners more accapella music instead of confining it to their church.
“For many years we have kept this beautiful music to ourselves and to our church but I think this record that our song ‘Wanyanya’ has made of being number one for seven weeks means that we need to do more to bring accapella music to the people.
“Being number one for seven weeks also shows God’s grace upon our group. We are not the best in Zimbabwe, there are other accapella groups but we made it on top for this long,” he said.
He added that the success of their single was also to do with the songs’ message which he described as harsh, realistic and pregnant with a message of hope for the listener.
Describing the song’s message, Mberi said the voice behind “Wanyanya” can be considered as that of God where He is reproving people against habits of rumour-mongering and their tendency of paying heed negative things people say about their lives.
He said the major aim of “Wanyanya” was to remind those people and Christians who were demotivated by repeated negative rumours against them to ignore them and instead listen more to the voice of God through His word.
“The message of ‘Wanyanya’ is a rather harsh message where the song is saying hey, you have wasted too much time listening to negativity against your life, it’s high time you listen to the voice of God.”
“God says no matter how sinful you are come and let us reason together. I will wipe away your sins,” he said.
He added that many people in society or church judged others on the basis of their wrongdoing. This led many to lose hope of salvation because they consider themselves as already condemned due to the negative comments people make about them.
“In life people judge others such as saying this person, because of what he or she has done is condemned. Some will end up saying why should I bother to pray, there is no hope of salvation for me in this life.
“This song is therefore meant to give such people hope. We are saying ignore what people say and listen to the voice of God. He alone created you and only he knows you. He says I’m the one that loves you. Come, repent and I will give you a new life,” said Bradley.
He added that rumours can be anything negative that is said on a person’s life. Such rumours can be said against one’s marriage, job, relationship or country.
According to Bradley, rumour-mongering was a habit among people in society and its dangers were that it caused many to lose sight of God.
He said their song also sought to reproach people affected by rumour-mongering for listening more to unprofitable talk against them instead of focusing on the voice of God through His scriptures.
Apart from the song’s message, the track itself is stylishly composed and it is not surprising that most radio listeners have fallen in love with its entertaining tune coupled with the well blended voices in the song.
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