Malawi’s Urban Music Party returns after two-year break
Nde’feyo Entertainment has announced the return of Urban Music Party (UMP) promising spectacle and glamour after a two-year break with the 2013 main festival set to take place on Sunday, July 7 at Royal Palm Hotel in Blantyre.
Initiated in 2009, the annual urban talent and cultural event sets to re-concoct itself in renewed style strictly focusing on becoming a leading festival in urban arts event initiative in Malawi and beyond.
In a press statement Nde’feyo Entertainment Communications Manager Kimpho Loka said UMP creates a platform to celebrate and promote Malawian urban arts and culture thereby contributing to the country’s socioeconomic growth.
“The event will involve performances by various Malawian celebrated urban artists as well as up-and-coming ones, UMP Top Model, games and competitions of various forms, among others,” he said.
Loka added that prior to the main festival, UMP has lined up a number of activities in the major cities of the country, including UMP Malawi music nights where DJs will be playing strictly Malawian urban music coupled with live performances by top local urban musicians.
The date and venue for the first UMP Malawi music night is yet to be announced.
Loka said in the wake of increasing urbanization Malawi must have a voice in the global discourse adding that there is need to carve its identity and focus on its own priorities.
He said culture that is well preserved and uniquely described can help advance its people’s interest in all areas.
“Culture is dynamic and it should be allowed to serve the needs of its people.
“Urban culture with all different elements is very powerful in Malawi. Even though it is globally influenced, it is unique. If well-promoted it can advance the country’s efforts in many fields and arts are a powerful way of promoting culture and refining its unique identity.
“It is with this in mind that the UMP Festival was born. It is for Malawians and by Malawians but with a realization that we are part and parcel of a global movement. We need to promote Malawi urban arts if we are to compete on a global level,” he said.
He added that this can be done by Malawians themselves and UMP Festival also aims to touch on all important aspects of Malawian urban culture from dance, art, music, fashion and lifestyle.
He disclosed that invitations to the event will also be extended to other African acts, especially from the region.
UMP is a Malawian event initiative which aims at fostering socioeconomic growth through urban talent and culture. Nde’feyo Entertainment founded the initiative which boasts of an annual festival- The UMP – and other associated events and activities.
Previous UMP activities include the 2009 and 2010 main festivals, held at the now-destroyed Grin Bamboo in Blantyre and UMP themed University of Malawi (Unima) Alumni reunion held in 2010 at Chancellor College, Zomba.
The initiative is organized by a project team and plans are underway to turn the initiative into a trust.
UMP’s vision is to become a leading festival in urban arts event initiative in Malawi and Africa, with the mission to celebrate and promote Malawian urban arts and culture so as to contribute to the country’s socioeconomic growth.
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