Charles Chipanga has done it again

Ever-smiling Charles Chipanga

GOSPEL musician Charles Chipanga (CC) will today launch his second album, Goodness, at Rainbow City Cinema in Harare supported by his wife Namatayi Mubariki.
The 10-track album launch will be an opportunity for his fans to see the couple’s stage performance. The launch is expected to be graced by gospel artistes from Zimbabwe, South Africa, Malawi and Zambia.
Chipanga wrote all the songs on the album. The Chalenam Rhythm leader did a duet with Charles Charamba on one of the songs NdezvaMwari, featured on the new album.
He used to play marimba for Oliver Mtukudzi while his wife was a backing vocalist and says he will start live performances next year. He speaks to The Financial Gazette (GF) about his journey
(FG) You are one of the most recognised gospel artists in Zimbabwe and have made a name for yourself as well. Looking back if you were to do anything different in your career what would it be?
(CC) Doing something different, I would have married Namatayi when I was 15.(laughs) You know she has helped shaped my career, especially  in music arrangement and composition such that my career is not a struggle anymore in terms of creativity.
(FG) Who inspired you the most to be a musician?
(CC) My inspiration has come from a lot of people on different levels, but I can safely say a lot of West African musicians such as Salif Keita, Lokua Kanza, and Angelina Kidjo have inspired me the most on music arrangement and originality. On song writing I was inspired by Christ himself through David the Psalmist. On stage performance, for me until today Michael Jackson is the best. On integrity and personal relations with Christ, Benjamin Dube and Pastor Charles Charamba inspire me.
(FG) How would you describe your latest album and what can your fans expect?
(CC) Goodness album is a finer effort that is truly defining the sound of Chalenam, it has an ethnic percussive sound and a feel of jazz here and there and a message of God’s goodness and the goodness in us that receives him which is the fruit of the spirit. We have beats that have a pure Zimbabwean sound and even accapella songs so it is a musical cocktail able to satisfy any music connoisseur.
(FG) What is your comment on gospel music, is it growing?

‘I wish I had married Namatayi when I was 15 years,’

(CC) Gospel music is receiving some acres of space in airplay which is a good thing. We have seen a lot of improvement on live shoots and concerts which is a nice thing although we are still to have more variety of the music itself so that diversity becomes key. We have also seen gospel awards coming up and it is a positive improvement in gospel music. Other internet radio have opened 24 hour gospel stations so yes gospel music is growing at a good pace.
(FG) What is your advice to upcoming gospel artists?
(CC) My advice to other gospel musicians is to be themselves, do not imitate anyone. Take time and look for a different sound to everyone who is there, give listeners something to look forward to. Above all be an inspiring song writer. Singing church hymn is good but working on new staff, make the music good enough in production. You should spend a lot of money on clean and world standard production.
(FG) Which foreign and local based musicians have you collaborated with since you released your first album?
(CC) On my first album called ‘Prayer Expose’, I collaborated with Sulumani Chimbetu on a song called ‘Talk to Somebody’ and on this album I did a collaboration with Pastor Charles Charamba on a song called NdezvaMwari.
(FG) How would you describe yourself as a person.

Charles & Namatayi Chipanga – Gore Rangu Video

(CC) (Laughs) I am an ever-laughing guy, easy going, principled and serious with my work.
(FG) What was the major motivation and inspiration behind this new album?
(CC) The major motivation on this album was for people to see the Goodness of God in the midst of the storm. Losing a job is a very unfortunate situation but when you focus on that and do not look at the shelter above your head, the children you have, you will be depressed. Always remember God remains good all the time.

We are to do a lot of live shows in the near future so we are coming closer to your home.

(FG) What do you think should be done to curb piracy, is enough being done?
(CC) Unfortunately there is nothing being done about piracy, nothing at all. It has come, we have only had meetings and conferences about it but musicians cannot take law into their hands. We do not have power to arrest anyone doing so, but tell you what; the law enforcing agents know where piracy is being done and who also is doing it. At times you will be walking in town and find a uniformed policeman making a selection of pirated Cds.
(FG) What can we expect from Charles Chipanga going forward?
(CC) From me expect a lot of different and unique styles of music, inspired messages that will speaks to your inner man, beats that will make your body move. We are to do a lot of live shows in the near future so we are coming closer to your home.