Simply Chrysolite

Simply Chrysolite
Origin KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Genres Gospel, jazz
Years active 2009–present
Website simplychrysolite.co.za
Members Thabzo Mkhwanazi, Phumzile Ngcobo, Dolce Bophela, Thabisozo Mkhize, Pretty Nguse and Mabongi Shinga.

Simply Chrysolite is a female gospel choral group from South Africa whose music is influenced by Jazz, R&B, and the native South African sound. They have won multiple awards, including a BEFFTA award.[1] They were formed by Tim Omotoso in 2009 and have grown to become one of Africa's most popular gospel bands. Grammy-winning gospel musician Kirk Franklin has described them as "fresh, dope and crazy" and said that he "was totally amazed by their voices and harmony."[2] In December 2012, their video was featured on the Rolling Stone website.

Background and rise to fame

Simply Chrysolite is made up of five young ladies from KwaZulu-Natal province – Thab'zo Mkhwanazi (24), Phumzile Ngcobo (26), Dolce Bophela (27), Thabiso Mkhize (27), Pretty Nguse (22) and Mabongi Shinga (28). Mabongi Shinga, left the group early in 2013.

They were named Simply Chrysolite by popular preacher Tim Omotoso after being discovered in 2009 at one of the annual auditions he holds in Durban every year to help empower youths and nurtured by Tim Omotoso Global Outreach.[3] Omotoso, the senior pastor at Jesus Dominion International, executive produces the group's albums. As at the time of formation of the band, they had no training or experience, just talent.[4]

Describing the group's sound as a 'banquet of music', Thabzo says because it comprises different people, their songs reflect varied tastes.[5]

Their first burst to the limelight came in 2010 (after few months of kickstarting the group), when they won the Best Engineered Album at South African's Crown Gospel Music Awards. Simply Chrysolite was then nominated in the Best R&B Gospel category at the 2011 South African Music Awards. The group then won the Best Video of the year for one of their hit songs, 'Lord I Love You', at the Gospel Music Awards, Italy 2012.

They shocked the entertainment world when in September 2011 they won the Best International Act at the Black Entertainment Film Fashion Television and Arts Awards[4][6] held in London by beating four-time Grammy award winner Kelly Rowland, Nigerian superstar and multiple award-winning Wizkid, BET Music Awards winners 2Face and D'banj, and a number of other world-class nominees.

A couple of weeks afterwards, they won two gongs at the 2011 Gospel Music Awards, Ireland, winning the Best International Song of the year ("Ihubelisha") and the Best International Album of the year with their self-titled album.

Since these achievements, the band has received extensive coverage in media platforms throughout Africa, Europe, the Caribbean and the United States. On 17 July 2011, they were voted as one of Viewers Top 5 choices on SABC 1's Gospel Gold amongst many other TV and radio programs, and their four music videos have racked up a half of a million views on YouTube since their release.

Simply Chrysolite added their 7th song in 48 months (after being formed) on 17 November 2013 at the SABC Crown Gospel Music Awards televised live throughout Africa on SABC 2 by beating seasoned groups: Soweto Gospel Choir, Tshwane Gospel Choir & Worship House, in the Best Gospel group category.[7][8][9][10]

Praise

Ringing endorsements have come from every quarter, from Clive Jones and BBC Focus on Africa to Kirk Franklin, who described them as "fresh, crazy and dope"[11] after sharing the stage with them at the 2012 Fun in the Son, Kingston, an event that marked Jamaica's 50th independence anniversary.

The South African Sowetan newspaper described their voices as "angelic", and Jamaican radio show host Dennis Isis Miller said she developed goose bumps all over her body from their singing, describing their music as soul-lifting and inspiration.

Influences and comparisons

They have often been called "the Spice Girls of the gospel world".[12]

Tours

The group has over the past two years performed in various arenas throughout South Africa and beyond, including Nigeria, Israel[13] and even to a crowd of over 100,000 people in Kingston, Jamaica.[2][11][14]

Simply Chrysolite performed at the highly rated Mangaung African Cultural Festival in South Africa in October 2012 alongside Angie Stone, Randy Crawford and Joe Sample to over 30,000 music fans.

The Simply Chrysolite Story, a celebratory gala concert, was held at the Elangeni Hotel in Durban in August 2012.

Simply Chrysolite are launching a unique concert in 2014/15 dubbed 'Chrysolitism'. It is to be held in Durban, and the best of music artists, sports personalities and business entrepreneurs will help dress the occasion.

Awards and nominations

Simply Chrysolite has managed to garner quite a number of awards over the years, including a BEFFTA award,[15] edging out more seasoned performers at the latter, like Wizkid and Kelly Rowland.

Awards

Nominations

Discography

Simply Chrysolite, Vol. 1 (2010)

This is the band's debut album and it contains ten tracks.[16]

Simply Chrysolite, Vol. 2 (2012)

In January 2013, they released the power single, Psalm 121 which was produced by Tim Omotoso, co-produced by Daniel Adegbenro and is available on iTunes and several other online stores.

Joy to the World

They are releasing a Christmas song on 25 December 2014 - Joy to the World [17]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "BEFFTA AWARDS 2011 – THE WINNERS / INTERVIEW WITH THE 'CATWALK PROFESSOR'". Www.Madnewsuk.Com. 24 October 2011. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  2. 1 2 "Artslink.co.za – Simply Chrysolite Celebratory Launch Concert". Artlink.co.za. 15 August 2012. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  3. ↑ "Tim Omotoso Global Outreach Sales Website | Home". Timomotososales.org. 9 January 2014. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  4. 1 2 "TOPHILO – 'Simply Chrysolite'". cross.tv. 20 November 2011. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  5. ↑ "Simply Chrysolite: Going gospel gold". City Press. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  6. ↑ 25 October 2011 at 01:07pm By Latoya Newman (25 October 2011). "KZN gospel group's success – KwaZulu-Natal | IOL News". IOL.co.za. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  7. ↑ "Simply Chrysolite | Crown Gospel Music AwardsCrown Gospel Music Awards". Crowngospelmusicawards.co.za. 18 November 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  8. ↑ 20 November 2013 at 11:12am By Munya Vomo (20 November 2013). "Gospel Digest – November 20, 2013 – IOL Tonight". IOL.co.za. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  9. ↑ http://www.publicnewshub.com/2013-crown-gospel-music-awards-results/
  10. ↑ Malema, Poelano (18 November 2013). "Rebecca Malope – 6Th SABC Crown Gospel Awards – Entertainment galleries". Entertainment.howzit.msn.com. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  11. 1 2 Simply Chrysolite Celebratory Launch Concert (14 August 2012). "Simply Chrysolite Celebratory Launch Concert | DurbanZone – Durban Online Magazine". DurbanZone. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  12. ↑ "South African girls group heads to Fun in the Son – Entertainment". Jamaica Gleaner. 2 July 2012. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  13. ↑ "Downtime: Time to shine". DestinyConnect. 14 March 2012. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  14. ↑ "SHOGGY TOSH WON THE BEST TV PRESENTER & SIMPLYCHRYSOLITE WON THE BEST BAND / GROUP AT THE 2012 AFRICA GOSPEL AWARDS". thenigerianvoice.com. 10 July 2012. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  15. ↑ "News " Beffta Awards". Beffta.com. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  16. ↑ "Come Holy Spirit by Simply Chrysolite – Gracemusic". Gracemusic.fr. 17 July 2011. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  17. ↑ http://blissgospel9ja.com/gospel-gist-tosh-mag-november-issue-featuring-simply-chrysolite-c-stas-prospa-tytman-sabina-umoren-and-michael-ibiayos-urban-rhythm-movie-smplychrysolit-cstas_sings-prospatytman/
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