Mike Chilewe partners Pro Pee to form record company
Blantyre-based young entrepreneur, Mike Chilewe Jnr, has teamed up with music producer Percy Manyozo, popularly known as Pro Pee to establish a new record company called Transformers MUSIC.
Chilewe is the son to one of the country’s tycoon Mike Chilewe of Mike’s Trading Company while Manyozo, owner of Pro Pee Records, is an urban music maker who has among other hits produced Maskal’s Udalire, Piksy’s Unamata and Armstrong’s Ndamusowa.
Before the partnership, the young Chilewe, who also runs Globe Media, had established SOC Media Group, which signed Lilongwe-based hip-hop artist, Gwamba, last year.
In an interview with Nyasa Times, Pro Pee confirmed the two were partners who were poised to work together in promoting artists in the country and Malawian music in general.
“He is the financial controller and I have experience in music so I figured the combination can do unlimited things as far as Malawian music is concerned,” he said.
As it joins other eminent local record companies such as Nde’feyo Entertainment, Nyimbo Music and Black Rhyno Entertainment, Transformers MUSIC brought China Love rapper and singer AyCee James as well as up-and-coming artist Bucci to join Gwamba at the stable.
“These are the artists that we will work with for a start,” said Manyozo. “There are a lot of benefits but since we just starting we not promising a lot but that we will try our best to deliver and take good care of our artist and make them feel safe.”
In a separate interview, AyCee James, who started her music career in the UK and arrived in Malawi during the festive season, said she expects Transformers MUSIC to work hand-in-hand with her dream of taking Malawi’s music scene further.
“I am expecting them to help me reach out and interact with all the people that have supported my music. My dream is to see Malawian artists nominated for awards at the BET’s and to also support one another,” said AyCee, born Atupele Mahata.
The artist, who is mostly attached to renowned Nigerian artists such as M.I, Ice Prince and Dr. SID, Malawian artists should start aiming high like musicians from the West.
“When it comes to entertainment, Nigeria is far ahead. If we could collaborate with them the same way they collaborate with British and American artists, it could boost our audience, not individually but as a country in whole.
“We need to realise that when one person makes it, they are carrying our flag and we need to be right behind them to support them,” she added.
AyCee, who has another single called My Africa, observed that when Nigeria’s D’banj collaborated with one of US’ successful and renowned hip-hop artists Snoop Dogg (now Snoop Lion), it didn’t mean every American artist wanted to collaborate with D’banj but went to look for more Nigerians like Wizkid, Davido and P-Square.
And speaking about his signing under Transformers MUSIC, AyCee’s label-mate Bucci, who was previously attached to Nde’feyo Entertainment as backing vocalist for the label’s Piksy, Armstrong and Trumel, said it was an amazing experience to clinch the deal.
Real name Mabucci Mwale, the teen singer said: “I don’t take this opportunity for granted at all, so I’m looking forward to an unforgettable journey with the label.”
“My dream has always been that I do big and do so much for my family. I believe God didn’t just bless me with such a gift for nothing, it’s a blessing to bless others. I dream to go big even internationally,” added the 19-year-old.
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