JN: Welcome to our Show Zim GBCTainment Show today in our first episode we have a sophisticated singer based in Johannesburg, the former Vocal X and Family voices Singer Melusi ‘Melzee’ Sibanda
JN: Welcome Melusi ‘Melzee’ Sibanda to our Show
May you please introduce yourself and tell us who is Melzee??
MMS: Good evening saints,it’s really a blessing to be a part of this show tonight,am humbled 🙏,
Melzee is an upcoming singer,song writer and arranger,who is crazy about music,seeing as it’s a gift deposited to him by the heavens kkkkk
JN: Welcome…… May you please take us through your music journey…….
MMS: Well,I realised I could sing during my primary school days,where I got an opportunity to be a part of the school choir,that’s when I fell in love with music,I only knew my cousins who were singing in the family Voices 2nd generation then so I so wished I could reach their level,thus they became the bar I had set for myself,fast track to secondary school,we then started a group with the likes of “Ronald Stone” at St Bernard’s high and called it Soul winners,this group was the in thing those days kkkkk,coz we were called to every school function,I then went to Family of God church I think in 2006/7 where family voices 3rd generation started,then from there a couple of years later Vocalex was formed and I was in the foundations of these major groups,all because of the love of music 🎵,recently this family voices came fourth at an African Competition called Old mutual Amazing Voices,
MMS : Last year I got to win a competition called the Wow gospel,that’s me in these few years I’ve ventured into music
JN : Which challenges did you face as a local Gospel singer while you were in Zimbabwe…..
You once had a stint with the Vocal X and Family Voices what drove you to leave them?
MMS : Challenges
-lack of money for awareness of who you are,for recording,
-singing for “God bless you broe”meaning we had to sing on many functions not for moola but for that famous statement “God bless you” 😂😂😂🙌🏽
-singing for people sometimes who could say we building your exposure,this happened for years,
-Nothing came easy every platform I was to sing at there had to be sweat for one to land an opportunity there
MMS : I left FV and Vocalex because of Covid,those times were hectic for my pockets and my family so leaving wasn’t personal but for the betterment of my household needed to something fast for my family’s survival,it was one of the painful experiences of my life no lie,I get soo emotional every time I think of those times sir
JN : Okay, … So how has been your experience in South Africa???
JN: Who has been your inspiration in the music industry
MMS : This side is been a work till you drop experience for me,I’d get busy that day I’d only have Sundays as my day off,but then again I have to be at church,it’s been hectic saints kkkk
MMS: Huge names like Mnqobi Nxumalo,Khaya Mthethwa,Janet Manyowa,Minister Michael Mahendere,Eric Moyo,Mkhululi Bhebhe,Thembelani Mdlaziba,The list is endless angikangeni e America lols kkkkk
JN: How can you compare the support you are being given that side with the support you were given here back home…. What’s your take on the assertion that Bulawayo people tend to shun local artists??
MMS : There is a statement that goes like “A prophet ain’t celebrated at his place of aboard”it’s only the people from afar that recognise his gifting”I’ve received more support from cities I’ve sung in this side
From polokwane to Durban more I guess,coz maybe I’m not known this side like I was back home,the other thing is we’d only make impact from church peeps and friends,so it could seem like there ain’t no support,yet friends would want to be a part of the show using a free pass not moola to support I’ve seen this a lot,yoooh kasisize uJehovah lols
JN: So apart from music what are your other interests
MMS : Am a caterer for my side hustles,a back ground actor,a preacher yeah,and an entrepreneur
MMS : So as a gospel artists what advise would you give to those who would want to venture into gospel music……
JN : Have you produced any albums, collaborations…. Do you have any upcoming project????
JN: If you were to be given a chance who would you like to collaborate with….
MMS : Working out your music and compositions in private and seeking help over them will help us be better versions of ourselves musically,since the tone of our voices is different we are all different and God made us that way so we need to embrace the gifts that we were given by God,coz from our uniqueness we bring variety on radio stations and everywhere we are given an opportunity to sing ✊🏽
MMS : I have 2 singles to my name now
1st Ngaye kuyenzeka done in 2020
2.Nguwe done in 2022
Thinkin of doin another this year in Zim thou
MMS : Now it’d be Nqubeko Mbatha his arrangements have been a blessing to me no lie
JN : Talking about radio stations back here home what’s your take on the fact that Bulawayo Gospel singers are not given adequate coverage by local radio stations back here in Zimbabwe???
MMS : It’s been an ongoing thing we’ve all experienced it yes,thou I feel like we need to get our music to social sites ourselves,creating challenges on TikTok,instagram,coz ever since my songs have been played,I’ve never gotten a single cent in royalties so this destroys the zeal to continue taking music there,maybe podcasts and social media can help us going further coz radio wise it’s been a noo noo for me
JN : What about those in rural or remote areas who do not have access to social media or the internet who still depend on traditional means such as radios as an artist how would you reach out to them?
MMS : That’s a difficult one broe,coz on radio one doesn’t even know how many people are listening to your staff and giving to it,on social media people will tell you off/the truth and you’d actually monitor as to how you do your next project,so for people in the rural areas this industry will be actually difficult,for one has to take their music to the people,for those in the rural areas I know they can access the internet 🛜 even from there coz it’s key nowadays,that’s where one can get bookings,and feed back and get actual figures of his/her impact on the few people they command on social sites
JN: What are Challenges affecting the music industry in Zimbabwe and what he thinks should be done in order to reach global relevance especially with gospel music.?
MMS : As Africans we will never go wrong in fusing our traditional elements to the gospel,that will give us mileage in the world,i remember this from Lindelani Mkhize after performing in Durban as “family voices” anything new takes people’s attention,doing the same sound over and over again limits us,no one can deny something fresh
MMS : If we look closely to Mtukudzi we could learn a lot,we would feel Zimbo sounds and instruments and this got him to festivals around the world
JN: Okay thank you very much for your time….. What are your last words to the followers and anyone who would like to venture into gospel music…..
MMS : For giving an ear to what I had to say,I’m humbled and I thank you soo much ladies and gents,If music is what you dream of,and it’s what you see yourself doing,never discard yourself from trying it out,there is no formula to this,1 song can make you a world renowned artist just like that,never stop believing in your self,what’s happening on the ground can try to hinder you from excelling but don’t stop continue,one day it’d yield results ✊🏽🙏
-Zim GBC News2023