Artist Steve ‘Wazisomo’ Muliya has been in the gospel circles for five years now. He is known not only as a gospel artist but also as a TV and radio presenter for gospel music programmes. He has announced a new initiative to the hosting annual events called Live Praise Battle where artists will be sharing the stage, playing strictly praises and worship songs. The first praise battle will be headlined by Muliya and up-and-coming artist Shammah Vocals at Blantyre Cultural Centre on September 9. Our Arts Editor EDITH GONDWE wanted to find out more and engaged Muliya in this interview:
Q
: Tell me the background and motivation behind the Battle of the Praise event that you are organising?
A
: In Chronicles 20 verse 20, the Bible tells us that Jehoshaphat was instructed by God to fight the battle through praise; hence, the name Battle of Praise. It is time for the people to know that some spiritual battles are easily won through praise and worship.
Still in the bible, Paul and Silas in Acts 16, when they were put in prison, they just started praising God and the foundation of the prison got broken and the doors opened through praise. This is what has driven me to come up with such an event.
Q
: Why have you settled for the name Battle of Praise? And what should patrons expect to experience?
A
: When praises go up, His glory comes down; hence, victory is granted from above. The audience will have an opportunity to praise the Lord and experience the real power of praise in their situations. The fact that we have come to the moment of battle of praise, God must backup His word. Also we have the raffle draw where patrons will get away with different prizes. Music lovers should expect the wonderful moment of praise. They should come expectant that God will surely fight their battles as we lift the name of the Lord.
Q
: The main headliners are yourself and Shammar Vocals who is quite new on the music scene. Why have you settled for him?
A
: Young up-and-coming gospel music artists who are gifted have been complaining that they are not being given the platform. But these shows proves them wrong. That is why we are giving Shammah the platform to expose himself.
We need to support those that have the potential in this ministry of gospel music. There is a lot of space in this field. I am urging my fellow established gospel musicians to hold hands to bring change and accommodate new blood in the ministry. I settled for Shammah Vocals because he is hard working and he is showing signs of maturity and will surely make it big in the gospel music circles. I have been helping him since the day I met him and I fell in love with his music. It also took the likes of Lloyd Phiri, Khama Khwiliro and others to help me get established so I must do the same to others.
Q
: Who is Shammah Vocals?
A
: Shamah Vocals, real name Shammar Sitola, is one of the country’s up-and-coming musicians who is slowly becoming a household name. He has one album to his credit but has stormed the gospel music scene with an anointed voice that captivates the gospel audiences. Some of his songs are No Reserve, Daily and Yesu Amakukhala.
Q
: Is this a once off event?
A
: No, this event will be taking place every year. That’s why it’s called Battle of Praise 2018.
I am planning on taking on board international artists in years to come so that it gets bigger and better. n
