adminIn the same vein, the choice of dressing or costumes by gospel artistes or groups plays a major role in reflecting a group’s cultural background from which performing artistes express their messages through music.
The question of which type of dress or costumes to use on stage or when shooting music videos usually determines whether their music will either be well received or rejected by fans.
While careful selection of costumes prepares music fans to receive the gospel message carried in music, some people say the type of clothes artistes wear during stage performances gives an indication of the spirituality and moral standards of artistes.
This depends on the cultural background of the audience.
Although some countries may be more tolerant of certain dress codes like trousers or short skirts by female gospel artistes, in other countries, performing artistes can actually be pelted with stones and other missiles during live performances if they to be improperly dressed.
Zimbabwean gospel artistes are generally expected to dress in a modest manner.
The story, however, changes if our artistes decide to tour other countries where apart from merely performing, they are expected to promote their cultural background through dress.
Although this may not be mandatory what is clear is that dressing and the use of language presents artistes with an opportunity to be experimental and creative in their performances.
While music sung in local languages to non-Zimbabwean audience may pose a language barrier, blocking audience’s reception and understanding of the message in songs, this challenge can be overcome if songs are first explained in a language understood by fans before they are sung during a show.
Over the weekend I was watching a gospel music video of Joyous Celebration which features Zimbabwean gospel artiste Mkhululi Bhebhe, whose stage performances are a marvel to watch.
While performing Shona songs to a non-Shona- speaking audience may be a challenge to some, Bhebhe demonstrated his talent by the leading celebration songs.
He managed to wow the audience to sing along and even interpreted some of the Shona lyrics into English.
I am sure anyone who watched this video must have felt proud to be Zimbabwean.
Another good example of a group that uses both our local languages and dress to promote our cultural and national identity during their stage performances is one United States-based gospel accapella group, Innovators.
According to the group’s president, Mr Dzango Chatsama, Innovators carry our national flag, which they have since adopted to be part of their uniform during their
performances in order to promote our national identity through music.
“We have made it point that everyone in the United States knows that Zimbabwe has a lot to offer to the world by carrying our national flag as part of our uniform or when performing on stage.
“Zimbabwe has the best talent ever. We are happy to be representing our peace-loving country,” said Mr Chatsama.
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