adminBongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
BULAWAYO-based gospel diva Abigail Mwembe is set to record her debut live CD and DVD for the third album titled Basking in His Glory which she describes as a fulfilment of her father’s dying wish to see her succeed on the gospel music scene. The live musical project, which is scheduled to be recorded by the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), is slated for the Bulawayo Theatre on October 11. This will be the second project to be recorded live by ZBC after renowned gospel musician Mai Shingisai Suluma’s Maitiro Enyu which took place at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC).
Mwembe, who fronts Bayandwa Baleza, told Chronicle Showbiz that her father saw her struggles when she started her career in 2001.
He died in 2005.
She said her family can now see the fruits of their prayers with the live recording of her third album.
“When I look back and remember how my father and family would see disappointments, being in and out of the studio and my two previous albums not doing well, it stirs up emotions. My father’s prayer was for this moment to come to pass and finish what I had started by the grace of God,” said Mwembe.
The 31-year-old former Regina Mundi Girls High student has two albums Makabongwe, (2001) and Tataleza, (2005) which did not do well on the market.
She said her first two projects were more of a learning curve.
“I feel I am now in a better position. In the past two years I have worked with seasoned local and regional gospel musicians and that has opened my eyes and thinking on how to be a better gospel musician in Zimbabwe,” said Mwembe.
She said preparations were going smoothly as she had been rehearsing for the past three months for the big day.
“This is my first ever live project and I am happy that everything is going well. The group and I have been rehearsing for the past three months so I feel everybody in the band is physically and mentally ready for the big day,” Mwembe said.
She said the self funded project was planned two years ago and would feature Harvest House Church’s Hosanna Choir.
“Gospel music is a calling for me and I have been working on this project, planning and saving since 2012. It took a lot of hard work, prayers and sacrifice to raise the amounts needed to do a live recording,” said Mwembe.
She said that was why people would pay $5 at the door to be part of the festivities.
The musician, who is originally from Binga, will see some tracks in the album being sung in Tonga in a move that she feels is one way of promoting her language through music and dance.
Mwembe said the live recordings were the “in-thing” as most gospel groups and musicians regionally and internationally were doing so.
“These days live DVDs are an in-thing. Even many local groups are now into it. I have recently toured Zambia, Botswana and South Africa where I have done some performances and I realised that it is fast becoming a trend that we cannot run away from. I have also realised that people can easily relate to your music through live performances,” she said.
Online Reporter