After having been in and out of the courts last year, gospel diva Ivy Kombo Kasi says she is going to release a single track in few months' time.
Standard Style reporter Jairos Saunyama (JS) caught up with the renowned musician (IK) where she poured her heart out on the next music projects.
Below are excerpts from the interview.
JS: It is the year 2025, as a musician what do you have in store for us after having been in and out of the courts?
IK: 2025 is a good year. I have been in the studios getting ready to do something for my fans and followers who have been faithfully supportive for almost a lifetime.
There is good music which will push boundaries back and help open new horizons. Look out for a single track in March.
JS: What is the title of the track?
IK: It is a unique gospel offering, a fusion beat. It is the typical Ivy Kombo-Kasi style that embraces all, regardless of denomination, age, class or gender. I will soon anounce the name of the track.
- Kombo-Kasi speaks on 2025 gospel music journey
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What is certain is that the beat and lyrics are anointed to save, heal, forgive, encourage and uplift souls. You will find that there is a route to success for a person, but it needs to be announced by an anointed Word of God via the chosen voice at any given time. Isaiah 30:21 declares that you shall hear a voice behind you, telling you, which way to take in every turn of every endeavour.
JS: When did you last release an album and why the sabbatical?
IK: Latest albums include Like Zion (2019) with songs like Ndiyaniko Anorwadziwa, I Know Who You Are, War Song, Handichatya, Ndadiiti Ndezvevamwe, Hazvinei Zvakamboramba and so on.
The December 2021 album had songs like Hash Tag Takazvupihwa, Covid Chii?, Herudhe, Ebenezer. So you can see it's still like yesterday that I last released an album.
The song Covid Chii? addressed the Covid-19 challenges lyrically and rhythmically.
It is the album Like Mount Zion that won Female Artist of The Year award and the later one got me The Female Gospel Artist of the Year award, ZimBrits Award 2022 and 2023 respectively.
Ndaiti Ndezvevamwe was a collabo with renowned high profile gospel artiste Tatenda Mahachi.
It is a hope-awakening song that highlights our usual tendencies of thinking that it's others who can succeed not us.
JS: So when do we expect another album, or you are no longer into albums?
IK: The approach is that singles must build an album on a listen-as-we-build basis. This is an approach that gives each single a short time on the ground without inflicting self competition on one's work by simply dumping a dozen singles one time as an album, prompting fans and the media to choose the one to run with since they cannot do all at once.
That is why only one song used to succeed per album if you look on past work by prominent artistes.
International artists, all of them, whether, its Beyonce, Rihanna, Chris Brown or Ivy Kombo-Kasi, drop their singles sparingly and when all are done they are then branded into an album after each single has effectively competed fairly on the billboard.
The result is that when they perform on their shows, fans can sing along with them knowing all the lyrics.
JS: What about live shows in Zimbabwe, do you think gospel music is still drawing large crowds?
IK: Gospel music continues to grow. It currently draws huge crowds per single artist, actually filling huge venues.
The breed and crop of the current gospel singers is largely developed and successful.
JS: Do you have any zeal to revive the Nguva Yakwana gospel concert?
IK: Nguva Yakwana does not need reviving. It is everyone's demand and we will simply oblige soon when the time is ripe seeing we have been busy on other platforms and fronts like education and professional development in different areas.
Resultantly, our professions were shifted from music only to Music Plus. You can see what Rihanna does. She delves into other interests and that delayed her launching another album. Probably we were caught up in a similar scenario.
JS: What is your message to your fans and followers this year? As Ivy Kombo-Kasi what is your message to the people ?
IK: The message remains, Nyengetera uwone simba remunamato. Be who you are called to be. Cease the wanton competition and God will work with you in your unique calling. Don't fight unnecessary battles. You are only one human and can not please all humans.
That effort will wear you down and fast track you to old age. Try not to think you can answer all questions. Even doctors are still researching. Silence is golden.
Nomatter how much you may try to change the narrative, it is a futile effort, just continue to improve yourself for you and it pays.
Not all battles deserve your fight. Choose your battles well. Never put effort in pleasing all people. it's a settled adage that no one can please everyone.
Even God does not please everybody. He has to remain God regardless of criticism and complaints, and yet there are many who understand Him and, hence they are His.
