Nde’feyo unveils new signings, Namadingo joins label
Lilongwe-based renowned gospel musician Patience Namadingo and flourishing teenage female singer Mada Ngoleka have landed record deals with Malawi’s leading music company Nde’feyo Entertainment.
The two youthful singers, aged 23 and 17, respectively, sealed their deals with the company, through its newly-established sub-label Ndefeyo Gospel last month, but were officially unveiled Thursday.
This settles down speculations that have been circulating in the local press that the company was venturing into gospel music with the signing of the ‘Mtendere’ hit maker and an anonymous artist, now revealed as Ngoleka.
Nde’feyo Entertainment, among others, also runs Nde’feyo Music, a sub-label which is into secular urban music and is home for some of the country’s hotshots namely Piksy, Armstrong, Biriwiri and Maziko Band.
“For over two years we have been approached by different Malawian artists and promoters to assist or partner in one way or another in the local gospel industry.
“The establishment of Ndefeyo Gospel and the consequential signing of the two artists is part of growth as a business, driven by a real conviction to uplift the gospel music industry,” says the company in a statement made available to Nyasa Times.
The company becomes the first in Malawi to seal recording deals with gospel musicians and as indicated in the statement, Nde’feyo will be able to apply their expertise in the music industry to take gospel music in the country higher.
Transformation
On the two singers, whose deals are “360 degrees” as they include recording, management, touring, promotion and distribution, Nde’feyo says: “We are blessed that we are starting with two young, pleasant and talented artists in Patience and Mada.”
And commenting on his signing, Namadingo, who was one of the best-selling gospel artists between 2010 and 2012 with his album Tiri ndi Yesu, describes the deal as a milestone in his journey as an artist.
In an interview with Nyasa Times, he said: “This is a dream come true and I cherish this deal so much. Everybody knows it’s high time we started taking music as a serious career and being under good management, I am thankful to God.”
In her words, Mada, a resident of Manja, but grew up in the UK where she was exposed to music at school and church, says she is excited to be signed to Nde’feyo.
“This deal will make a huge transformation in my music career, not only that but it will also help me to get to places, bigger platforms and minister to a wider audience, which would not be possible if I were not signed to any label,” she said.
While growing up in the UK, Mada was exposed to the indie genre of music. Her music life started at Brampton Manor in London where she was doing her A-Levels, music being one of her subjects and the guitar her best instrument.
