Artist On Feature: Psalmist Nalane on Music. Redemption, a Turning Point to Success.

Artist On Feature: Unchained & Unlimited. New Identity In Christ!

Had a chat with an extraordinary man who went from a life of crime to complete reformation, turning to Christ and making impactful music, leaving a note of change is possible and that people can't be condemned to the past when there's a chance at a reboot. 

Welcome to Mzansi Avenue 

Thank You for Joining Us 

How are You?

Psalmist: I'm good Sir and how are you?

Aaron: I'm Well thanks. Who is Psalmist Nalane and what does he do?

Psalmist: Psalmist Nalane whose real name is Simon Nalane Motalane, third to be born in his family, from a rural area called Mohlabeng Wa Malokela (Bochum)

I'm a Musician, Gospel Artist, Motivational Speaker and Event Organiser

Aaron: How did your love for music start? Tell us about that

Psalmist: It started at an early age in high school [during] morning assembly and also experiencing the Community Gospel Choir..I used to attend [the] Community Gospel Choir competition not singing but listening to them when they sing.

i just liked Gospel music but at the same time I was part of a gangster squad. But during this time I didn't realise that one day I'd sing, until I discovered my gifts in Prison. 

Aaron: From being around the music to finding it in you, wow! And would you be comfortable to talk about your time in prison and what led to your arrest?

Psalmist: Yeah as I said I joined a gangstar group in Mokopane, that time life was too fast paced

growing up without father, but only had a present  Mom and saw her suffering with us, it worried me and pushed me to hustle and I was a good boy, until my mom took me to her hometown - Bochum to do my high school there. I continued with my bad life in bochum, going to school late and off from school early, smoking dagga with school friends, peer pressure with ladies, I remember my last exams I only wrote two subjects and I was drunk.

But that life took me no where.

There is this verse in the Bible which reads "There is a way that seems right but it ends with death"  Proverbs

But unfortunately mine ended up with me in prison, we dropped out of school with my guys and turned to crime. Of course we ended up arrested with possession of fire arms and house breaking.

Aaron: I'm so sorry, it must've been hard having all these negative outcomes that started with influences. 

What was your time in prison like? What did you learn about yourself?

Psalmist: Eix it was not a nice feeling man, it was hard in there, treatment was bad; the beatings! Seeing people fighting, there'd be bloodshed at times.

Aaron: Wow it must've been brutal and I'm sincerely sorry, it's very graphic and telling, how traumatic...

How did your journey in finding God start?

Psalmist: I learned a lot hey.. I learned to enter in someone shoes before I can hurt him. 

I learned about forgiveness. I did many correctional programs like restorative justice, anger managements, that helps me to know myself.

And most importantly I received Salvation, I met Christ Jesus in there, that's when I discovered I can sing. 

My Mom  passed away while I was in there and it was difficult for me to accept it, I [kept] asking myself day and night "why me and what am I living for? because the one I love and who supported me, came to visit me is no more" that's whem I planned to commit suicide.

And on my way to commit suicide, I remember it was a Sunday, everyone [usually] goes to the football field for fresh air and play or watch ball and others go to church, meaning prison cells are empty. It was an opportunity for me to get a place to commit suicide, but only to find a group of people or congregation when I pass, the spirit of God touched me, I then fell down on my knees, heart broken.....soul and body, they took me and began to pray for me. 

Since from then, I took Jesus as my Lord and Saviour and my life changed from there.

Aaron: Wow that's Epic, on your way to call it an end to what you saw as a hopeless story that didn't need to go on another day, God redirected you towards Himself and you rebooted! 

And when you came out, what was it like starting afresh?

Psalmist: [During my time in prison] I  studied Music Theory also joined the best SA Correctional Service Gospel group called Masakhane Gospel Choir, we won several competitions under coordinator Mrs Lillian Maphanzela.

After my release from prison,i started to visit schools, community events just to motivate them about life, peer pressure, my testimony

Also on community Radio stations.

And I kept on with my music career.. I released an album Called HOLOKILE MORENA. 

Aaron: What was meant to harm you was used for good. Amen! Wow and what inspired the album?

Psalmist: The life I lived is a testimony, that someone out there needs to hear and be motivated. 

So I used music: the Gospel genre to spread the massage to people..as I believe it was God's purpose. 🙏

Aaron: Amen. And who are the artists you'd like to work with and why?

Psalmist: I would be happy if I can one day receive the grace of working with Keke Phoofolo, Benjamin Dube, Winnie Mashaba. 

Aaron: What's your daily motivation?

Psalmist: The music experience I had in Prison and the courage I got from my inmates and my music coordinator that "I can do it through Christ" and also listening to other Gospel artists, it helped me a lot.

Aaron: Sweet Melody. What's the most challenging thing you've ever had to overcome in life and how did you deal with it?

Psalmist: It has to be facing the community, it was my fear. 

Aaron: And were they harsh? Unwelcoming?

Psalmist: But as I said, before they can release us out from prison, there is courses we attend, and the also invite the people we hurt for us to ask for forgiveness. 

So before I got released I would be contemplating in my  room deep within my heart about the community about how they'd treat me because some still saw the old me, while others understood that I served my sentence and I'm a change person..

Aaron: I'm glad that there are empathic people out there who aren't quick to condemn. 

What does freedom mean to you and what has it taught you?

Psalmist: Yeah, Freedom means a lot to me; no more limitations, it taught me to respect people whether young or adult, male or female. 

It also taught me to have self control, financially and emotionally.

And to be satisfied with what I have. 

As long as you're still alive, it means there is still hope..and Jesus is our Hope.

He can turn your mess to a message, Pain to Gain, Disappointment to Appointment, Rejection To Perfection, from Grass to Grace

He is our Hope of Glory 

He need us who are tired of life, who got disappointed in life. 

Aaron: Amen! What would you say to people that want to turn their lives around?

Psalmist: People must understand that, we make mistakes in life but that doesn't mean we are mistake, we can change

First thing we must channel our mind to positive thing

Avoid bad friends because bad friends will obviously lead to bad things 

Accept ur background, and forget not to pray 🙏

Aaron: And what are some of the positive and empowering words you've ever received?

Psalmist: Words from my previous music Coordinator - 

NALANE Remember you're a writing pen of God, so don't forget prayer and fasting in everything and everywhere you go.

Aaron: Sound advice indeed. And where would you like to perform around the world?

Psalmist: Uhh I just want to see myself on a big stage like Spirit Of Praise, Joyous Celebration, USA is also in my heart.🇺🇸😊

Aaron: That's nice. Which story in the Bible is your favourite or you relate to most and why?

Psalmist: The story of Job

Job went been through a lot but he never insulted God...he lost his children, his wealth, his live stock..but he kept on trusting and remained faithful to God, even when his wife told him to curse his God and die. 

So it relate to my life as I was in Prison 

I lost my mom and nearly gave up in life and my friends introduced me to this story of Job. And that is why it is my favourite story in the bible.

Aaron: Wow that's truly epic!

Who are your influences? The people that motivate You?

Psalmist: My former Music Coordinator in prison: Mrs Lillian Maphanzela & My Pastor Maifo

Aaron: And why?

Psalmist: I believe they see potential in me

Discipline and I love what I'm doing, I love my ministry 🙏

Aaron: And where can people follow you on social media?

Psalmist: Yea People can follow me here: Facebook - Psalmist Nalane

       Tiktok - @psalmistnalane

       Instagram - @psalmistnalane

My Email address: psalmistnalane3@gmail.com 

Contact number: 0663331108

Aaron: That's amazing and any message for your fans?

Psalmist: Yeah....the only message that have for them is that, God loves you. And He will never leave you nor forsake you as He promised. 

I know friends leave when days are dark, but always remember God will never leave you, it can be late to people but it can never be too late for God, Jesus can change your life, your disappointment to Appointment, Rejection to Perfection..Crisis to Jesus Christ, mess to message, your story to glory.

He can just make people who spoke bad behind your back to later on  be the ones who testify good [things] about you.

"Bagoswere ka pelo, tomorrow bago sware ka letsogo"

That's our God... If Psalmist Nalane changed from prison to Pulpit, lewena you can change from that bad situation to something great through Christ Jesus 🙏

Aaron: That's truly amazing 

What is your favourite Psalm and why?

Psalmist: Psalm 19:14

It's actually a prayer, that I always pray to God; because whatever comes out of our mouths is to either to build or destroy. 

And same as mind, is too dangerous,

So I love the verse 'cause it's a prayer and teach us [that] we must fill our minds with positive or good things

And speak positively by doing this, our God in Heaven will be rejoicing. 

Amen. 

Psalmist had a complete turnaround from bunking classes, mixing with wrong crowd and landing in prison to encountering God and experiencing a life filled with purpose, testimony, excellence and paging new chapters of strength, hope and inspiration to others. It's truly incredible. Be Blessed in Jesus name.

Thank You for Joining Us 

Until Next Time.

Happy Holidays & God Bless.