VERY few up-and-coming artists believe that they have to work hard to make their brand known. Like one seasoned actor said to us last week, most of the young people who enter the entertainment industry believe in the concept of “microwave careers” where they attempt something today and expect instant superstardom.
What they forget is that this makes it difficult for their brand to last and explains why they are here today and gone tomorrow.
On the other hand, there are those artists who take their time to smell the flowers and see the forest in spite of the trees. They learn the ins and outs of the industry and make the right contacts and, when the time is right, they strike.
Vuyisiwe Peteni (pictured) is one of these artists. Although he started singing in a choir in 1990, he only recently released his first gospel CD. Titled O Mamele Thapelo, Peteni shares on the album many beliefs that he holds dear to his heart.
“I realised that people concentrate on solving problems instead of letting God help them. On this album I am simply telling people of the advantages of saying prayer and letting God take over,” said Peteni.
The 12-track offering prepares his listeners for all the challenges that might occur in their lives.
“I have always felt that when life gives you hardship, it is an opportunity for you to trust in God. So many of us have lost people whom we were really close to and it feels like the end of the world. This is when we should pray and let God help us through that pain. So on this album I am advocating that people have faith in God, especially in times when they are at their weakest,” explained the singer.
The fact that he persisted in the industry and only recorded his album after a long time is testament to what he preaches through his music.
“I recorded my album with the hope that one day it would make it. I had no money whatsoever and now, when I hear it on the radio, I can’t believe it. I can only explain it as the rewards of faith that got me this far,” he said.
Part of the delay in his journey was that he met people in the industry who gave him the wrong advice.
“I had a lot of discouraging people in my life and they sent me in the wrong direction. I thank God for my partner and friend, TK Ntsepe, who came through for me with the right attitude, and we worked on this album. He really came with the right attitude,” said Peteni.
To promote O Mamele Thapelo, Peteni has travelled the country to perform and, from what he says, people really love the album.
“I have had shows with established guys like Sifiso Ncwane and Tebogo Moloi and the fans enjoyed our shows. I have music playing on One Gospel and Mzansi Music channel. I was also a featured artist on Sunrise not so long ago,” he said.
• O Mamele Thapelo is available nationwide.