LIFE OF AN UPCOMING ARTIST

https://youtu.be/5ntf-8FrEuE for the video click on the link to watch it. 

 

Joel Valeta

Without money life of an upcoming artist in the music industry has always proven to be hard. 

For others, its a mixture of financial hiccups and  ill treatment from show organisers.

Joel Valeta, known with his stage name 'Inkosi Jay Vee' said that up and coming artists are discouraged with how they are treated in some shows. He explains his experience.

"I remember on one of the big shows i was set to perform last year, I had to be dragged down the stage as they said we had to create the space for big artists, he said.

As embarrassing as it was," I nearly gave up on music", but he kepy going with fingers crossed hoping a time will come where he wont need to force his way around the stage.

As an upcoming artist, "I have to deal with a lot of pressure" which would have been a different story for him if he had good finances or sponsorship.

He said, "with a good financial foundation, an upcoming artist like me can go an extra mile".

The fact that recording sessions, promo, artworks all have to be paid for, its a living nightmare that Inkosi and most up and coming artists have to endure and go through. 

Inkosi, whose popular songs include Gamba, Ndiukire bwanji has among other big name artists collarated with Melz and 6th.

SUFFIX RETURNS WITH THE RELEASE OF NEW SINGLE 'MUTANI'

 

Suffix

Award-winning Gospel rapper, Suffix ends a year-long hiatus with the release of his brand new single “Mutani”.

Taking to social media, the rapper announced the release of his new song on Friday 24th February by posting the official date of release together with the project artwork of his new project.

Making a promise to his fans, the rapper had also clearly indicated that his next post would be a new song.

“My next post will be a New Song” he posted.

“Mutani” first premiered on MBC Radio 2 FM’s hit radio show ‘Made On Monday’ hosted by Joy Nathu before later hitting the streaming platforms for fans and public consumption.

As a way of engaging with people, the new song addresses the political rights and issues faced by today’s community in Africa, and Malawi to be specific. Already sparking frenzy through social media, the new song has been described as a “thought-provoking” song.

In his reaction, the rapper said that he would not be surprised if it gets people talking as this is exactly what he expects.

“I have my own way of addressing issues and sparking conversation and provoking thoughts as a people.

“I knew there will be three schools of thoughts: some will understand by just watching the video, some will understand by just listening to it, some would think this is a turn up song and that Suffix has started secular. That’s what’s happening on social media, especially Facebook,” Suffix explained.

“Mutani” is a song that describes how people in power (government) are able to influence others and by the use of their power in position are able to control the system and in the process limit the freedom of other people.

“I want those who are too poor to think and say no, we need to take these politicians to task over our taxes,” the rapper said.

As a rapper who is dedicated to addressing real-life problems, Suffix shows a genuine representation of this through his new song “Mutani”.

Aubrey Ghambi, popularly known by his stage name Suffix, is a Blantyre-based Hip-Hop artist from Malawi. Sticking close to his roots, the rapper has well independently grown to become one of the many celebrated icons known for carrying and lifting the Malawian flag to the international scene within the music industry.

The musician has one solo mixtape titled D.O.S (Death of Secular), and two studio albums namely “Before I Sleep”, and “To Whom It May Concern” under his belt. He also bagged an award for Africa-Based Artist of The Year (2021) for Rapzilla.com, beating Limoblaze, Angeloh, Rehmahz, Drakare, and Spillz-Ochai making him the first Malawian musician to be featured on the online Christian magazine music platform.

As a chart-topping artist, he has one solo mixtape titled D.O.S (Death of Secular) and produced other hit singles including “Misozi”, “Yobwata”, “Tili Mom’mo”, “Tayaka”, “Kutali” (ft. Pompi), and D.Y.M. just to name a few.

KENDALL KAMWENDOBRINGS SECOND MOVIE

 

A scene in the movie 

Well-known musician Kendall Kamwendo of the Symon and Kendall fame has crafted a new film titled School Days, following up on his debut 2015 romantic film Where My Heart Belongs.

Having won souls with Where My Heart Belongs, where the Lilongwe-based musician exposed his other arty flair and thirst for films apart from music, Kendall is out with his second movie to be premiered on May 5 2023 at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.

He said Tuesday that the film, which he has scripted together with Lawrence Nyale, has taken him a year to put together.

“Now the film is ready for the market. We just had to make sure everything is in black and white before reaching out to people,” Kendall said.

He said School Days is a film that has been inspired by the life that people experience at school.

“This is a film that wants to remind people of their school time and, at the same time, we want to advocate love among students, especially those in secondary school, that they should refrain from teasing and bullying,” Kendall said.

He said ahead of the premiere, they will release a trailer this coming Friday.

“I have always said that I am someone who is so passionate about art. Music is something I love more but film is another discipline that has always excited me but I have been reluctant to tap into it. Having released my debut movie, people have pushed me to work on another one, hence School Days,” Kendall said.

He said he has worked with a number of experienced players in the film industry. The cast of the film includes Kendall and fellow musician Rudo Mkukupa Chakwera, Tumpe Mtaya, Yvonne Chanache, Amos Filisa, Desire Namachotsa and Blessed Chimombo.

Recently, Film Association of Malawi President Gift Sukez Sukali said the film industrycontinues to make steady progress and that filmmakers were on their toes producing quality films.

ARTIST FOR MARTYR’S DAY CELEBRATION

 

Some artists have come together to celebrate this year’s Martyr’s Day on March 3 through music, dance and theatre.

In separate interviews, the artists said the day is of great importance to the country’s history which if well understood can shape and influence the future.

Ethnomusicologist Waliko Makhala, who will perform in Lilongwe at Evergreen Cafe alongside Afro-spiritual musician Nyago, said the day should be celebrated in an African way.

“The men and women who lost their lives while fighting for our freedom are our ancestors who should be celebrated with song and dance. We are not supposed to be sad, but celebrate their bravery,” he said.

Makhala said he has teamed up with Codi and Nyago for the free show because they felt it is not right to cash in on dead heroes.

“It will be a free show because it is a celebration. In our African way, we do not pay for a celebration. We just celebrate and that should be our way of remembering our martyrs, especially those who are less known,” he said.

On her part, Nyago said as a spiritualist, she finds the event befitting as it will give her an opportunity to honour ancestors who died for the country’s freedom.

“I have always said my music is a calling and not really for commercial purposes. The ancestors called me and I will not disappoint them. On this day, we will honour them for their role in the freedom we are enjoying today,” she said.Nyago said her playlist on the day will include Mizimu, Kamzanga and Bible, among other songs.

Another activity that will take place on the day is a theatre production by Youth Developers Collaboration, called Operation Mandala:1915.

In an interview, the playwright Fumbani Phiri said as theatre artists, it is their role to celebrate the day using their storytelling talent.

“As the voice of the society, we will use our voice to reflect on what our forefathers sacrificed for our freedom. There were many who are until today not celebrated, but played crucial roles during the time. The play will highlight all that of course with John Chilembwe being part of the story,” he said.

Phiri said Malawians should know that theatre is back and they should patronise the event at Jacaranda Cultural Centre which will also incorporate music.

Martyr’s Day is a public holiday in Malawi, set aside to honour political heroes who were arrested and killed between March 3 1959 to June 16 1960 following riots against the British colonial government rule

KUWALA CREATIVES PARTNERS INHOUSE MEDIA TO HOST MALAWI NIGHT LIVE SHOW THIS WEEKEND

Imaan

 Malawi’s renowned talent agency, Kuwala Creatives, has partnered with InHouse Media to host a night live music show in Blantyre this coming Saturday. 

According to Kuwala Creatives Chief Executive Officer Dennis Imaan, the event which is dubbed ‘Malawi Night Live’, will be held on 4th March, 2023 at Scallas Cafe, from 4pm till late and it will feature performances from some of Malawi’s top artists.

Imaan disclosed to Malawi24 that at the auspicious occasion, some big names in Malawi’s music circle such as Hyphen, Zonke, Mellz, Rina, and Aycee James just to mention a few, will be exchanging the stage with the talent they are best known for.

While expressing the company’s commitment to promoting Malawian music and culture, the CEO said the show gives local artists an opportunity to showcase the best of their talent, thereby helping artists to reach out to new audiences.

He then indicated that preparations are at an advanced stage for the mouth-watering event and patrons should expect nothing but a superb experience.

“We are very happy that the time is nearing and we are very hopeful that Malawians will enjoy the Malawi Night Live ever than before,” said Imaan.

Imaan further pointed out that the grant will enable Kuwala Creatives to create new opportunities for Malawian artists and businesse, and also raise the profile of Malawian music and culture.

The Malawi Night Live Show whose entry fee has been pegged at K2000, will feature a range of activities including eating and drinking competition and games. DJ Maya will make sure that everyone who gets in, dances to his outstanding mixing. 

He continued by revealing that the series of the Malawi Night Live Shows will be sponsored by a grant from Copyright Society of Malawi (COSOMA) which he described as a significant boost for both Kuwala Creatives and the local music industry.

InHouse Media founder Fatsani Kalonda commonly known as Blakjak, said the event is really an opportunity in disguise for new talents to shine and a chance for local businesses to showcase their products and services.

PRODUCER APOLOGISES OVER 'EXPLICIT' SONG

 

Tapps Bandawe

Music producer Tapps Bandawe has apologised over a song he produced for musician Dan Lu which some sections of society have deemed too explicit.

In an interview yesterday, the producer said he should have done better.

“Being a seasoned producer and veteran in the music industry and having produced music that has entertained and uplifted many throughout the years, I would like to stress that in hindsight, I should have known better,” he said.

Bandawe said he had no excuses and should have known better before producing the song.

“From today onwards, I will dedicate myself to doing what I do best which is producing music that serves for the betterment of humanity and Malawian morals,” he concluded.

In an earlier interview, deputy no okdirector of arts responsible for censorship Anganile Nthakomwa said they received numerous complaints from the public over the song.

“We met the producer and he has promised to do something about the situation. We are meeting the artist as well. We do not want them to withdraw the song, but modify it so that the strong language is removed,” she said.

Nthakomwa said the song contravenes sections 23 and 24 of the Censorship and Control of Entertainment Act which prohibits “any person who imports, prints statue or publishes, possesses, manufactures, makes or produces, distributes, exhibits or sells or offers or keeps for sale any publication pictures or record which is undesirable or which is indecent or obscene is offensive or harmful to public moral.”Take my body talks about sexual desires and pleasure and is done in Chichewa and English.