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Tafadzwa Zimoyo-Senior Arts Reporter
Upcoming gospel musician Isaac Gosten has said people with hearing impairments enjoy music as much as other people, hence their needs should be catered for in music production.
Gosten said this recently after unveiling his new song, “Mwanasikana Akakoshawo” and its accompanying visuals.
The gospel artiste, whose video incorporates sign language, said the song gives hope to listeners that they will make it out of any difficult situation.
“They always say that when singing, remember that as with hearing people, the perception of music by a person with hearing impairment differs greatly, and they may prefer certain types of music over others.
“I chose to include the deaf community as I felt the need to inform, educate, heal broken hearts, appeal to their souls and entertain them. The deaf people are just like us, hence the need to incorporate them musically. The song has been receiving overwhelming response on local radio stations and television.”
In the song he tackled the issue of discrimination against the girl child, cultural beliefs and sanitary challenges among others.
“The song ‘Mwanasikana Akakoshawo’, is dedicated to the girl child as it talks about many of the ills and how the girls are losing their self-esteem. The song gives encouragement to the young girls, hence I decided also to have it on sign language so that the hearing impaired can benefit too.”
He added that the song is set to change the mindset of the community.
Asked about how he was going to promote the single, Gosten said although his other songs did not do well on radio and social media platforms, he has dedicated his time to promote this single and was planning to engage relevant authorities that deal with girl child issues to help push the initiative.
“I am working with my management team to hold some virtual shows to promote the single. I am also in talks with some non governmental organisations that have adopted the song. Someone said the song should be the theme song for Miss Deaf beauty pageant and it is also my dream to perform the song at that ceremony. I hope my plea will be heard.
“My other songs did not do well marketwise and I have learnt from the mistakes now. My first studio recording was ‘Usarase Tariro’ in 2020 and was in the Zifm Gospel chart show then followed by ‘Mwanasikana Akakoshawo’, both under AnaXee Studios,” said the Chitungwiza-based artiste.
Gosten, who is an accounts clerk by profession, said he can trace his love for music to his youth days.
“I was a shy person during my youth days. When I was asked to sing in front of a crowd, it was very hard for me.
‘‘I write my songs based on societal settings, and with time I grew in confidence, and here I am. I had a passion for photography and went through mentorship of the late veteran photojournalist, Mr Fidelis Zvomuya at the National Art Gallery,” he said.,
“The call to embark on a musical journey started in 2019. It was difficult for me as I have never been a lead vocalist. I used to distance myself each time I was given an opportunity. People would laugh at me, and this made me learn privately. My mission was more into preaching the gospel. Yes, it is my calling.”
Online Reporter