Great Stone in the mix for top music award
Motivational speaker-turnedmusician Great Stone is one of the Eastern Cape-based gospel artists vying for the Independent Gospel Music Awards prize (Ingoma) taking place later this month.
The awards, founded by Dan Raseluma in 2013, serve as the face and voice for upcoming and independent gospel and Christian musicians.
They are aimed at unearthing and promoting talent through recognition and awards.
Great Stone – real name Tony O Eze – said he was honoured to be nominated at this year’s Ingoma.
“It is only by God’s grace that my music was able to make it to the nominations. It also shows that there is a market for what I do, people appreciate it,” he said. Eze started off as a motivational speaker but over the years has added some beats to make music from his talks.
“I write and sing inspirational gospel songs. I started singing at the age of seven and my parents allowed me to join our church choir back in Lagos at that age. I’ve always enjoyed music but I was more into motivational talks,” he said.
Eze said it was only in 2015 that he took a leap of faith and released his first single, Winnerman. “The single was well received by the public and it went on to win the best contemporary gospel song at the third Kumkani FM Music Awards,” he said.
Eze said even if he did not win the Ingoma, he was grateful for the opportunity.
“The nomination is validation that I am on the right path and I want my music to continue touching people.”
The singer recently released his debut album, Greatstone Gives God Gratitude.
“I will be shooting a music video for one of the songs titled Kingdom and I hope it will go viral.”
Other Eastern Cape nominees include Zipho Venam Abantwana, rapper Incense and Aviwe Gqomfa.
The awards will be held at the Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City on August 25. The hosts for the night will be Lethabo ‘LeJoy’ Mathatho and Martin PK.
To vote for Great Stone, SMS, ‘Ingoma Best Gospel Hip Hop Great Stone’ to 45633. SMSes cost R1.50.
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