Brenden Praise Reflects on His Journey of Faith From Idols SA to Gospel Music and The Masked Singer SA

Brenden Praise has added another memorable chapter to a music journey that has taken him from Idols SA to South African gospel music and, most recently, The Masked Singer SA. The gospel singer was revealed as Pineapple on the popular television show, giving audiences another glimpse into the personality behind the music. While his appearance on the programme introduced him to viewers in a different way, his deeper story remains rooted in his evolution as an artist, his faith and his family. Since appearing on Idols SA in 2013, Brenden Praise has continually reshaped his sound while searching for music that reflects who he is. Today, his gospel journey represents an important part of that evolution and has allowed him to combine his faith with the contemporary sound that has always been part of his artistry.

Brenden Praise first became widely known when he competed on Idols SA in 2013 and finished as the runner-up. The experience gave him a national platform, but it also marked the beginning of several years of discovering what kind of artist he wanted to become. He eventually moved from being known simply as Brendan to Brenden Praise, a name that became closely connected to his identity as a recording artist. His early musical direction leaned towards soulful music, but his career changed when he met Mörda from Black Motion in 2016. That relationship introduced him to house music and opened the door to a different sound that eventually helped him establish himself beyond the television singing competition.

The release of Joy Joy in 2018 became an important moment in Brenden Praise’s career because it brought together his soulful vocals with the energy of house music. The song helped create greater awareness around his name and showed that he could adapt without losing the vocal qualities that had initially attracted audiences to him. His work in the house music space continued through collaborations and performances, eventually leading to projects such as Horns in the Sun with Mo-T, DJ Kent and Mörda. However, the success of that chapter also encouraged him to think about what he wanted from his career and his life. As his faith became increasingly important, he began looking for a musical direction that would allow him to express that part of himself more openly.

By 2023, Brenden Praise had begun moving into a new gospel season. He felt that he had reached a point where he had explored much of what he could achieve as a vocalist within the house music environment. The lifestyle associated with frequent performances also became an important consideration because he wanted to be present for his children and participate in ordinary family moments. Rather than stepping away from music, he began introducing his faith into his sound while avoiding the need to make his music feel overly traditional or exclusively church-focused. This approach allowed him to create gospel music that still carries contemporary influences while remaining centred on his relationship with God.

One of the songs that marked this transition was God You Keep On Blessing Me. The release reflected Brenden Praise’s growing desire to make music that openly celebrates his faith while remaining connected to his artistic identity. His gospel sound does not erase the musical experiences that came before it, but instead brings those influences into a new spiritual context. This has allowed him to reach listeners who appreciate gospel music that feels current while still carrying a clear message of faith. His journey also shows how gospel music can become a natural extension of an artist’s personal growth rather than simply another career direction.

For Brenden Praise, faith and family have become closely connected to his understanding of success. He has spoken about wanting to be available for his children, including attending moments such as his son’s soccer games. This desire influenced his decision to reconsider a career structure that required him to perform every weekend. It also reflects a broader change in how he defines achievement, with family and spiritual fulfilment becoming as important as professional recognition. His gospel journey therefore comes from a place of wanting his music and lifestyle to reflect the values he has developed as a husband and father.

His appearance on The Masked Singer SA offered Brenden Praise a completely different way to engage with audiences. He appeared as Pineapple and managed to perform without immediately revealing his identity to the wider public. The decision to participate was largely inspired by his children because the family watched the show together. He saw the opportunity as a chance to create a special moment for them by appearing on one of the programmes they enjoyed. However, keeping his identity secret proved difficult when his daughter recognised his voice almost immediately.

The experience became a reminder that even a carefully planned disguise could not hide his voice from the people closest to him. His daughter reportedly knew after the first episode that Pineapple was her father and was disappointed that he had not disguised his voice more effectively. For Brenden Praise, the experience was still meaningful because it allowed him to share something fun with his children. It also showed a side of the gospel singer that audiences may not always see through his worship music. Behind the performances and recordings is a father who values creating memories with his family.

Brenden Praise’s marriage to Mpoomy Ledwaba has also played an important role in his personal and spiritual journey. The couple previously shared aspects of their relationship through a podcast focused on their experience of building a young Christian marriage. Over time, they decided to end the podcast after feeling that they had shared what they wanted to share. Brenden Praise believes that there is value in knowing when something has fulfilled its purpose and allowing it to end. His perspective reflects a desire to focus on building a healthy marriage rather than feeling pressured to constantly make their relationship public.

That same approach can be seen in how the couple protects their children from unnecessary public exposure. Brenden Praise has explained that they do not share their children on social media because they prefer to enjoy family life privately. They still capture family memories through photographs, but those moments remain within their home rather than becoming content for social media. For the gospel singer, the value of family life does not depend on whether a moment can be shared with an audience. His focus on privacy and presence reflects the same priorities that influenced his move towards a more sustainable career.

Brenden Praise’s journey is ultimately a story of musical evolution shaped by faith, purpose and family. From his Idols SA days to his years in house music and his transition into contemporary gospel, he has continued to search for a sound that reflects his changing life. His appearance as Pineapple on The Masked Singer SA added an unexpected and entertaining chapter, but his gospel music remains central to the artist he has become. His decision to create music that speaks openly about his faith while remaining contemporary has given him another meaningful space within South African gospel. As Brenden Praise continues this chapter, his story shows how an artist can grow in sound and purpose while keeping faith, family and authenticity at the centre of the journey.