NOMADIC singer Faith Candy has switched from Zimdancehall to gospel music full time as she strives to use her musical talent to spread the good news.
Candy told the Daily News on Sunday that she has been pondering on the transition for years but has now finally decided to make the move.
“I have decided to use my God-given talent to advance His kingdom. Now, my fans should expect soothing gospel songs from me,” she said.
Having made her name in the secular world where she was one of the proponents of Zimdancehall and Afro-fusion music, Candy is ready to move on.
“There is a time for everything. I have no regrets for my past whatsoever,” she said.
Candy started off as an urban grooves musician before she switched to Zimdancehall and then Afro-pop.
Then, she said the decision to shun urban grooves was necessitated by the “lack of maturity and depth” on the part of the genre.
Now, she has settled for gospel music and business.
“I am into music not for money but to express my views on certain issues in the society. I have gone through a lot in the business hence the decision to thank God through gospel music,” Candy said.
Besides music, Candy is now an established entrepreneur with interest in beauty care products.
She has her own line of skin lighting creams and already has two shops operating with one in the central business district and another in Mt Pleasant to push her products.
Running a business as a woman is not a stroll in the park especially in a volatile economy like Zimbabwe where big multi-national companies have either scaled down operations or completely shut down.
“When I started my skin care business, I was attacked left, right and centre for selling skin lightening creams,” Candy recalls.
“However, I remained steadfast as there was nothing wrong in selling skin products. I believed in my brand and products. I sell creams that are not harmful to the skin. Now I am used to the attacks and I am happy that my business is booming. Business is not for the faint-hearted people.”
She opened her shops in Harare in 2019 following a surge in demand for her products.
“I started it early in 2019 when I launched my face creams. I just believe that your confidence comes from your beautiful skin. Skin problems can affect one’s confidence and self-esteem,” she said.
The goal for Candy now is to expand her business empire and at the same time continue churning out gospel music.
“I am planning to have all skin products including lip-gloss, perfumes, hair products, anything to do with beauty and also a grooming school especially for teenagers as I have noticed that most of the skin problems start during adolescence,” she said.
Last week, Candy was one of the bridesmaids during socialite and comedienne Mai Titi’s roora day ceremony.
“To me, Mai Titi is a big sister. She was very supportive when I started my business. She also inspired us in the music industry,” she said.
Born Faith Naphazi, Candy is not the first secular musician to switch to the gospel genre.
Mid this year, Alexio Kawara switched to gospel music full time, following in the footsteps of veteran artists Knowledge Kunenyati, Matthew “Mateo” Kaunda, Susan “Mai Rwizi” Chenjerai and Zexie Manatsa among others.
