Malawi artists make it big in Zambia
Its obvious Malawians have fallen in love with foreign music especially Zambian music. Clubs, parties and weddings are now centre-stage for Zambian music a clear indication how passionate the locals are towards the neighbours’ work of art.
Ironically, in what would be dubbed as unexpected circumstance, Malawian artists seem to have found solace in Zambia with Mlaka Maliro, Skeffa Chimoto, Maskal and Thomas Chibade making impressive strides among the Zambians.
According to an assessment Nyasa Timesdid, it has been found out that most of Zambians detest most of songs done by their local artists due to what is called “obscene lyrics” and are now in love with Malawian music due to its in-depth message and “clean lyrics”.
Currently, on the top list of Malawian artists most listened to by Zambians is the 2011 singing sensational Maskal and Skeffa followed by Mlaka Maliro and Thomas Chibade. Others include Black Missionaries, Lawrence Benjere and Moses Makawa.
Demand
A Zambian journalist Cynthia Chimutsu disclosed in an interview that Malawian artists have a future in Zambia due to how their songs are done.
She said most Zambians love Malawi music due to its message, which she said is real and creatively crafted in the songs.
“Here most artists do songs that have questionable lyrics, and most people feel offended by the message in such songs. Although some of the artists have good music but I feel Malawian artists need to take advantage now to penetrate Zambia because most people here love their music and their videos are on high demand,” Chimutsu said.
And Tijo Masumbu a Malawian based in Zambia said Malawian music videos are on high demand in Zambia due to their story line and how are shot.
“Music videos from Malawi have story line that is understandable by everyone. They are selling like hot cakes and vendors here are cashing on Malawian artists, I think it’s time Malawians need to start exporting their music here because they are losing a lot,” Masumbu said.
Partnership
However, in reaction to the news, Chibade said it was difficult to benefit from his music’s popularity in Zambia due to lack of partnerships between Malawi and Zambian promoters.
“I am happy that my music is even selling in Zambia but there is nothing I can do so that I also benefit from such sells. There is a need for local promoters to work with other promoters from Zambia so that we can start selling our music in that country legally or even holding shows just like the Zambians are doing here,” Chibade said in a phone interview.
And Ndefeyo Entertainment, who are promoting Maskal while being excited about the issue, said it would need heavy investment to start exporting local artists’ music to Zambia as well as other countries.
“It has been our wish to see local artists making it big in other countries. The news that Maskal and other artists are currently making impact on Zambians without our effort to penetrate that country’s music market is an exciting one and we will see what we should do to ensure our artists start benefiting from such developments,” reads a statement from Ndefeyo in response to the issue.
For several years now, Zambian artists have made inroads into Malawi holding shows under the invitation of local promoters. Surprisingly none of Malawian artists has managed to perform in Zambia.
Some of the Zambians artists have visited Malawi include K’millian, Dalisoul, Oga Family, JK, the Third, Davee and General Kanene among others.
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