MAI PATAI TAKES HUGE GAMBLE
MAI Patai reckons its high time local gospel divas go out of their way and reinvent the wheel.
The award-winning songstress said it is also high time they experiment with new sounds to win hearts of many and eventually break new ground.
She opened up ahead of the release of her much-hyped single titled Ndinoda Kuona, set to be released this Friday.
In an interview with H-Metro, the crowned princess of praise and worship was upbeat the single would catapult her to acclaim.
“I have been experimenting a lot with my sound to ensure that I capture other markets and hearts of many who believe in us.
“On the 19th of February, I will be releasing my single titled Ndinoda Kuona, which was produced by Harare-based producer and saxophonist Joseph Chinouriri of Naletha Studios.
“Jose is a young producer who has been in the game for a while and I have never doubted him,” she said.
Mai Patai said it was a joy working with the new producer, who has the Midas touch.
“I might be experienced in the game, but when it comes to the creative side, we need to embrace each other and work as a team.
“I have noted that there is this new crop of producers who have been eclipsed by the elder generation, but we need to embrace then and give them a chance,” she said.
She also described the team she worked with on this single as phenomenal.
“On my single, I worked with seasoned instrumentalists namely Naphtali Chivandikwa, Takakunda Mukundu, Prince MaDhiwali Dzuwa, Douglas Mazumbo and Joseph Chinouriri.
“I also roped in Keisha Sande and Kelvin Nash as backing vocalists,” she added.
Besides music, Mai Patai is now a qualified pastor after graduating with a Diploma in Pastoral Theology from at Living Waters Theological Seminary at (Azusa Campus, Bulawayo) last year.
She has three albums to her credit, namely Makanaka, Samulena and Punish the Devil, which is a 2018 production.
Mai Patai gets a lot of support from her Namibia-based husband Ephraim Patai.
The Mazambara hit-maker is also a philanthropist who has been helping the needy in the Midlands.
A 2018 NAMA award winner, she has made it into the top three of the Coca Cola Top 50 awards, being the first woman in Zimbabwe to qualify for the gong.
Born Respina Patai more than 40 years ago, the diva has been using Mai Patai as her stage name.
The Patais are blessed with four girls. “I started singing at church when I was young that is where I met my husband. I started recording music in 2002 when I was 23 years old and I sang the song Mazambara.
“Before 2002, I was singing under my Husband Ephraim Patai and the Voice of Prophecy.
“I go to AFM Church in Zimbabwe.
All my inspiration and strength comes from God, supportive fans, my encouraging family and other musicians like Gospel Trumpet led by Rev Stan Mutemererwa, Synach from Nigeria, the late Dr Oliver Mtukudzi, Aleck Macheso and many other artistes,”
Mai Patai as quoted in one edition of H-Metro.
Mai Patai is one of the few gospel divas who have remained consistent in the game along with Mai Charamba, Janet Manyowa, Olinda Marowa, Fungisai Zvakavapano and Argatha Murudzwa among others.