The Sunday News
Bhekumuzi Ncube, Sunday Life Reporter
UNLIKE students who waste time hanging around with friends or sleeping all day, a Lupane State University student Charisma Khumalo has stayed true to his principles by creatively using his free time to record his debut gospel album titled Eyes of your Heart.
Determined to make his first ever extended play a scintillating venture, Charisma went all the way to Jazzworx Studios in South Africa to record all the EP songs. The studio is one of the leading record studios which has recorded songs for the likes of Lira, HHP, ProVerb, Malaika, Mandoza, Zuluboy and Teargas. An extended play record, often referred to as an EP, is a musical recording that contains more tracks than a single, but is usually unqualified as an album or long play.
Well, Charisma’s perseverance paid off as the studio did nothing but excellent work in all the four tracks namely Eyes of your heart, Umvuzo, Prodical son and Eyes of your heart (Accapela)
With competition intensifying in the gospel industry, Charisma said he was only focused on giving his best in the industry.
“It’s a wonderful thing that Bulawayo has raised the bar in appreciating gospel music. I’m aware that there is plenty of talent in the industry. However, this doesn’t bother me since my main objective is to please fans and God. My songs appeal to everyone and I hope Zimbabweans will appreciate my music so I can grow as an artiste,” he said.
His EP is a fusion of Acapella and Neo Soul genres with an influence of Jazz that can be heard from the soft piano keys in some of the songs. Charisma said his love with music goes way back; from his childhood days to his time at university.
“Singing has always been a passion for me and whenever I sing, people have always appreciated my voice. At school and church, I used to sing with the choir. I have been involved in many music projects and since I became a Geography student people have always said it was a rare scenario that a Geo student was such a talented singer,” he said.
Charisma who uses his first name as a stage name is a third year student from LSU doing Geography and Population Studies. He is doing industrial attachment at Gwanda Municipality. -@NcubeBhekumuzi
