‘Best of Lucius’ out of APM deal hits market April end
The much awaited collection of best hits of the country’s legendary artist, Lucius Banda is expected to come out this month end after the artist opted the album out of Afro Platinum Media (APM) deal.
Initially the ‘Best of Lucius’- a collection of his previous songs- was slated to hit the market in February this year but has been delayed as he could not find some of the songs set to be featured in the compilation.
Banda in an exclusive interview with Nyasa Times disclosed that the 40-track album was exclusively done outside the music publishing contract he signed with APM, a South African leading company, which is still running.
“Some of the songs were hard to find and that has derailed the project, but inspite the delays, ‘Best of Lucius’ is coming out April end with a launch slated for May 3rd in Blantyre,” explained Banda.
He added: “Initially it was supposed to be done under Afro Platinum and for them to release it, it was supposed to go through another mixing in their studios in South Africa, and I am busy (with political campaigns) I couldn’t spare time that’s why it’s coming out under Zembani music. And it is being treated like an old thing. The contract is still running of course and, we will start with a new project”.
Banda said it was difficult to balance up between music and politics and, described the compilation as ‘a must have for every Lucius Banda fan’.
“It’s hard really being in campaign period, but I can’t keep people waiting. The album will have 40 songs. They are evergreen of course. Few have been redone but still sounding the same, and some are live”.
The project has been produced by Uncle Lai , his elder brother Paul Banda as well as Tapps Bandawe.
In December Banda signed a music publishing contract with APM, which is based in Johannesburg, which will be responsible for the distribution of his work in South African music stores and beyond.
APM offers a one stop shop for music, film production, packaging, distribution and marketing, among others. On its roster, it has artists from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Angola.
Lucius Banda, born in 1970 is one of the country’s musicians cum politician. Banda started his musical career in the Alleluya Band, but later formed his own band, Zembani.
He is regarded as the first local musician to sing openly against political oppression in Malawi during the decades of one-party rule. He was controversial to Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda as well as late President Bingu wa Mutharika’s regime.
And he is also considered as one of the country’s music godfathers after he helped some of popular musicians in the likes of Mlaka Maliro, Paul Chaphuka, and Billy Kaunda among others to begin their careers.
He has in recent times changed his music genre after many musicians copied his style. Some of his albums include Cease Fire, Take Over, Yahweh, Son of Poor Man, 15-15- my song and Cell 51, Survivor.
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