Gospel just like any other genre has evolved over the years. Gone are the days when gospel music was only remembered has soft melodies with mild or no instruments at all. The new era gospel musicians have diversified gospel music and it now falls into many of the well-known music genres across the globe. A young man who goes by the name Testify, real name Moarabi Benni Mushimehi a.k.a DC, has released a six-track album, titled Testimony Chapter-1. Testify, who describes himself as a contemporary gospel musician, will most definitely appeal to the youth, and gospel lovers of all ages, as his album has a touch of Hip-hop and a somewhat kwaito mix. First look at Testify, one can immediately tell the young man is passionate about hip-hop, and because of the stereotypes most associated with the genre, one would never guess that he is a born again Christian, and that his debut album, is a gospel album. Not only did he choose to use his passion for hip-hop to spread the word of God, his style of dressing is fashionably hip-hop/rap. Some might wonder why someone would choose a stage name like Testify, but the name was chosen deliberately. Testify explained to Showbiz, that his stage name just goes to show that his album is a testimony of his life of serving the Lord Almighty and what he has done for him and how he has changed him. The 19-year-old, who hails from Lotlhakane East around the Kanye area, however is not new to music nor is he new to leading a Christian life. Testify related to Showbiz that he grew up playing the keyboard, at the same time being a serious churchgoer, and also participated in school Christian activities. He attributed his success in recording an album to a number of circumstances, one of them being the time he was elected chairperson for the Seepapitso Senior Secondary School Scripture Union. He explained that during Scripture Union camps he met with many gospel singers who gave him some inspiration, but admitted that at the time he did not see himself recording an album. Testify related to Showbiz that he had a conflict, explaining that as someone who appreciated the hip-hop style, he had concern about the stereotypes that were associated with the genre, and what it would mean for him as a God loving Christian. "I approached one of my pastors about the issue, and he told me that it is not in the way I dress," he said. He explained that the pastor told him that as long he serves the Lord, he does not need to worry about the clothes he feels most comfortable in. While he started living a Christian life from his early ages, Testify confessed that he did run into temptations and succumbed, but the Lord Almighty led him up the right path once again, making a commitment to serve the Lord in every possible way. Using one of the most 'stereotyped' music genres, to praise, worship, and spread the word of God, Testify acknowledged that he does know that hip-hop is most often associated with vulgar language. He said while surfing the net he came across a hip-hop gospel group and that inspired him to mould his album along the lines of the genre he is most passionate about, relating that it is not all hip-hop singers, who go for vulgar lyrics. He said he often hears local hip-hop musicians complaining that their music is not selling, pointing out that this might be due to the fact that most of them just import the music as it is from Western countries without trying to adapt it to their very own culture. He told Showbiz that his target market is not only born again Christians, as he is always targeting those who do not know much about the word of God, with the hope of encouraging them to know God, and live a Godly life. The album looks like it will keep music lovers on their toes, as all the tunes in the album are danceable, while at the same worshiping and praising God. For a first album, the album is extremely good, and for that Testify gives appreciation to World of Music, where the album was recorded. The same World of Music is the marketer and distributor of the album. In his album Testify is backed by his younger sister, Kahundu Mushimehi, and Eternal Gospel Group. Songs in the album include "Motsotsonyana", which is credited as the hit track, 'We Are Born Again", "Lord I Lift Your Name on High, Testimony, Ga Gona, a bonus track which is a Kwaito Mix, and "Jesu Morena" Official release date for the album is May 29. Enjoy the music video and do not hesitate to paste your comments, thank you and God bless you all.

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