INTERVIEW WITH SOUTH AFRICAN GOSPEL MUSIC SENSATION, LULAMA LALLO

Joy: Good morning Minister Lulama

Lulama: Good morning my dear sister.

Joy: You are welcome to Worshippers' Lifestyle. Thank you for granting us this interview

Lulama: You are welcome dear. I'm truly humbled.

Joy: Please tell us about yourself

Lulama: My name is Lulama Lallo. I'm a maid servant of the Most High King. I'm originally from Port Elizabeth, South Africa but now I'm based in Johannesburg. I've been about my Father's business since I was a little child. I have always wanted to serve Him fully and He (Jehovah God) has directed me to serve Him as a worshipper in songs.

I'm a full-time musician and I've worked with the likes of Rebecca Malope, Joyous Celebration, Caiphus Semenya, Letta Mbuli, The late Vuyo Mokoena, Yvonne Chaka Chaka and the list goes on. I work full time with Bishop Benjamin Dube.

Joy: So you have been singing since your childhood days and will do so forever, I guess?

Lulama: I'm telling you I dream music and I live music. Music is my life, I tell you.

Joy: How has the journey been so far?

Lulama: Interestingly, my journey has had both up and downs. The thing is, we go through challenges because our Father wants us to know Him better and be able to lean, rely and grow in Him daily so that we can walk in power and show forth miracles, signs and wonders for His glory.

Lulama: To be a worshipper costs you your life where you're able to say Father not my will but Yours be done, where you can't decide anything without His guidance because you've fully surrendered your will to His. Thank You Jesus. Sometimes you may not understand but you follow His voice because you trust Him.

Joy: So would you say being in full time music has been great without any support from other sources.

Lulama: Well it needs you to be a tough cookie, hey. Its full of ups and downs. When people see us on tv, they think its a milk and honey lifestyle but its not anything of that sort. Today its nice, tomorrow you're crying but you gotta encourage yourself in the Lord just like David, move on and follow your dream.

Joy: What are the challenges you face as a gospel musician daily?

Lulama: The fact that you don't get a pay cheque at the end of the month like people that work full time is a huge challenge. You have to wait for a gig without knowing when the next one would come, unless you're well known or you've recorded your own album. That being said, because the Lord is faithful, He always sees us through by His grace. Sometimes, people book you and use your picture for their shows and do not pay you at all

Joy: What is your style of music?

Lulama: Gospel of course hey, with a touch of Nigerian. I believe Gospel music is about telling your life story as a testimony. You're able to encourage, heal and restore through songs. Thank you Jesus!

Joy: Tell us about the south Africa culture and the gospel music there.

Lulama: South African culture is Ubuntu.Ubuntu is being able to live, help and accommodate other people. Joy my dear, the fact is I need you and you need me. You cannot be an island. Ubuntu is about sharing my plate of food with you whether I know you or not because you're hungry now and I have more than enough even if its one slice of bread, the fact that you can't allow your brother to go hungry in your presence. That's what I call Ubuntu.

Joy: I have discovered that you South Africans love your language so much, and that you sing with it almost all the time.

Lulama: Hahaha Abi.

Joy: Does it bother you that a lot of us don't understand your language but you sing with it without translation and people all over the world listen to it.

Lulama: I guess some of our fellow brethren never thought that their music would grow and reach a place as far as Naija hey, so I'd say that's why they haven't accommodated our other languages but they will grow and learn how to perfect our work by the grace of God.

Joy: I must say it's almost Like your culture supercedes every other thing. You sing little or no English songs. Why?

Lulama: I promise that in my album, I'll accommodate the whole family.😊I'll also spread the word about it because what you're saying is so true and its not good enough.

Joy: Lol. Really, it's beautiful. I'm only wondering if it bothers you guys over there that people don't understand but they still flow with it

Lulama: Please forgive themoooo!😊Its just that they were not expecting to be as big as they are. Well, the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is alive in all His children.

Joy: I remember when some of my colleagues and I came to Bishop Benjamin's church in South Africa, he preached in his language and we Nigerians were there. We didn't nderstand anything he said but we felt the anointing in his message.

Lulama: Jesus! I'm sure he was not aware that you guys were there!

Joy: Yes he wasn't but later when we got to see him he was really sorry about that.

Lulama: I'm really sorry about that also, hey!

Joy: No hard feelings sis. We enjoyed every moment, even though we had no clue on what he was saying.

Joy: Minister Lula, tell us, do you think it is right for music ministers to charge or demand a specific amount when they are invited to minister?

Lulama: It becomes a challenge when you're a musician full time because some people will only say "God bless you", even though your fridge is empty. Some are givers by nature so you learn to play safe. Some are not sensive when it comes to finances, so having been living this life and knowing our challenges as musicians, its safe to charge.

Joy: So it is cool to state your price, right?

Lulama: Yes Ma'am! I wouldn't call it price though but a honorarium.

Joy: How do you see your career evolving with contrast to other music ministers in your country?

Lulama: I believe in being led by the Holy Spirit in everything I do, not copying other people. That's why I've waited for a very long time before recording my album. I believe now I'm fully developed to make an impact through my songs.

Joy: Some music ministers don't see it as wrong to collaborate with secular musicians. What is your take on that?

Lulama: I think it depends on the vision that the Lord has given you because the Word says 'go ye', so it could again be a way for people to reach out to the world. It all depends on your personal assignment.

Joy: Can you talk about the place of 'anointing' and the place of 'skill' in the life of a music minister? Which is more important?

Lulama: Moses says I'm not going unless you go with me, which means anointing is key in our journey. Its the one that does the work. I can sing a song that you don't understand but you'll be in tears because of the anointing in the song. My annointing has been an exchange for my struggles, my pain and my challenges. Today, I'm able to thank my Father for what I've been through because it all has made and qualified me to be a better minister. Thank you Jesus!

Lulama: You can have the greatest voice ever but without the oil, its all vanity.

(To be continued).......

#ministration #artiste