| The Beginning Live | |
| Type: | video |
| Artist: | Zahara |
| Cover: | Zahara's The Beginning Live DVD cover.jpg |
| Border: | yes |
| Recorded: | June 8–9, 2012 Carnival City, Ekurhuleni |
| Genre: | Afro-soul |
| Length: | 110 minutes |
| Language: | Xhosa, English |
| Label: | TS Records |
| Chronology: | Zahara |
| Prev Title: | Loliwe |
| Prev Year: | 2011 |
| Next Title: | Nelson Mandela |
| Next Year: | 2013 |
The Beginning Live (stylized as Zahara: The Beginning Live) is a live DVD by South African singer Zahara. It was released by TS Records on September 3, 2012, and features additional performances by LeRoy Bell, DJ Sbu, the Soweto Gospel Choir and Riot. The DVD was shot at Carnival City in Ekurhuleni on June 8 and 9. During her two-day performance, Zahara was backed by an eight person band led by percussionist Tlale Makhene.[1] [2]
The Beginning Live was distributed by Musica, Kalahari and SoMusi.[3] [4] [5] It features performances of songs from Zahara's debut studio album, Loliwe (2011), along with her rendition of Brenda Fassie's "Vuli Ndlela". The Beginning Live received positive reviews from music critics, who praised Zahara's live performances of the songs. The DVD was commercially successful, selling over 40,000 copies and reaching double platinum status in South Africa. Moreover, it was one of the fastest selling DVDs released by a South African artist.[6]
Rehearsals for the two-day event were held at the Pyramid Venue & Conference Centre. As part of the DVD recording, Zahara and Leroy Bell performed some of their biggest songs. In an interview with The Sowetan, Leroy Bell said he felt in love with Zahara's music after googling her and was honored to be part of the DVD production. In the same interview, Zahara said she was nervous about the prospect of working with Bell. She also said she loves Bell's voice and found it coincidental that both of them have a song on their respective albums titled "Brand New Day".[7] Zahara paid tribute to Brenda Fassie and Miriam Makeba during her two-day performance.[8]
Commenting on the success of the concert and DVD recording, Zahara stated: "I feel that God has favoured me, this is just a blessing. It shows that if you remain true to who you are people will support you and remain faithful to you."
Drum magazine praised Zahara, saying she "pulls at the heart strings with her passionate and honest rendition" and commended her for being a "consummate entertainer who knows her way with a live audience and takes them along for a ride in her musical train."
The Beginning Live was nominated for Best Live DVD at the 19th annual South African Music Awards.[9]