Tevedzai releases debut album

By Richmore Tera
IF ever there is one music genre that spawns the majority of new talent every year than any other then it is gospel music.
Dynamite, as they say, comes in small packages.
This adage proves to be true for gospel music’s new kid on the block, Lloyd Tevedzai, who has just released his debut six-track album, titled “Ndipei Meso”.
The album is likely to leave some of the big names in the genre green with envy.
At the age of 24, the young musician has managed to come up with a tip-top album of international appeal, a feat that normally takes established musicians a long time to achieve.
But perseverance and hard work, as they say, are the keys to success and this is exactly what defines Tevedzai.
What one immediately discovers after listening to his music is that the young artiste was heavily influenced by Kudzi Nyakudya and South African gospel diva Lundi because he sounds exactly like both of them.
Tevedzai himself conceded that these two artistes played a big part in shaping his career as a musician.
“I was inspired by Lundi, Kudzi Nyakudya and later on Sabastian Magacha.
“That is why my music has this South African feel to it because I grew up listening to Lundi’s music.
“I always told myself that one day I would be like him, on the music side that is.
“Kudzi also played a bigger part in making sure that I record my music when he advised me to come up with a demo,” said Tevedzai.
The album was recorded, marketed and distributed by Diamond Studios.
The album is enhanced by the inclusion of seasoned musicians like Mcdee and Bethan Pasinawako, who assisted him with some of the backing vocals, while Lyton Ngolomi also produced, mixed and mastered it.
The title track, “Ndipei Meso”, is a plea to God for spiritual guidance.
A similar message is carried in the compelling song “Bata Ruoko Rwangu” in which a person is asking God for support and guidance along the steep, slippery and rocky roads of life.
“Musandisiye Baba, Ishe batai ruoko rwangu ndisatsvedze, pandinofamba panotsvedza (God hold my hand so that I don’t slip and fall),” sings Tevedzai.
The popular church hymn “Tichafara Naye” was done in a compelling way featuring talented diva Bethan Pasinawako and Alpha Dhapi, while “Gore Rapera” is a jubilant song praising God for safeguarding them throughout the year and keeping them away from the devil’s machinations.
“Dai Asiri Jesu” and “Ndovimba Nemi” are personal testimonies of how God redeems people like the way he did to the biblical Job who was ostracised and looked down upon by society during challenging times.
Born on March 14, 1987 in Chiredzi, Tevedzai started his music career at a very tender age.
“I started singing at primary school at at Chimedza Primary in Zaka and Zimuto Camp in Masvingo right up to high school at Masvingo Day Secondary.
“I grew up with a passion for music singing at school, and was later urged by my teachers to take up music seriously.
“After school, I took my demos to some recording companies who unfortunately turned them down until Diamond Studios signed me on for this project,” said Tevedzai.
His mission as a gospel artiste is to spread the word of God.