IT was in 1999 that he realised his deep-seated passion for making music as he sang in church and was met with a standing ovation. From that time, he believed his voice was an extraordinary gift that he needed to use. This experience gave him self-belief that whatever his future held, music would contribute a chunk of it.
True to that, it was on the 6th of April that Marshal Gatsi launched his second solo album in Harare titled, Together We Can, as a promotion of unity and ending social vices like suicide while encouraging people to hold on to God as the solution to life’s unending challenges.
A family man hailing from a musically gifted family, Gatsi is not only a professional builder and proprietor of a construction company but has also proved to be one consistent and resilient builder of narratives with a music career now spanning over two -and-half decades.
“My life can never be described without mentioning music in every sentence. I started singing in Grade 6 and my exposure to music was accapela. Music has been a source of comfort, especially in difficult times, and has made me connect with several friends through the group I sing with called The Well — a Seventh Day Adventist accapela group,’ said Gatsi.
The current album is a shift from his usual music as he used instruments inspired by an early project he took part in which resultantly transformed a series of poems into music.
“My friend Sympathy Mangwenya Sibanda chose me and four other artists in 2011 to change her poems into music. I had never been in a recording studio before and that was the beginning of a new journey. I fell in love with instruments and hoped to infuse them into my own projects. I took the leap of faith in 2019 with my debut solo album titled, Always on Time. This was well received and I hoped to work on the second one immediately,
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"However, the dream was forgotten for a while as Covid pandemic struck in 2020 and I started working on accapela hymnals with some friends from church. We recorded over 90 songs and have to date toured several countries in the region. Something about giving hope in the face of death made this project a success,” he added.
Gatsi said the support from his family and church has helped him establish his brand as a musician who sings for the soul.
“In 2024, with overwhelming support from my family and friends, I finally recorded my second album. I believe that I am on earth to give hope to the hopeless and it is on such premises that I make my songs.”
Recorded at Revival Studios, the album carries songs like Together We Can which focuses on reminding people that they matter and to value their life even when it gets tough. It encourages people to desist from committing suicide but seek help from others.
Chiedza is a song that focuses on God’s interventions in people’s lives even at times when the future looks gloomy.
The gifted musician said his focus had shifted to moving in different communities spreading hope through his music and expressed his readiness to partner with various organisations whose message aligned with his vision.
“My voice is a gift and when I sing I get a lot of feedback on how God worked through me. Therefore, It is my strong desire and prayer to locate and partner organisations whose mandate is to spread God’s love, bring hope,and give people something to hold on to even in the face of adversity. Instrumental gospel-soul music is my new identity and I hope to keep moving in this direction,” explained the soft-spoken singer.
Throughout his career, he has performed in every city in Zimbabwe as well as in South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, and Malawi.
- Fungayi Antony Sox is a seasoned communications and publishing specialist who has advised and consulted for CEOs, executives, entrepreneurs, youth-focused start-ups, businesses, several institutions and organisations. For feedback contact him on 0776 030 949, connect with him on LinkedIn on Fungayi Antony Sox, or write to him on fungayisox@gmail.com