Despite their success and financial backing, the group found itself having to learn to pivot during the global pandemic. The advent of COVID 19 really threw us in a spin that we never anticipated. It took us a long time to find our feet. Joyous Celebration thrives on audiences. Once you take away the audience we are kind of like a fish out of waterWe took time but we came back, said the group co-founder Jabu Hlongwane.

What started as an event dubbed Joyous Celebration, to thank God for the smooth transition from the apartheid era, has 25 years later morphed into one of the worlds most renowned choirs. Over the years, the group has served as a training ground for South African talent and its safe to say that almost every South African artist with an international audience has passed through the ranks of Joyous Celebration.  

Earlier this year the group signed a record deal with Universal Music Group after ending their long-standing relationship with Sony. EJ Gaines and Monica Coates, Co-Executive Directors of Motown Gospel released a joint statement about the new signing saying: Joyous Celebration has a 25-year reputation for musical excellence. We are glad to support our Universal Music Africa family as it introduces the Joyous Celebration brand to a global audience...

The groups silver jubilee release Joyous Celebration 25 - Still We Rise: Live at the Joburg Theatre, is a testament to the South African peoples unshakable faith and tenacity even during tumultuous times.

In an interview with Premier Gospel Jabu said: The unrest brought people to a state of confusion. What I love more than anything is that South Africans stood up and said we are not taking this. In Soweto for instance there is a big mall and people were standing around the mall for 24 hours saying no one is going to touch this mall. God allowed us to get this country back into our hands as black people and we are not going to destroy it. People stood up against those instigating the looting and it stopped because of them. We thank God for that.

Watch the full interview here:

Written by Akosua DF, Premier Gospel Presenter

Friday 30 July 2021

South Africas Joyous Celebration is synonymous with success. With over 3 million record sales, and millions of Spotify streams, the multi-award-winning group are one of the few gospel groups worldwide with a major brand sponsorship deal.