For some gospel artists, the stage is simply a performance space, the patrons are fans and the shows just gigs. But to Patience Namadingo, the stage is a pulpit, the patrons are a congregation and the shows a ministry.
And realising that he walks on sacred ground and carries a sanctified mission, Namadingo says he has decided to take time off the spotlight to reflect on his life.
Posting on his Facebook page recently, Namadingo said he is suspending his music career.
The post read: “This account will be deactivated in exactly 10 days due to the public music quitting of Patience Namadingo & Dekhani branding, however, I must congratulate and thank all of you who have been able to support the career online and offline, God Bless you all, you have been wonderful company since 2007 to 2014 goodbye”.
And in an interview with On the Arts, the Mtendere hit-maker said he is going on a re-evaluation exercise for an undisclosed period.
“It might take one year or two, even less. I can’t say how long,” said the artist.
Namadingo said he feels he has fallen short of God’s glory and is not supposed to be on stage preaching God’s message.
“The gospel industry has lately been infested with artists that are not themselves saved and this has taken away the anointing such that even gospel shows have turned into secular gigs. This is a personal decision. The Bible says what does a man gain if he gains the world and loses his soul? I don’t want to save souls, but lose mine,” he said.
The former Nde’feyo Entertainment artist said he cannot specifically pinpoint what he has done, but said he has been distant from God and concentrated more on music.
He said he wants to create music that will be identified as Malawian music than the Rn’B that he has been singing.
“Malawian music has failed to cross the borders because we have been copying from foreign genres. I want to take my time to find out what I can do to my music to give it a more Malawian touch,” said Namadingo.
The artist said all his projects have been put on hold until he feels good enough to be on stage and ready with a Malawian touch.
Namadingo sprouted to stardom after his second album Tili ndi Yesu in 2010 which followed his 2007 debut Goshen which did not do well.
In 2012, the artist signed to Nde’feyo Gospel, a subsidiary of Nde’feyo Entertainment.
The artist parted ways with the outfit in January and has been a voice coach for the Sunbird Search for a Star Competition for two consecutive seasons.
