Soul singer Kelly Khumalo is gearing to stage her first-ever gospel concert, dubbed the Gospel Explosion.
Kelly, who repeatedly stated during her interview with Sowetan that she is not a gospel singer, said that being able to finally host such a concert was not only a dream come true but a full circle moment for her. She said this moment was important for her, especially since her launch into the industry happened right after entering SABC1’s then gospel competition Crux Gospel Star alongside her sister Zandile Khumalo.
Although the pair did not take home the grand prize, a 12-month recording contract from CCP Records, that loss did not stop the Khumalo sisters' stars from shining, with Kelly releasing chart-topping hits including Esiphambanweni that features veteran gospel singer Dr Hlengiwe Mhlaba.
“For me to be able to now stage such a show is truly a significant moment in my career. To do exactly what discovered me and be able to bring along my fans and friends on this journey is something that every artist looks forward to doing.
“The release of Esiphambanweni has landed me in hot water because people had expectations of me migrating fully onto the gospel space. But the truth is that I am not a gospel artist. I don’t need to be one to sing gospel,” she said emphatically.
Kelly describes herself as a soul singer who grew up in church, “and has a very strong foundation in Christ. That is the part of me that I want to share with the people.”
The star, who has never shied away from expressing her spiritual side, will be performing alongside her friends such as Mhlaba, Ayanda Ntanzi and Takie Ndou, who she said became a choice for the show because of his Babe Ngisite/Ngiyabonga song release. She said the song touched her so deeply and has ultimately changed her outlook on life.
“And then we will have Bonsai Shongwe as the MC and the motivator of the night. He is very significant to the night because he is the guy who discovered and signed me after Crux Gospel Star. So, this is really an amazing time for me,” she said excitedly.
The two-night only concert will be staged in April at Gold Reef City’s Lyric Theatre, where she said she will take other gospel lovers on her spiritual journey from where it started — as far back as her days at the Zion Church where she used to play the drum.
“I will incorporate all these elements and songs that have raised me. Right before the first lockdown I had planned to do a show called I Look To You at the Soweto Theatre but had to unfortunately cancel. But now feels like the right time to bring that show to life,” said Kelly.
“I am never shy to expose who I am to the world because I can’t run away from who I am. I am a mother who needs to teach her own children the importance of embracing who you are fully. They need to take pride in who they are and where they come from. I need to lead by example,” she said.
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