Langelihle Dube and Gift Moyo
BULAWAYO’s Prince of Soul, MJ Sings, reaffirmed his musical versatility on Sunday evening, treating fans to an engaging live experience that showcased his evolving artistry through soulful vocals, collaborations and an Afro-house DJ set.
The MJ Sings Live Experience unfolded as a musical journey, bringing together different performers and sounds in an evening that built from a relaxed atmosphere into an energetic celebration of music, dance and audience participation.
DJ Sida opened proceedings with a laid-back set before MJ The DJ raised the tempo with an upbeat Hip-Hop selection, warming up the crowd for the night’s main act.
As darkness descended, the spotlight shifted to MJ Sings, who took fans through his musical catalogue, including selections from his recently released EP, Isoka.
The singer’s connection with the audience was evident, with revellers singing along to his songs. In moments when some struggled with the lyrics, he took time to teach them, turning the performance into an interactive musical experience.
He was later joined by Bulawayo Hip-Hop artiste Boy Nino for their collaboration, Temper, before Pop songstress Bhekiwe took to the stage to perform Away, her recent collaboration with MJ Sings, which also features on the Isoka EP.
Bhekiwe subsequently delivered selections from her own catalogue, showcasing her stage presence and vocal appeal. MJ Sings also brought another surprise guest on stage, adding to the evening’s collaborative spirit.
However, one of the night’s standout moments came when MJ Sings traded the microphone for the DJ decks, unveiling another dimension of his musical identity.
Having honed his DJing skills at Nizhe De Soul (NDS) Academy, the artiste is exploring a performance format that blends live vocals with DJing, drawing inspiration from South African acts such as Zakes Bantwini and Kitchen Mess.
His Afro-house set offered a refreshing departure from his established identity as a vocalist, demonstrating his willingness to explore new creative territory while broadening his musical repertoire.
He later handed over to fellow NDS Academy student Phantom Serge, who kept the momentum alive with a carefully curated set.
Opening with NDS’s Penge Penge remix, Phantom immediately lifted the energy, maintaining the lively atmosphere with a selection of records that carried revellers through to the close of the event.
Beyond celebrating MJ Sings’ return to the stage, the live experience provided a platform for fellow artistes and emerging talent to showcase their abilities, underlining the collaborative spirit within Bulawayo’s music scene.
Reflecting on the event in a social media post, MJ Sings expressed gratitude to fans and supporters who contributed to its success, describing the occasion as more than just a show.
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Last night was more than just a show, it was a beautiful reminder of what we can create when people come together to support a dream.
“To everyone who came through, bought a ticket, shared the posters, invited a friend, sang along, danced, and showed me love – thank you for being part of this special moment. Your presence made the night what it was, and I don’t take any of it for granted,” he said.
