BIGSONG:
Goodman Mxolisi Hlongwane (born 10 June 1961), well known as Jabu Hlongwane, is a South African gospel singer, songwriter, producer, author and pastor. His versatility came out with duet albums he produced with the late Vuyo Mokoena, Sipho Makhabane as well as Mthunzi Namba. He was born in Soweto, Zola and grew up in Dhlamini, Johannesburg in 1961. Jabu is the fifth of seven children in the Hlongwane household. He began his primary school at Hlakaniphani and at Lilydale in Dlamini, Soweto. He matriculated at Amangwe High school after his family had moved to KZN.
He has a number of solo projects as well and is also the co-founder of Joyous Celebration, a South African Gospel choir that was formed in 1994. preceded by single – a platform created to find talent, groom it, develop it and showcase in the country and abroad. He has also recorded and performed the “Constitution Song” in Parliament of South Africa.
Early life
Music for Jabu began at High school where he joined the school choir and established smaller groups that sang all kinds of music. He later learned a few chords on a guitar and formed a trio that included his younger brother and sister.It was at the University where he realized that it was actually his passion. He was joined by his old friend Mthunzi Namba as a pianist in the gospel music group he had established and named “The Emanuels”. Jabu and Mthunzi were a part of the University Jazz Ensemble and they performed Jazz, African Music and Soul music while at the University of Zululand.After his matric, Jabu worked at Alusaf, an Aluminum company in Richards Bay as a Laboratory Assistant for five years. He then registered for and obtained a degree in Education, majoring in English, Communication Science and Education.After graduating, Jabu taught English at a High school for three years before getting an offer to teach at College. He remained at the College for 9 years while working at establishing a career in music. He eventually left College in 1999 to pursue music full-time.
Career
1994 marked the beginning of Jabu’s professional career as he released his first solo album. This came after his involvement in the establishment of the then Family Factory, a group that took Gospel music to a whole new level in South Africa featuring Kelly Rowland in one of their tracks. They also worked with Ray Chew as one of the producers on the project who is now the music director of American Idol. During this time Jabu juggled between being a lecturer at a College, acting (Muvhango) and appearing in Rhythm City and Generations, as well as being in the music industry for nine years before he went full-time into music in 1999. His recent accolade from the Africa Gospel Music Awards in the category “Best Contribution in Gospel Music” in Africa bares testimony to the reach of his work.His latest album is called Crosspower Experience 3.This CD/DVD project he recorded towards the end of 2016.He has released a single out of the project entitled “Wabethelwa” as well a video of the single.
International Performances
He performed in the UK in 2007 with Joyous Celebration at Birmingham London as part of the guests of the Mayor of London Cardiff and Scotland.He has also performed African countries like Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Kenya, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Swaziland as well as the US in the following places: -Boston: As an invited guest of the Mayor on the Martin Luther King Birthday celebration as well as part of the Black History Month celebration. -New Jersey, -New York, -Connecticut, -Washington DC, -Maryland – He was presented with the KEY TO THE CITY as an HONORARY Citizen by the Mayor of Maryland. In 2017 he performed at Bishop T. D. Jakes’s church, the Potter’s House during the recording of Joyous Celebration 21.
The CrossPower experience
The Crosspower experience was birthed when the artist decided to move from having studio albums to live recordings. In 2009 he recorded the first album in this series and has recorded 2 more since then, the latest one being in September 2016 at a warehouse in Johannesburg. He describes it as young, contemporary and varied.Jabu’s songwriting is not limited to his albums but includes writing for Joyous Celebration as well as other Gospel artists who grace the Joyous stage. Other artists, other than Joyous artists have used his songs. Jabu has also written music for TV programs (Agape – Gospel Music TV program) and The Joyous Hour.
Personal Life
Jabu is a Pastor of Church called Crosspower Ministries based in Johannesburg, and is married to Sibongile. They have 3 daughters and 1 son. Besides his passion for music he also has a passion for God, His will and His people.
