Joyous Celebration

Gospel choir Joyous Celebration formed in 1994, with the hope of using music to both unify South Africans and offer praise after the end of apartheid in their country. ∙ Thanks to their widespread popularity, the group’s albums have been the bestsellers in South Africa—in any genre—five years in a row. ∙ Their inspirational anthem “Uyalalelwa,” which has more than 8 million views online, helped 2017’s Joyous Celebration 21: Heal Our Land take four prizes at the South African Music Awards. ∙ Joyous Celebration 22: All For You shot to the top of iTunes and radio charts in South Africa immediately after its 2018 release. ∙ They have received more than two-dozen accolades, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Crown Gospel Awards. ∙ Several popular artists started out in the choir, including Idols South Africa winner Khaya Mthethwa and gospel singer HLE, who hit No. 1 with her 2020 album, Your Kingdom on Earth.