Katlego reaches for a FAME
GOSPEL singer and songwriter Katlego Modiba has recently been nominated in the Best Gospel Artist category of the FAME Awards.
LIMPOPO – GOSPEL singer and songwriter Katlego Modiba has recently been nominated in the Best Gospel Artist category of the FAME Awards.
The FAME Awards covers film, art, music and entertainment and will take place in May.
The nomination reminds the 24-year old singer that his hard work, balancing studies in mechanical engineering and struggles in his music career, has paid off.
“I know the pain of being in the music industry and having no one to help you. I struggled a lot and for a long time, trying to be a gospel artist and that is why I would like to develop other talented young people,” says Modiba.
His experiences in the unforgiving industry have encouraged him to start an organisation, Re Rata Batho Human Investment.
“Through this investment, we have currently adopted the Setotolwane Special School with plans to raise funds to buy school uniforms. We want to teach young people that their talents might be turned into careers through hard work.”
Modiba says he started his music career in primary school singing in a choir.
“I was raised by both parents in a musical atmosphere. I always enjoyed music growing up with my twin sisters and brothers and we still sing at church.”
He explains how, in 2008, he worked with local gospel singer Monica Mankoe before being influenced to officially enter the music industry during keyboard lessons from his mentor and gospel singer Urban Matjila.
“Urban has been with me since my debut album Mollo wa Jesu, was released in 2012. He really blesses me.”
Modiba believes in visions and a strong spiritual connection with God. He says that most of his songs and musical ventures came after he saw visions in his sleep.
“For me, music is a spiritual gift. It was revealed to me in church that this was my destiny. Sometimes when I am sleeping, I have visions where I see myself overseas singing and blessing people with my music. I see myself growing in the music industry and performing outside this country.”
As for temptations that have seen many a gospel artist fall from grace, Modiba says he has decided to just ignore them especially female groupies and alcohol.
He admits that his fame has brought unwanted attention from some females and says the secret to dealing with this problem is to practice what he preaches.
“When I sing, I minister. I cannot preach the gospel and then drink alcohol after that. For me worship is a form of preaching.”
