Faith, Flow, and Finding His Sound: An Interview with Mbongeni

Mbongeni, a Zimbabwean-born Christian artist who has been residing in New Zealand since the age of four, is dedicated to spreading the Gospel through his music. His work, ranging from producing to songwriting, is a reflection of his personal journey with faith, grace, and redemption. Through his powerful songs, Mbongeni aims to inspire and uplift those seeking fulfilment in a world often filled with struggles. With each note and lyric, he strives to touch hearts and inspire souls, sharing his message of hope and devotion.

When asked about his current rotation and musical influences, Mbongeni describes his taste in neo soul and rap music and his hopes for a new wave of Christian neo soul music in the future. He states, "At the moment, I’m vibing to a mix of artists that really inspire me musically. I’ve got some J. Cole, nobigdyl, Jon Keith, and Masego on repeat. Their unique sounds have definitely influenced my approach to music," he goes on to say "J. Cole is a huge inspiration when it comes to my sound, especially his musicality. Artists like nobigdyl, Jon Keith, and Masego also inspire me. They each bring something fresh and unique to the table, and that’s what I aspire to do with my own music: create a sound that’s distinctly mine but with influences from those who came before me." He especially mentions J Cole and his emotional storytelling. Connects deeply with listeners. In regards to his own music this ranges from rap to R&B, with plans to dive into melodic rap in the future. "I want to diversify my sound and create a catalogue that speaks to different moods, experiences, and atmospheres, all while maintaining my authenticity." Ultimately, he says "God is my ultimate creative inspiration. Watching how Jesus moves in the lives of others and the impact He’s had on my own life fuels my creativity. It’s about translating that into something meaningful through my music." He especially credits the hunger for God as his inspiration for his upcoming project. 

His entire sound and process is rooted deeply in faith and his relationship with Christ. "My faith has deeply influenced my creative process. It’s given me a more introspective perspective, not only on my relationship with Christ but also on navigating life's challenges. As I write and perform, I reflect on how my experiences and faith intertwine. It’s about telling a story of hope, growth, and redemption." He writes by first starting in prayer and then lets the personal experiences guide the song."Most of my songs are based on what I’m going through in that moment. However, in the future, I’d like to incorporate more scripture into my music to further strengthen the messages I’m sharing."  He uses his own experiences and emotions to connect with his audience and show them there is hope and God is conquering their battles.

His story of how he first began with music is truly inspirational. An electrician by trade, music is something he does on the side. He speaks of his entry to music stating, "I was making secular music for fun on the side when I received a word of wisdom. It spoke about the power of words and how the music we create can impact lives in transformative ways. That resonated deeply with me, and I stepped out in faith to see how God would use my music. The affirmations and support I’ve received along the way have shown me that He’s walking with me on this creative journey."

In terms of his creative process, he states, "My creative process is definitely a blend of inspiration, prayer, and hard work. I start by praying for clarity and guidance, then I dive into writing based on my experiences. I work on the production side too, refining the beats and sounds that match the message I’m trying to convey. Writing comes from a place of reflection and prayer. My experiences, whether they’re spiritual victories or lows, provide the inspiration for my songs. It’s a way for me to process what I’m feeling and communicate it through music. Life itself inspires my writing. Love, the fruits of the Spirit, and the ways God is shaping me are all themes that inspire me. The spiritual highs and lows, the struggles, and the victories all come through in my music." The song he is proudest of? a song called ‘Half Way’ that’s part of his upcoming project, HUNGER. "It’s a track I’m excited to share with everyone because it represents a new direction for me musically. It reflects the style I want to continue pursuing, introducing fresh vibes, flows, and concepts. It feels like a true representation of my growth as an artist. It’s a song that combines vulnerability and strength in a way I’ve never done before."

When discussing the next generation of creatives his advice is simple: "have a genuine hunger to perfect your craft. Strive toward your goals every day. Consistency and dedication are key to growing as an artist." He goes on to say that placing your talents in God's hands is the way to success. “Surrender to him and let him be in control.” He tells us about when he was just starting out stating" One of my friends really helped me with the technical side of things, particularly with mixing and mastering. I’m still working toward perfecting that, but his advice laid the foundation for me to build on and improve over time," he states, "The hardest part has been finding my authentic voice and staying true to it, especially in the face of industry pressures. But I know it’s important to stay grounded in my faith and purpose."

The hardest part of his journey so far he says has been overcoming writer's block but he has found prayer and reconnecting with God to be the solution to this. The proudest moment has been working with @siakicreative on instagram “especially with his creative vision on Step Out. When speaking of the future, he states, "My goal is to continue evolving musically and spiritually. I want to grow as an artist, expand my sound, and touch more lives with the message I carry. I’d love to see my music reach a global audience while staying true to my faith and purpose."

Stay tuned for more from Mbongeni as he continues his journey of faith, music, and creative growth. His next project, called HUNGER, is on its way! He states, "It’s an 8-9 song EP that I’m super excited about. It’s going to feature songs I’m really proud of, and it’ll give fans a deeper look into the direction I want to take with my sound. I can’t wait for everyone to hear it!"