The ManicaPost
Anesu Kurebwaseka Entertainment Reporter
MUTARE has given birth to a new gospel musician, Tatenda Mkokota, a student at Chinhoyi University of Technology, who recently released her ground-breaking album titled Thank You.
The album contains soul tracks that are well-crafted in R’n’B and Hip Hop genre. In an interview, she revealed that she was inspired by international gospel greats such as Kirk Franklin, Bebe and Cece Winans and Yolanda Adams.
“I decided to explore my talent and give myself a chance to shine. I know I have a perfect voice but all I needed was self-motivation to break into mainstream gospel industry. I believe I have started off on a high note and I hope to believe that I will make it if I keep moving on,” she said. She added that she named the album, Thank You, since she was thanking God for seeing her through trials and tribulations.
“I am thanking God for all what he has done for me. It is only God who nurtured my talent in singing up to this moment where I am celebrating releasing an album. It is a dream come true and I am really grateful,” added Mkokota.
“These artistes (Kirk Franklin, Bebe and Cece Winans and Yolanda Adams) have given me that inner strength to promote RnB gospel music which is not popular in Zimbabwe. I intend to preach through music. I chose Hip Hop and RnB so that I would also woo the young audience who are well-accustomed with the genres.
Mkokota, who is currently studying Multimedia Design, says she tries her best to balance between music and school.
“It is hard to kill two birds with one stone. It’s not always easy to balance the two but I always make sure that whenever I get some free time, I do music,” she said.
