After her disappearance from music circles for eight years, Selinah Musobi is back with a bang as she introduces her third album.
Her new single, Rothe riafana, was released a month ago, while her previous album, Nditshifhinga, also still does well in the industry.
Musobi, who hails from Madombidzha in the western parts of Louis Trichardt, says it has been a long and winding road for her to get where she is today. "I fell in love with music at a very young age. Gospel music was always in my bones and I was obliged to do something to keep praising God," she says.
She started her music career at the Tshilidzini Special School when she was 12 years old. She grew up listening to famous musicians such as Rebecca Malope and Sechaba, and says she drew inspiration from them.
"Recording the album was not easy. Despite having plenty of songs readily available, I had to fund the project myself. In order to enhance my writing and composition skills, I took piano lessons. Israel Mosehla was my role model and I fell in love with gospel music because of his encouragement."
She says that, though the album is self-marketed, it has sold many copies since its release and has been receiving a lot of airplay from different radio stations around the country. She is gaining great popularity among gospel music lovers because of her unique style, which consists of heavy bass sounds, some chopping sounds and occasional well-positioned brass. She sings about personal experiences and what she sees happening in her vicinity.
"I also give advice here and there through my music, and by the look of things, I will continue singing this type of music, as it is proving very popular," she says.
Musobi is also actively promoting her own music to people. Packed with nine gospel songs, the new album is selling well. Some of the songs, she feels, have the potential of making the album a hit, such as Yehova nthangephanda, Ritshirenda yeso and the title track, Rothe riafana.
The album will soon be available at local music outlets.