Malawi’s gospel singer Chrissie Kanthunzi rocks Nairobi
Malawian gospel singer Chrissie Kamthunzi held an uplifting concert on Sunday, 25thNovember 2012 at the magnificent Valley Road Cathedral in Nairobi, Kenya.
Chrissie, who left Malawi eight years ago and settled in Kenya has seven albums to her name, two which have been produced while she has been in Kenya. She had never held a gospel concert in the eight years and the wait was well worth it’s while.
Backed by an all star band with musicians drawn from all over Nairobi’s church community and with background singers from Kenya and Malawi, she belted out a total of ten songs.
Golden oldies such as ‘Mukhale Oyamba’ and the more recent multi-language “Mulemekezedwe” got people dancing and worshiping their God! She drew songs from her seven albums as well as a few songs which are common South African choruses.
The cathedral was packed with enthusiastic worshipers, and when the MC wanted to know what nationalities were represented, it was pleasing to note that people from Zambia, Zimbabwe, Canada, South Sudan, Malawi, Kenya, and Congo among others had graced the occasion and come to support their sister.
Malawians in the congregation added flavor to the function by running to the front and dancing to songs that they liked, this being a practice unique to Malawi and very alien to Kenya.
Kenyan’s were overheard commenting that Malawians really like to dance!!
In a show of unity and solidarity, Chrissie was supported by several guest artists but the creme was internationally acclaimed Emmie Kosgei who had the house rocking to the core when she stepped on the stage and did three songs.
She was the toast of the afternoon when she pulled Chrissie from her seat and did an impromptu singing and dancing duet with her as she (Emmie) sang her famous song Ololo!
