Multi-award winning South African Gospel Duo/Band Joyous Celebration offers visuals for “Umlondolozi”, The 8th Track off their latest project dubbed Joyous Celebration 26:Joy.

“Umlondolozi” is an amazing upbeat track sauced with all shades of melodies depicting the goodness of God.

Watch “Umlondolozi” Video & Download Mp3 Below

LYRICS

Umlondoloz’ owafik’ evela phezulu
Owafihl’ umhlab’ exhebeni waqob’ ithuna
Umlondoloz’ owafik’ evela phezulu
Owafihl’ umhlab’ exhebeni
Waqob” ithuna

Umlondoloz’ owafik’ evela phezulu
Owafihl’ umhlab’ exhebeni waqob’ ithuna
Umlondoloz’ owafik’ evela phezulu
Owafihl’ umhlab’ exhebeni
Waqob’ ithuna

Unemicabango emihle ngami
Unemicabango ooo
Eyokungiphumelelisa
Wazinalez’ inwele zakho
Izwi lakhe lingephikiswe
Ayi wafela mina nawe
Emqamulezweni
Unemicabango

Yazi mihle ngami
Unemicabango ooo
Yokungiphumelelisa
Wazi nalezinwele zakho
Izwi lakhe lingephikiswa
Wafela mina nawe
Emqamulezweni
Wafa wavuka
(Wafa wavuka)

(Wafa wavuka)
Yen’ baba ngenxa yethu
(Kwakumel’ icebo lakhe)
Ukuz’ icebo lakhe ngath’ lifezekiswe
(Ohhh wafa wavuka)

Wafa wavuka(wafa wavuka)
Yen’ ubaba ngenxa yethu
Icebo lakhe malenzeke
Kuze icebo lakhe ngathi lifezekiswe
Umlondoloz’ owafik’ evela phezulu(ohhh)
(Wafik’ ezofel’ izono zabantu)
Owafihl’ umhlaba waqob’ ithuna
(Ohh umlondolozi)

Umlondoloz’ owafik’ evela phezulu(ohhh)
(Wafik’ ezofel’ izono zabantu)
Owafihl’ umhlaba waqob’ ithuna
Umlondoloz’ owafik’ evela phezulu(ohhh)
(Owazi nalez’ inwele zakho)
Owafihl’ umhlaba waqob’ ithuna
(Ohh umlondolozi)

Umlondoloz’ owafik’ evela phezulu(ohhh)
(Wafik’ ezofel’ izono zabantu)
Owafihl’ umhlaba waqob’ ithuna
Wafa wavuk’ yen’ ubaba ngenxa yethu
(Eyi mekumele icebo lakhe)
Ukuze icebo lakhe ngathi lifezekiswe
(Oh Wafa wavuka)

Wafa wavuk’ yen’ ubaba ngenxa yethu
(Oh kwukumele icebo lakhe)
Ukuze icebo lakhe ngath ‘ lifezekiswe
Wafa wavuk’ yen’ ubaba ngenxa yethu
(Ohhhh wemama)

Ukuze icebo lakhe ngathi lifezekiswe
(Oh Wafa endaweni yami)
Wafa wavuk’ yen’ ubaba ngenxa yethu
(Ukuz’ icebo lakhe)
Ukuze icebo lakhe ngathi lifezekiswe
Ukuze icebo lakhe
(Ukuze icebo lakhe ngath’ lifezekiswe)

Ahhh lofezeka lofezeka
(Ukuze icebo lakhe ngath’ lifezekiswe)
Ahh yi fezeka ayi fezeka icebo lakhe
(Ukuze icebo lakhe ngath’ lifezekiswe
Hhey ukuze icebo cebo
(Ukuze icebo lakhe ngath’ lifezekiswe)

When the “new-normal” started the world had to adapt. So did legendary Motown gospel group MTN Joyous Celebration. Following the release of Joyous Celebration 25 Still We Rise, the group adapted to the “new-normal” embracing the virtual world with the launch of Joyous TV.

On Friday, 17 February 2022, Joyous announced the title of their upcoming new live recorded album, Joyous Celebration 26: Joy. The announcement came following the virtual auditions which saw over 800 people enter the competition to stand a chance to join the family which has given rise to stars including Ntokozo Mbambo, HLE and Sbu Noah.

Not only did the announcement of Joyous Celebration 26: Joy mark the official countdown to their annual Easter celebration which is synonymous with the power house,. But it confirmed that we will see the Gospel African Giants return to live recording their albums in front of an audience, 

On Saturday, 5 March 2022, Joyous Celebration is set to record Joy in front of a live audience filled with alumni, friends, family and the core of the choir’s success: the superfans.

About MTN Joyous Celebration

MTN Joyous Celebration occupies an exalted place in the South African music scene. Founded in 1996 by Lindelani Mkhize, Jabu Hlongwane and Mthunzi Namba it has enjoyed multiplatinum sales of their CDs and DVDs and picked up countless trophies of the major music awards in South Africa including the SA Music Awards (SAMA), MetroFM Music Awards and Crown Gospel Music Awards.

The MTN Joyous Celebration live concerts are a popular fixture on gospel music lovers calendars and they attract followers from across the continent of Africa and the world. The ensemble is also known as a cradle for young aspiring gospel musicians who are provided a stage to dazzle and be noticed and then venture off on their own, this is a tradition dating back 25 years. Joyous is sponsored by MTN, Africa’s premium telecommunications network provider.

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About Motown Gospel

Motown Gospel is one of the most prominent gospel music companies in the world, boasting over two decades of chart-topping and award-winning artists, albums, and songs. A division of Capitol CMG/Universal Music Group, the world’s leading Christian music company and market leader in recorded music, distribution, and music publishing, Motown Gospel’s artist roster has included Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Smokie Norful, Tye Tribbett, Brian Courtney Wilson, Kierra Sheard, The Clark Sisters and more.

Africa’s leading choral group, Celebration has released the “Thank You Lord” live performance. The single marks the African giants venturing into introducing themselves to the world following their singing to Universal Music Africa backed by the iconic US based record company, Motown Gospel.

On Thursday, 18 March 2021, the choral group had announced the monumental signing which coincided with the silver jubilee release of their 25th album, Still We Rise. “Thank You Lord” is a cut from the album which came out of the choral group adapting to the new normal.

Co-founder and original conductor, Lindelani Mkhize at the time of the announcement shared that, “After all the experiences of the past 25 years and the changes in the world and new dynamics in the industry, we are delighted to be in this new direction with a fresh new purpose. We are revived, we have a new energy as we turn things around to get to the next extraordinary level.”

“Thank You Lord” marks the first single which the choral group will have sampled by countries like the United States and Canada, as Joyous Celebration makes their international strides.

Watch Video Below;

 Joyous Celebration brings a message of hope and positivity with their milestone 25th album released today.

This is the first album from the revered gospel ensemble under Universal Music Africa and with a distribution deal with Motown Gospel in the US. It is released in time for Easter celebrations and with the dark shadow of the Coronavirus pandemic that continues to ravage families and leave people destitute hanging heavily.

Even in dire circumstances like this, MTN Joyous Celebration has not lost its fire, if anything, the recording proves that their music remains a dependable balm that goes a long way to soothe troubled souls. Still We Rise speaks to the indomitable human spirit and its resilience in the face of adversity.

The recording was conducted without choir master Lindelani Mkhize on stage due to ill health, but he still led from behind the scenes ensuring that the performance remains spirited and uplifting.

The 16 track Still We Rise is led by singles Ndezel Uncedo and The Victory Song that set the tone for a rapturous experience.

Ndenzel Uncedo led by Esethu Mngxuma is taken from the Methodist church Xhosa hymnbook. The rousing traditional hymn is delivered with impeccable rhythm and gusto. It is about finding refuge in God at a time of difficulty, pain and loss.

It is sung by believers who recognize that they cannot get through life on their own, it is only with the grace of God that they can survive troubles. The song resonates with the challenges of today. Ndenzel Uncedo has already garnered over 180 000 views on YouTube in less than a week.

Packed with high energy from the first note, The Victory Song is a manifestation of God’s unfailing love. Led by the consummate performer and singer Bonginkosi Mthombeni, the track boasts generous doses of spunk and groove.

The swashbuckling dance routine by Bonginkosi is a throwback to the heady days of Michael Jackson and James Brown’s nifty footwork. The Victory Song is not only apt as acknowledgement of how far the ensemble has come, but sets the tone for the future.

The energy is kept up on tracks like Sebenza Ngami, Ka Mehla, Elakho Liphezulu, Ngiyanikela and Grace and Mercy.

Pastor Jabu Hlongwane returns to the stage with Sofana Naye while Pastor Mthunzi Namba delivers a powerful testament of unshaken faith with In Christ We Stand.

Some of the new faces that inject a new energy to the band are Thobeka Ramaloko who shines on the keyboard fuelled Bonginkosi Ngazo and Nwabisa Meth is a class act in Camagu Ngonyama rooted in Xhosa rhythms tinged with jazz. Kholiswa Ganca dazzles in the exuberant Cela, while Bongiwe Madela dazzles in Jesus is Lord Medley and Nozipho Phiri is infectious on Thank You Lord.

Still We Rise boasts the musicality and dexterity that MTN Joyous Celebration has been known for. It doesn’t shy away from African influences that are masterfully fused with modern sensibilities.

Enthuses Mkhize: ‘We are proud to present this album marking 25 years of MTN Joyous Celebration. We have a new recording home at Universal Music, we have been injected with a new energy and we are enthusiastic about the future. This album has everything for everybody, it will leave all our supporters and fans sated with the holy spirit delivered in song, praise and worship. Even when I wasn’t on stage to conduct the choir due to ill health, everything came together so perfectly and the excellence we are known for remains unmatched.’

Still We Rise was recorded under strict Covid-19 lockdown protocols at Joburg Theatre without a live audience.

MTN Joyous Celebration 25 premier show takes place on Friday, 2 April 2021 at Joburg Theatre with a limited audience and observing Covid-19 lockdown protocols. Tickets will go for sale on Webtickets soon.

Watch Joyous Celebration “The Victory Song” (Official Music Video);