Joke’s on critics after gospel group releases new video
A few short weeks ago they were a trending joke as their music video made the rounds on Facebook, but thanks to a group of Kariega (Uitenhage) musicians, the Tears of Joy gospel group is having the last laugh.
When Tears of Joy released a video of their song,
Sihamba noYesu, the reaction from social media users was unexpected and more than a little disappointing, especially to the younger and more sensitive group members.
They had hoped fans would support and sing along to their song but instead memes - some of them particularly scathing and nasty - started doing the rounds.
However, after a few good Samaritans reached out to popular Kariega filmmaker Siyabulela “Skelem” Bolokoqoshe to help the group with a professional video shoot, he called on industry colleagues to step in.
“A number of people tagged me on the circulating video, asking me to help.
“Though I ignored it at first, I eventually felt that they could really use my help,” Bolokoqoshe said.
“I was hesitant about approaching them because I thought it would be hard for them to trust me after everyone had turned them into a joke.
“I thought they would probably assume that I wanted to make fun of them even further.”
The rapper and videographer reached out to producer Monwabisi Jack and composer Luzuko Dayimane and his rap group members Ayanda “Shandaan” Nxakala and Luvuyo “Lvee” Vena to hop on board and create a song with the gospel group.
“I have worked with gospel singers and made gospel hip hop music before, but never with a group, and because I knew Dayimane and Jack had experience with gospel groups, I knew they would help us work better.
“Once we got into the studio, we could tell that the gospel group was talented and we wanted to prove that to everyone,” Bolokoqoshe said.
In the new song, Imbewu, Bolokoqoshe’s rap group Dark Okes brings a hip hop and kwaito twist while the gospel group sing their hearts out.
For the video, shot by Bolokoqoshe’s company Mello Agency, the team managed to source decor services, a makeup artist and a vehicle from a funeral parlour.
Tears of Joy was founded by musician Zanenkosi Tyuku in 2011.
Now boasting about 20 members of different ages, they perform at Kariega events like CD launches and gospel concerts.
Tears of Joy choirmaster Thembinkosi Snyman said the younger members of the group were saddened by the public’s reaction to the first song.
“We sing with young children who are still fragile, so some of them were angry and saddened by what people were saying on Facebook,” Snyman said.
“However, they eventually became motivated by the end result.”
Bolokoqoshe’s intervention revived the group’s spirits, he said.
“We’re so happy and grateful that he came to us to offer help even though other people were making fun of us.
“Now that we have all worked together and made a comeback with a hit song, Tears of Joy has become more popular in [Kariega].”
Bolokoqoshe said he was humbled that the public trusted him to assist the group.
“It’s very humbling when people know that they can call on you to step in when someone needs help.
“That means my work has had a positive impact on people’s lives.
The Imbewu music video was released on YouTube on February 11.
The video has been viewed more than 1,800 times.
The team has also created an 18-minute documentary about the making of Imbewu.
This can be viewed on the U-Town TV Facebook page.