GOSPEL MUSIC’S POWER COUPLE
It has become a norm for most band members who form part of established musicians’ groups to start their own projects when they have convinced themselves that they can be standalone artistes in the music industry.
the phenomenon is not exclusive to any particular genre and actually works for some musicians as they prosper whether producing similar music as they did under known musicians or totally different.
For some, it becomes the worst decision they make that can actually end their road in the music industry sometimes forcing them to go on their knees begging their former employers for readmission.
that is not the case with the couple of Charles Chipanga and his wife Namatayi Mubariki who have merged their talent and taken up gospel music against all odds.
Both of them are former members of Jazz icon Oliver Mtukudzi’s Black Spirits where Charles used to play the ethnic marimba and Namatayi was a backing vocalist.
Using the combination of their respective names the duo has created a brand called “Chalenam Rhythms” and they are enjoying the fruits of their decision as they are growing strong with the
unique ethnic jazz gospel sound which is “Christ-centred”.
“My greatest role model is Jesus Christ and I study how he conducted himself in different situations so while I look at that I start meditating and most of my lyrics come from there,” Chipanga told
Standardstyle.
Since its inception in 2011, Chalenam Rhythms has released two albums and are set to release their third, a 10-track album titled
Goodnessinseptember.
Chipanga is convinced that the album will impress many as it is a better production than their past works owing to the ample amount of time they took working on it.
“Every time that Chalenam Rhythms has released something it is always a step up as was the case when we released the first two albums, it was always going a notch up so I think on this album we have gone three notches up because of the years we have taken working on it,” Chipanga said.
His career started when he was in the choir back in the 1990s while at primary school where at one point, gospel maestro, (whom he interestingly shares a name with) Charles Charamba noticed him while singing at a school event and predicted a bright future.
He added that since that day he is inspired by the Charambas who are often referred to as the “First Family of Gospel Music” due to their immense contribution to
gospel music and lifestyle as a God-fearing couple.
the new album contains a song in which he did a duet called
Ndezvamwari with the Machira
Chete singer. the mutual connection between the two lovebirds goes beyond their matrimonial home as they complement each other even when writing songs.
“Whenever I write a song I write it with her [Namatayi] voice in my mind and I am forced to change a bit if she cannot sync with what I have written,” he said.
He said, unlike many musicians, he is does not make music to produce hit songs but music that will stand the taste of time with a relevant message presented in a mature style.
“Release has to do with the message that I have at the time [because] I do not produce hits but instead I produce music that lasts long and that is why the past albums are still penetrating the market as we speak,” he said.
Chipanga who has not disappointed in most of his live shows has a personal connection with the marimba instrument and he thanked tuku for making him realise its uniqueness whenever they toured different countries.
the Chalenam Rhythms band contains other members who were also part of the tuku ensemble, hence its impressive experience.