Keep on Standing

The 1989 student massacre in Lubumbashi, Zaire under the brutal rule of dictator/president Mobutu Sese Seko was almost the end for brothers Michel, Fabian and Aliston Lwamba. Escaping with only their lives, that day was a grim and deadly reality marking the beginning of an incredible saga that changed their lives forever. During the chaos, the Lwambas were separated from each other, living in refugee camps for over five years, and leaving many of their relatives for dead. They survived violence, disease, depression and starvation before they met God and found in Him both the reason and the will to keep on standing. Eventually Michel and Aliston were sponsored and given the opportunity to migrate to Canada. Their brother Fabian, who was feared to have been killed, was later miraculously reunited with his brothers in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in 1997. The purpose and healing people found in the music the brothers shared in the refugee camps, led to them later founding the group Krystaal, whose award winning music style blends gospel, hip-hop, R&B and African styles. Today, their aim is to share the hope that music brought them with others, particularly children who, like themselves, have been orphaned by war. In 2004, they released their album "Keep On Standing" which was honored with several awards and nominations including four gospel music MAJA Awards, Artist of the Year, Group of the Year, Album of the Year and Canadian National Song of the Year; two Canadian Gospel Music Association awards for "Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year" and "Best Urban Song"; and four nominations by Canadian gospel musics peoples' choice VIBE Awards. They have recently released their latest album entitled Speak To Me. On Sept 22, 2006 they launched the "Krystaal World Peace Tour" advocating peace -- politically, interpersonally and spiritually -- around the world. Keep On Standing - The Story of Krystaal chronicles their amazing journey and the miraculous series of events that reunited the brothers in Canada. This is a true story of hope, faith and deliverance.