Gift Moyo, [email protected]
WHILE other artistes might be daunted by the prospect of filling a prestigious venue on their own, acclaimed Bulawayo vocalist MJ Sings has laid down a challenge to contenders for his throne after announcing the return of his solo Prince of Soul concert, set for Kings Kraal on November 1.
After seeing his star steadily rise over the last few years, during which he has won the hearts of music lovers with barnstorming live performances and impressive appearances on his own tracks and those of other artistes, MJ Sings is determined to cement his place among the cream of Zimbabwe’s modern-day vocalists.
Dubbed “The Prince of Soul”, the show is more than just the return of a concert. It is MJ Sings reasserting his credentials and daring anyone who might believe that, after the concert’s two-year hiatus, his crown is now within reach.
This year’s edition is also another show of faith in his own career, with the confident artiste promoting the concert himself.
“It’s not really my first (live show). I have hosted other ones previously and took a break for two years. I just feel like it’s the perfect time for me to get back into hosting again and treating the audience with the live experience I always want to share with them but I get limited at times by promoter budgets so this time around I decided to book myself,” said MJ.
As a trailblazer, the singer said he was not afraid to show other artistes in Bulawayo that headlining and organising their own gigs could help advance their careers.
“It will be the third time doing the One Man Show. The first one we ever did was in 2022 at the Bulawayo Theatre so it’s not really much of a nerve-wracking thing for us . Plus we have a long-spanning catalogue so it’s only fair that we give the audience every bit of it.
“I know for the new audiences it seems like a new concert but it has been something we have been doing for quite some time and sparked the possibility of local acts hosting their own events at some point,” he said.
For MJ, the concert in November will also be the culmination of the blood, sweat and tears he has invested in his career over the last 13 years.
“It’s been a long process, started making music and performing in 2014. Every talent show, club gigs, events etc, were those baby steps that helped me build my base. I have been quite blessed to have a supportive system around and to me we’re a community and family,” he said.
As a versatile vocalist and performer, MJ said the concert was also an opportunity to show his appreciation to local fans by treating them to a musical journey through his growing discography, including his Afro House catalogue.
“It’s definitely going to be an experience of both live music and the house experience. I want to take the audience on a journey through all of their favorite MJ Sings records and relive them live,” he said.
As the headline act, MJ has recruited a small group of local DJs to warm up the crowd on the day, although the emphasis will remain firmly on the live experience he intends to give his fans.
“We will have a few DJs on the decks warming the crowd up before my performance but I won’t really have a lot of supporting acts except for maybe surprise acts on featured songs because I want the event to be about the MJ Sings fans. They call the shots,” he said.
Reflecting on the recent success of his musical career, including two major Afro House records that have gained international attention, MJ said he was enjoying a period of sustained growth, with support coming from both local and international audiences.
“Definitely cruising smoothly, been getting a lot of love and the growth on our numbers has been visible. We’re definitely on the right lane and I am excited to see how far we can go,” he said.
