Malawi artists pay tribute to rapper Revolver at UMP Awards
The 2016 UMP Awards which took place on Sunday turned out to be a Revolver tribute show as artists paid homage to the departed Malawian rapper at any given opportunity.
Real name Kenneth Muwamba, born on 28 September 1989, Revolver was pronounced dead on Sunday 6 November 2016.
According to reports, the artist succumbed to gastric cancer.
First to pay his tribute was Lilongwe based “Cholapitsa” hit maker Phyzix.
In the middle of his performance, Phyzix gave a hint to confirm the rumours that were trending on social media.
He said, “We have heard the sad news. We indeed have lost one of our own. UMP will update you as the show progresses.”
Taking her turn, female rapper Rina did not waste time to address the elephant in the room.
Before her performance, she said: “Revolver is gone. We have lost a friend. Let us all remember the music that he gave us. He worked tirelessly to entertain us all. Revolver will be missed.”
Concurring with Rina, Blantyre based rapper Fredokiss asked the crowd for a moment of silence.
“Let us have a moment of silence for our brother Revolver. We have lost a friend and a brother. Let us celebrate his life,” Fredokiss said.
Taking it on Facebook on Monday, Revolver’s friend and manager posted: “I met a friend, a wonderful friend when I was very young. We grew up together, played and went to primary, secondary and college together. To many, you are an idol. You paved a way for a lot of people. For those who hated you didn’t know you as much as I do.
“I’ve been the closest friend you have ever had and I knew your heart, but today just when we were talking about our new project I was supposed to come see you after that short battle you had in the hospital. Am speechless. Only God can comfort me. I have lost my best friend. To many you were Revolver. To me you where Kenneth. I pray you rest in peace.”
He added: “For those wishing to attend the funeral, Ken was staying in sunny side near porters lodge, houses right before Manyowe Bridge. If you’re in Blantyre take a Manyowe bus at mibawa upper stands and drop on stage called escom. Gathering will be their today and burial will take place on 8 November at HHI cemetery.
Until his demise, Revolver was a co-founder and member of Trap Squad Entertainment, the record label to which Trap Squad is signed to. He is one of Malawi’s most popular hip hop artists, best known for his 2011 song ”Sindidanda”.
As an underground rapper he released his first solo mixtape in 2009 titled ”Hardcore blues”, the mixtape which did not do well and its singles hardly got any radio play.
He gained underground recognition in 2010 after releasing his second mixtape, ”The Ridiculous LP”. The mixtape included the songs ”Hustle ngati m’mwenye” and the controversial ”Take you to hell” which both featured the Daredevilz.
“Hustle Ngati Mmwenye” remix featured Rina, Dare Devilz, Jaxstar and K-Bonnie. The video was shot and directed by Ron Cz. One of the first videos he directed.
He followed this up with his debut album, ‘New Dawn’ in 2011 which earned him mainstream popularity. The album’s most notable single was ”Sindidanda” and its remix which was the year’s most popular hip hop song. His next album was 2012’s ”Chilembwe ndi Madona”.
The album did not receive any promotion after he conflicted with his sponsors just before the singles were released; this eventually led to cancellation of his album launch.
Revolver formed his own record label, Trap Entertainment, with his manager Ron Cz. He has also co-directed a number of music videos with Ron, these include Stich fray’s ”4 minus 3”, Hypa’s ”Otis remix” and some of his own videos like ”Sindidanda remix”, ”Friends with benefits”, “So What” among others.
Trap Squad’s new 2016 song “Uncle Bae” featuring Bucci, released few weeks ago, is currently enjoying airplay.
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