BIGSONG:
South Africa gospel vocalist Lebo Sekgobela performs her contemporary choir music with a distinctly poignant, soulful delivery. She emerged with her full-length debut, Ithemba Lami, in 2013 and had her big breakthrough with her double-platinum third album, Restored, in 2016.
Born in the Vaal Area of Gauteng in the early ’80s, Sekgobela launched her vocal career as a backup singer for the likes of Vicky Vilakazi and William Sejake (Joyous Celebration). Tox Music delivered her first solo album, Ithemba Lami, in mid-2013. The live recording By His Grace came later in the same year. By His Grace single “Melsui” was the beneficiary of television placements in addition to significant radio play. Appearances on releases such as the Anointed Worship album A Time of Anointed Worship and the compilation Mzansi Gospel Hits soon followed, and Sekgobela issued her third long-player, Restored, in 2016. Her hit version of Matsetse Matthews’ “Lion of Judah” helped catapult the singer to national prominence in South Africa as well as in Nigeria, where she charted for radio play.Another live recording, Umusa, followed in 2018. Sekgobela’s fifth album, Hymns and Worship, arrived in 2019, the same year she was featured on Rebecca Malope’s Lord You Are Good.