Joyous Celebration

Last updated
Joyous Celebration
OriginSouth Africa
Genres Contemporary gospel, Urban gospel, Gospel
Years active1994–present
Labels
  • Sony (former)
  • Universal/Motown(former)
  • Joyous Records
Past members Ntokozo Mbambo, Mahalia Buchanan, Hle, Swazi Dlamini, Nqubeko Mbatha,Khaya Mthethwa, Phelo Bala, Uche Agu, Mkhululi Bhebhe

Joyous Celebration is a South African gospel group formed by Mthunzi Namba, Jabu Hlongwane and Lindelani Mkhize in 1994. [1]

Contents

Their debut studio album Joyous Celebration, Vol. 9 (2005), became their best-selling album and certified 2 × platinum in South Africa. [2] Joyous Celebration's accolades includes: 15 South African Music Awards, 2 Metro FM Music Awards, 2 One Gospel Awards, 2 Crown Gospel Awards and, 1 Africa Gospel Music Award. [3]

History

In the early 1990s, Lindelani Mkhize, Mthunzi Namba and Jabu Hlongwane met each other at a concert in Durban, South Africa and became close friends. [4] [5] They formed a group called "Family Factory" with different singers. [6] Family Factory often sang background vocals for many local and international artists that were touring South Africa. [7]

In their interviews, the former members and founders of the group have shared how they (on one evening) performed at an empty venue in Cape Town with only few people attending their show and the record label, Sony Music Africa(which funded the group), withdrew their support for the group as they viewed the concept of Family Factory as a "waste of time", but they still continued to perform until more people attended their show on the next evening. [8] During this era when traditional gospel music was huge thing in South Africa, Family Factory introduced a contemporary sound that was more Western with more English songs. [9]

During the early 1990s and mid-1990s, there were high tensions in South Africa due to political violence that plagued many communities and due to these turbulent times, many people feared that there would be chaos in South Africa. [10] Luckily, South Africa managed gain independence in a peaceful way. As a result, Family Factory wanted to host an event and a recorded project where they would thank God for the country's peaceful transition to democracy and celebrate God's grace and miracle for the freedom that South Africa had finally received. [11] Because they were celebrating joyously, they named that project and event "Joyous Celebration". [12]

In 1997, they released their first album titled "Joyous Celebration". Unlike other Joyous Celebration albums, the first album does not have a number on it because it was meant to be a once-off project but fans were interested in this project and wanted more music [13] .The leaders decided to carry on recording albums each year and the group grew into being one of the most influential in the South African gospel scene. [14]

Although Joyous Celebration looks for uncapped talent to present it to the world, they have also featured well-established artists such as Vuyo Mokoena and Sipho Makhabane. The group caught the attention from the rest of the African continent when they started featuring international former members such as Uche Agu from Nigeria (who sang a popular song "My God is Good") and Mkhululi Bhebhe from Zimbabwe (who sang a popular song "Tambira Jehova"). [15] [16]

In early April 2011, they announced My Gift to You Tour with six dates, commenced on 21 April at the State Theatre in Tshwane and concluded in Bloemfontein in August 2011. [17]

Their studio album Joyous Celebration, Vol. 19: Back to the Cross was released on 2 March 2015. The album peaked at No. 1 on Official SA Album Charts for two consecutive weeks. [18] It was certified platinum in South Africa with sales of over 51,271 copies. [2] In addition Joyous Celebration Vol. 19: Back to the Cross won Best Selling DVD at the 22nd ceremony of South African Music Awards. [19]

They embarked on Joyous 22 All for You Tour in 2018, tour included five dates. [20] It commenced on 29 June in Banquet Hall in Middleburg, Mpumalanga, and concluded 20 October in Times Square Arena in Tshwane, Gauteng. [20]

In March 2021, the group signed a recording deal with Universal Music and Motown Gospel in the United States. [21]

Joyous Celebration 25: Still We Rise was released on 26 March 2021. [22] It was supported by two singles: "Ndezel' Uncedo" and "The Victory".

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums

Compilation Albums

Achievements

South African Music Awards

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
2002Joyous Celebration 5Best Contemporary Gospel AlbumWon [23]
2003Joyous Celebration 6Won
2004Joyous Celebration 7Won
2005Joyous Celebration 8Won
2008Joyous Celebration 11Best Traditional/African Adult Contemporary DVDWon
2009Joyous Celebration 12Best African Contemporary Gospel AlbumWon
2013Joyous Celebration 16Best Selling DVDWon
2014Joyous Celebration 17Won
2015Joyous Celebration 18Won
2018Joyous CelebrationCapasso Best Selling Digital Download Composer's AwardWon [24]
Best Selling Digital Artist of the YearWon
Joyous Celebration Volume 21: Heal Our LandBest Selling DVD of the YearWon
Best Selling Album of the YearWon
2019Joyous Celebration 22 All for YouBest Selling DVDWon [25]
Joyous Celebration - "Umoya kulendawo"Best Selling ArtistWon

Metro FM Music Awards

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
2000Best Gospel AlbumWon
2001Won

Crown Gospel Awards

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
2008Joyous CelebrationBest Gospel GroupWon
2009Joyous Celebration 12Best Gospel GroupWon [26]
Best DVDNominated
Best Praise And WorshipNominated

One Gospel Awards

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
2007Gopel Choir Of The YearWon
2008Won

Africa Gospel Music Awards

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
2013Best Gospel Event Of The YearWon

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References

  1. ↑ Marshall, Rhodé (21 October 2018). "The journey of Joyous Celebration" . South Africa: City Press. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  2. 1 2 "Joyous Celebration album sales". Best Selling Albums. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  3. ↑ Marshall, Rhodé (21 October 2018). "7 Joyous Celebration facts you might not know" . South Africa: City Press. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  4. ↑ "Joyous Celebration About, Biography, Founder, Members, Songs, Albums, Networth". May 2023.
  5. ↑ "The journey of Joyous Celebration".
  6. ↑ "Elevate with Pastor Mthunzi Namba". YouTube . 4 September 2023.
  7. ↑ "Jabu Hlongwane | Life Story | Joyous Celebration | Live shows | Gospel | Youth | Music | God". YouTube . 16 November 2022.
  8. ↑ "Episode 35 | Vicky Vilakazi, Gospel Music Industry, Joyous Celebration & Soweto Gospel Choir". YouTube . 3 January 2024.
  9. ↑ "Elevate with Pastor Mthunzi Namba". YouTube . 4 September 2023.
  10. ↑ https://www.csvr.org.za/wp-content/uploads/1992/02/Political-Violence.pdf
  11. ↑ ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tj6Gvl51lvE
  12. ↑ "Joyous Celebration - South African Gospel Music Group - Pianity".
  13. ↑ "7 Joyous Celebration facts you might not know".
  14. ↑ "7 Joyous Celebration facts you might not know".
  15. ↑ "Uche AGU Biography | gospel singer". 10 August 2016.
  16. ↑ "Mkhululi Bhebhe". 10 November 2015.
  17. ↑ "Joyous Celebration in their 15th year". Times LIVE. 6 April 2011. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  18. ↑ "Joyous Celebration 19 debuts at number 1 on iTunes SA". SowetanLIVE. 6 March 2015. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  19. ↑ "Here are all the 2016 Sama winners" . South Africa: News24. 4 Jun 2016. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  20. 1 2 "Joyous Celebration kicks off 'Joyous 22' tour". Independent Online. 2024-05-16. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  21. ↑ Bambalele, Patience (19 March 2021). "Joyous Celebration joins Universal Music Africa". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  22. ↑ Masango, Nomvelo (12 April 2021). "Joyous Celebration still hitting the high notes after 25 years". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  23. ↑ "Sama 8: 2002". South African Music Awards. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  24. ↑ "Joyous Celebration win big at SAMAS". Daily Voice. 2018-06-04. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  25. ↑ Tjiya, Emmanuel (1 June 2019). "Joyous Celebration steals the night". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  26. ↑ "SABC Crown Gospel Music Awards". TVSA. 5 December 2009. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
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