Taki rewarded for enduring hits
Gospel star scores gold disc for big sales
Gospel singer Takalani “Taki” Ndou has just proven that his music is still relevant and touches people’s lives.
Last Friday he was presented with a gold disc after his second album, Psalms of Hope, sold more than 20 000 units. The surprise presentation took place in Pretoria, where some of his stablemates were in attendance.
“I am humbled by this achievement. I am happy that my album achieved gold status in a space of a year, instead of doing that in a week or month. This shows that my music has been relevant for the whole year. In South Africa, something is fashionable for just three months ... after that people forgot about it,” Ndou says.
Psalms of Hope, which Ndou says is packed with strong message of hope, was released in May last year. “Through the album, I am giving people hope that whatever situation you are in God is there. He can do anything, you don’t have to give up,” he says.
Since he is inspired by musicians like Benjamin Dube and the late Sfiso Ncwane, his sound has an influence of both musicians. Ndou says he sings in different languages to grow his fan base.
Born at HaMutsha village near Thohoyandou in Venda, Ndou began singing at the age of five.
When he was growing up, he played a home-made tin guitar.
“I would sit with a tape recorder and record myself as I sing and play my guitar.”
He has been singing professionally since 2008, trying to break into the industry. Ndou says the reason he took so long to drop this album was that he wanted to find his own style. His first album, Psalmist, was released in 2013.
“I hate imitating others. I had to find myself and understand my own style. I did that because I wanted to be unique,” he says.
Ndou regularly performs internationally and has had shows in Botswana, Lesotho, Germany, US, and Trinidad and Tobago.