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Powerhouse strives to drive,” she said.
It is reported that the entries for this year’s showcase exceeded 600 and only a few musicians made the cut.
While the judges will decide on who will win in most of the categories, six categories have been left for the public to vote on and these include Best Gospel Amazion, Best Gospel Maskandi, Best Gospel Artist, Best Gospel Song, Best Gospel TV Show and Best Community Radio Show.
Other categories to look forward to include the Best Male, where Mthethwa again finds himself battling against the likes of Bold Music’s Taki Ndou, Dr Tumi and Pastor Lungi Ndala. The competition here is undoubtedly between Mthethwa and Ndou.
The Best Female category, too, is heavily contested.
Here we have gospel powerhouses who include Deborah Fraser and Winnie Mashaba facing off against the newer vocalist, Lebo Sekgobela, and former Joyous Celebration singer, Mahalia Buchanan.
This is the first time that the Crown Gospel Awards will be preceded by the Christian Expo Africa. The expo will take place at the same venue as the awards, the Durban International Convention Centre, from Friday, November 25. The Crown Gospel Music Awards will then be held on Sunday, November 27. “LET me tell you an interesting story,” Khuli Chana says. “Here’s what I find truly inspiring about my collaborations with Patoranking. Mamas (MTV Africa Music Awards) 2014. I performed as a part of a medley.
“One of the things I really wanted to get out of being there was a West African artist to collaborate with. I knew it was time to do something with that kind of artist, but I didn’t want a Davido or a Wizkid – I didn’t want someone who was already huge then. I wanted someone who was about to pop. Under the radar, but with a lot of people vouching for him.”
So Khuli asked around and Patoranking’s name consistently came up. “Little did I know that while I was on stage in 2014, Patoranking was in the crowd watching me and saying: ‘Damn, I want to work with this guy one day!’ In 2015, my deal with Absolut happened and I was asked to present the Best Newcomer Award by Absolut at those Mamas. Two weeks before that, I had gone in studio with Pato to record two songs. So when the awards came around, it was just my hunch that he had a big chance to win Best Newcomer. And he did win! So I was like: ‘Goddamn!’
“He was in the same category as Cassper (Nyovest) and I got a lot of flak from home because people were like: ‘Why does it seem like you got a little too excited when Patoranking won?’ But it was like investing in stocks and then, boom!”
The explosion first came in the form of a song called No Lie. The dancehall-driven jam is a departure from Khuli’s signature Motswako sound. But can they repeat the hit? A song called Success hints at the possibility. The song will be featured on Khuli’s upcoming album, One Source.
The album will be preceded by an EP to be released next month. While fans wait for that, they can celebrate Patoranking’s success right now. The Nigerian dancehall artist took home the Mama for Song of the Year for his smash, My Woman, My Everything.
I congratulate him and the artist laughs. “Until I become a billionaire in dollars and I’m happy, I don’t think I’m successful,” he shares. “For now, I’m still working.” Part of that work includes collaboration. Success with Chana expresses his true feelings.
Patoranking says: “Success is just me trying to talk about life. Trying to tell people that I’m on my way to success. I’m just focused on where I’m going. The beat sounded amazing.”
The pair have plans to work on a third song together. Khuli says he enjoys Patoranking’s process. “The actual studio session was fun. We did it like we used to do it when we were coming up. We wrote together line over line. And next thing you know, it’s a party!
“That’s how studio sessions should be. They shouldn’t be so business-like. It was so organic and that is so rare these days.”
Khuli Chana’s One Source EP is out next month and Patoranking’s GOE is now on iTunes.