MORE often than not gospel musicians sing about arbitrary subjects they feel people need to talk about. Yet the message in gospel music is most effectively conveyed when the musician immerses themselves in the subject.
It’s one thing to tell people about God and the benefits of a Christian ethic, but it is another to use your life as evidence of how Christian living can be beneficial.
In most cases, gospel musicians almost come across as spiritual disciplinarians who talk of seas of molten lava waiting for those who break the Christian rules. This Old Testament approach usually only hardens people to the subject.
However, when you open your life to people and sing about the things that have happened to you, people might be able to relate.
Sibongile Sibeko is one such singer. Speaking on her latest CD, In His Time, the classically trained singer revealed that she had put her personal journey into the project in an effort to inspire others with authentic content.
“In His Time is basically about patience. It’s that kind of album where you talk about the virtues of patience with God. I am coming from a place where I had to be patient with God to receive what I needed in my life. When I got married we struggled to have a child. It took us 10 years to be blessed with a child and with that I learnt a lot about God’s timing and being patient,” said Sibeko.
The 12-track CD has seven original tracks and five covers that have been cleverly rearranged. Sibeko’s classical training in music gives gospel music a fresh face, so much so that even non-gospel fans might enjoy it.
Sibeko has always loved singing and started at a very early stage in her life: “I grew up singing in church. I started singing at a very young age and my first public performance was at a funeral when I was still in grade school. My teachers continued to nurture me in that direction and soon enough it became obvious that I was going to be doing this for the rest of my life.”
After finishing high school, when her peers were getting married or doing unproductive things, Sibeko pursued her dream by studying further.
“After matric I decided to study opera and on the side I continued singing in churches and other places. Nothing much really came up until I entered the Radio Pulpit Jubilate competition and won it in 2010. This gave me the confidence I needed to pursue music full time,” she said.
A Crown Gospel Award later, Sibeko is an up-and-coming star to look out for on the gospel scene. Her singing abilities are unmatched and she has plans to grow professionally.
“I am planning to shoot a live DVD soon. People are familiar with the music, but they haven’t quite put a face to the voice so shooting something live helps fix that.”
• In His Time is available at music stores nationwide.