Andrew Matrauza, who emerged into the Malawi’s music scene with his hit ‘musadabwe’ has died.

Matrauza died Thursday morning at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) in the commercial capital Blantyre after a long illness.

Confirming the development, Joseph Tembo who produced Matrauza’s Musadabwe Album expressed shock.

On his part, Musicians Union of Malawi (MUM) president Reverend Chimwemwe Mhango has described Matrauza’s death as a big loss to the music industry in the country.

Meanwhile details of the burial ceremony are still sketchy.

 His father told the Dailytimes on Tuesday that his son has not been well since his return from South Africa in July where he has been in search of greener pastures.

“We came here on Friday, he has not been well but as of today the situation has greatly improved. We are waiting for tests which will be conducted because he has been complaining of stomach pains,” said the musician’s father.

Gospel singer Thoko Suya who visited Matrauza on Monday called on fellow musicians to pray for him.

Matrauza came onto the limelight after releasing songs such as ‘Musadabwe,’ which enjoyed airplay in most of the local radio stations, entertainment centres and wedding ceremonies.

The musician featured in most of Tembo’s music videos which enjoyed airplay on MBC TV and he also featured Tembo in some of his music videos.

The post ‘Musadabwe’ Hit Maker Andrew Matrauza Dies appeared first on Malawi Voice.

Rediyo, an upcoming arts, music, and entertainment mobile application, will on Friday be presenting the “Discover Series” at the Bingu International Conference Center (BICC) Auditorium from 8 o’clock in the evening to kick start the Mothers’ Day weekend.

The Mothers’ Day themed event will feature an all-star cast with performances by hip hop artists Third Eye, Gwamba and Young Kay in honour of all mothers with a special guest performance by music veteran Maria Chidzanja Nkhoma.

In a statement sent to this reporter, Third Eye, creator and founder of the Rediyo App said the Discover Series – Mother’s Day Special will be a game changer and the beginning of an exciting journey for music lovers, fans and Malawian artists.

As the first artist to be featured on the Rediyo Discover Series events, Third eye will on the night perform songs from his upcoming 8th album called “Highly Underrated” with backing from the Harmless Soul Band and curation by the Chanco Travelling Theatre.

“With a music show fused with art and sports and in a venue like the BICC auditorium, this show will be ground breaking in the history of music in Malawi,” Third Eye explained.

The Rediyo “Discover Series” is a periodic spotlight on an artist on the about to be released mobile phone application. An artist will be featured for a set period of time and afterwards, a show with the featured artist will be held at a venue to be communicated.

Rediyo is a mobile phone application for music and entertainment that will allow users to stream and download music using mobile money.

The post Third Eye, Gwamba, Maria Chidzanja Nkhoma In A Mother’s Day Special Show appeared first on Malawi Voice.

Malawi’s First Lady Madame Gertrude Mutharika on Saturday spent the entire  day interacting and chilling with fellow mothers from across the country during Mothers Day Celebration held along the beautiful beaches of Lake Malawi in Mangochi. Sporting and cultural activities were some of the that punctuated the event. State House Photo Journalist Jafali Ntaja Captured the event in pictures.

The post Mothers Day Celebrations With The First Lady (Pictorial Focus) appeared first on Malawi Voice.

Blantyre City Mayor Noel Chalamanda will next week Wednesday, October 21,2015 host Corporates to a special event dubbed “The Miss Blantyre Corporate Night” at Ryalls Hotel.

The event has been a unique arrangement made by Blantyre City Council in readiness for the Miss Blantyre Beauty Pageant that will take place on October 30, 2015 at College of Medicine.

“As a Council, we believe youth should never be leaders of tomorrow, rather of today and be supported in areas of their strength and enterprise,” said Anthony Kasunda, the Council’s Public Relations Manager.

“Fashion and pageants are something which excites a lot of young people and it is almost every girl’s dream to be a queen. Whoever wins will take up social and community roles to lead fellow youth into responsible and active citizenry” he said.
Kasunda further said as part of the grand prize to the winner, this year’s Miss Blantyre will during her tenure of office, be an ambassador for the Keep Blantyre City Clean and Green Initiative.

This campaign has been Blantyre’s popular investment as the city is empowering residents to practice health and sanitation measures for the health of their lives and the beauty of the City.

He mentioned rehabilitationof roundabouts and other sites in the City as some of the activities the Council is implementing in partnership with corporate residents.

Through the current Miss Blantyre Nerani Nthara, the city also targets primary schools as one area where kids should be taught with more emphasis to keep their schools clean as such behavior goes even at home and nurtures responsible citizens.

During the Corporate night, the Mayor will present his vision for Blantyre youth and also interact with fellow decision makers over a cocktail which has been sponsored by BizMalawi.

On their support for Miss Blantyre, BizMalawi’s Managing Director Tarang Makhecha said they recognize the importance of supporting youth activities as part of development.

He said Blantyre City Council, as a government arm, can only thrive if there is a good working relationship with the corporate community.

Preparations for Miss Blantyre 2015 are at a very advanced stage and 15 ladies have so far made the final list.

Chairperson for the Miss Blantyre Pageant Daniel Ngwira is confidently promising the public a phenomenal night which will have not just the parades by the ladies but also an innovation called brand exhibition as a category.

In this concept, contestants will be challenged to model and represent a business, company or organisation and that when the public will see them, they should be able to see the institution.

Said Ngwira: “Judges will have a very busy night to assess all these qualities. He said this will also help the ladies develop enterprise skills as after this experience, they will have interests from companies to work as brand ambassadors, sales consultants and even as models for advertising. Hence, this is a stepping stone.”

Outgoing Miss Blantyre Nerani Nthara has called on successful women in the country to support Miss Blantyre activities as most girls look up to them as role models.

“I look forward to a day when these great women can speak their stories to us,” said Nthara.

The last Miss Blantyre was conducted on 6^th December 2013 and last year was silent due to sponsorship problems. This year, Blantyre City Council has empowered the event and still lobbies for sponsorship as it attracts heavy expenditure lines to live up to its billing.

The post Celebrity Mayor Chalamanda To Host Miss Blantyre Corporate Night Wednesday At Ryalls Hotel appeared first on Malawi Voice.

Pink World, one of Lilongwe’s Top Notch Fashion Bridal Boutiques has organized a Christmas Fair to take place at the Game Complex from December 12–13 2015.

In a brief interview with the Malawi Voice, Pink World’s founder Blessing Christian said people should expect a colourful event with a lot of splendor and glamour.

“We are therefore inviting people all kind of businesses to participate in the fair,” she said.

Among other things to be displayed during the fair are food, clothing,décor, kid stuff, tattoos, face painting in Game Complex. Sellings stalls in 25000 each day.

Those who would like to participate should contact Christian on 0992 163 653 and 0991073528

The post Pink World To Host X-mas Fair At Game Complex appeared first on Malawi Voice.

While Dustin Kapitapita may have pocketed almost all the credit for the one time chat topping gospel album ‘Diso Langa’, there was another little known hand that contributed 50 percent of the songs in that album and its subsequent success. That other hand was that of Gift Mlenga. Get to know him as he speaks to Malawi Voice

MV: To begin with, who is Gift Mlenga?

GM: Gift Mlenga is just a man who was born a musician and can play any kind of instrument. MV: Where is all this coming from?

I started singing when I was young and I inherited it from my mum who was singing in a choir and I used to accompany her when she was going for practices. She is my main inspiration in as far as music.

But my first serious entry into music was when I worked with Dustain Kapitapita in ‘Diso Langa’. We did 14 songs and 7 of the tracks were mine.

MV: So where exactly are you now with music?

GM: I have a latest project and it is called General (Jesus Christ is my General) and it’s my second studio album. It has a total of 10 tracks.

MV: Any song in General (Jesus Christ is my General), that is special to you or your audience?

GM: ‘Bwezi Langa’ is the song that most including myself would relate to. I talk about how God created love to stay forever not as something temporary. But the whole album has got something for everyone and songs for different situations that we meet as soldiers in God’s kingdom.

MV: Where did you record the album?

GM: Different studios. Tracks like Tumeni, Mwini wake ndi Inu, Bwera Udzaone where recorded at Exclussive Studios, while Tilipo, General, Tilalike Bwanji, Bwenzi Langa and Kukhala Naye were recorded at Mwai K Studios.

MV: Do you always mean what you say in your music?

GM: I do Gospel music and I mean what I sing because it’s the word of God that I am relaying to my hearers. MV: Where would you like to see Malawi music industry in the near future?

MV: Where do you want to see Malawian music in the next near future?

GM: I would like to see Malawi music reaching the whole world because Malawian artists are now doing well in music than before; be it urban or gospel genres.

MV: What else do you do apart from music?

GM: I do business. Different kinds of business as long as they aren’t illegal.

MV: Lastly, what’s your favourite dish, and any individual in history?

GM: My favourite dish is nsima with therere lobala. Favourite person in history is King David. He was a man after God’s own heart and when he sinned he was able to come back.

The post Get To Know Gift Mlenga: Gospel Artist appeared first on Malawi Voice.

Armed with milky voices, she has gone into a territory where few women survives and she promises herself to stay in and make music that will break boundaries. Few tracks she has produced preach testimony of a 19yearold girl on a mission. Her name is Fortune, get to know her as she speaks to Austin Kakande

Who are you?

I am Fortune Nkhoma, but when doing music I go by just my first name, Fortune.

I am just a 19year old girl who tries to be the best in everything she does.

Journey into music?

I grew up in a Christian family and got introduced into a choir at the tender age of 5. And one of my memorable moments in those initiation times was when my mum bought me a choir uniform.

Then I made a first serious step into music at the age of 13 when I collaborated with Cypher in a hip hop track.

So where are you now?

I am currently putting together my first project. I have recorded a number of tracks, with two of them ‘summer love’ an afro-pop track and ‘not money’ done in reggae currently enjoying airplays in our radio stations.
Afro-pop and reggae?

Yes. You see, I am introducing myself while I am still searching for my real bearing that is why I am experimenting with a number of genres that include reggae, R ‘n’ B, Hip hop and many others.

But I think its my reggae track that many radio stations are in love with so I might be going that route.

Are you happy with the current state of music industry?

No. not at all. Currently one has just to make a name and it ends there. I am looking to the time when music will be a serious business venture.

 Where exactly do you plan to go with music?

Most of the time its hard to predict the future. However I hope to have contributed something significant to the growth of the music industry at the end of it all.

I want to nurture my abilities up to the level where I will be able to manage my own music company professionally.

I would love to die a girl who has contributed significantly to the growth of music industry in the country.

Who is your idol, locally?

I idolize Trumel, who is also recording my music. He is one of the very talented but down-to-earth individual I have ever known.

Last words?

I just want to encourage all the talented youth out there to come out. There was a reason God gave them such talents and it doesn’t give Him honour to just sit on it. Let come out and work hard to make a positive impact in the music industry. Lets give music its true meaning and colour.

The post Get to Know Fortune: Urban Music Artist appeared first on Malawi Voice.

South Africa’s award-winning songstress Lira and her Love Band arrive in Malawi this afternoon ahead of the inaugural Standard Bank-sponsored Blue Mingoli concert Saturday evening.

According to an official itinerary seen by Malawi Voice Lira will jet in at 12:45 pm at Kamuzu International Airport before holding a press conference at Standard Bank Malawi head offices at 15:00 pm.

Lira is later expected to interact with the bank’s employees and sign autographs, ahead of the Saturday concert which Standard Bank says is going to be memorable.

The musician, who performs together with a four-member group called the Love Band said she looks forward to entertaining a new audience.

“I look forward to share my music with a new audience–Malawi has been on my bucket list for some time and I’m so excited that I can finally visit,” she said.

Lira is expected to jet in with her four member Love Band comprising keyboardist Vicky “Mavikaro” Mngomezulu, bassist Earl “Breezy” Baartman, guitarist Kenton Lee Windvogel and drummer/vocalist Joshua “JStar” Zacheus.

The quartet has been collaborating with Lira for over 10 years.

Lira and her band will size up with Malawi’s contemporary hit maker Lawrence Khwisa, aka Lulu who is the supporting musician.

The post Lira and the Love Band arrive today appeared first on Malawi Voice.

Jamaican artist Busy Signal lived up to his promise as he mesmerized Malawian funs by putting up a massive performance at the 2015 Sand Music Sand Festival in the lakeshore district of Salima at the weekend.
Speaking during the show, the 33-year-old reggae star said he was honored to have performed in the Warm Heart of Africa as Malawi is fondly called.
It was a two-and-a-half hour night of fun for patrons at the 2015 Sand Music Festival when Busy Signal performed on the night of October 31 on the beaches of Livingstonia Sunbird Hotel.
Busy Signal came on stage at exactly 11:33 pm, smartly dressed in a grey jacket, blue shirt, black bowtie, black pants and black shoes, and he leaved up to his promise of a massive night of pure Jamaican reggae.
Busy Signal told his fans, who could not stop singing along to his music as he performed, that he believes in putting up a 100% performance regardless of where and who he is performing for – be it at a children’s party, wedding ceremony or any other place in the world.
He said he could not believe the vibe and love that Malawians put up during his performance.
The night got even hotter when he took a case of beer and sat on it and asked his fans to sing along to the Gambler hit song, originally done by Kenny Rogers. At this moment he absolutely sent the crowd wild.
It may not be wrong to conclude that any person who attended this year’s Sand Music Festival will live to remember the day the HOTTED President, as Busy Signal calls himself, performed at the event.
Most patrons have rated this year’s event as the best so far, and also appreciate the level of security, organization and time management.

Malawian Afro-R&B musician Maskal has released new songs “Mnyumba Mwanga” and “Gwiritsa”, which came out on Tuesday, 24th November 2015.

“Mnyumba Mwanga” is a song that talks about a bachelor convincing a woman to settle down with him to make his home complete as people have been mocking him for an empty, unfriendly house because there’s no woman in it.

While in “Gwiritsa”, gets Maskal singing about a relationship which is going through stormy weather and as a man he’s restoring hope as he tells his woman to hold on and stay focused because he’s right by her side and no matter what they go through, the sun will shine again tomorrow.

“I am happy that finally I have new material out. I took time to put out new music because I wanted to bring something different and unique from what’s on the market. My new album will be coming out after close to four years of no full project and I’m sure it will be worth the wait,” said Maskal on the new music.

The two tracks, both in vernacular Chichewa, are taken from the singer’s upcoming untitled album that Maskal has been working on for a year and is scheduled for release within the first quarter of the year 2016.

The project is 85 percent complete. This will be the artist’s third album following his 2011 and 2012 releases, “Nthawi” and “Umunthu”, respectively.

Patience Namadingo’s latest offering ‘Msati Mseke’ is worthy Mk760, 000 in the ‘Lero’ album that has cost him about Mk1.2million to produce.

He said before releasing ‘Msati Mseke’ for public consumption, the hit single passed through the hands of about five producers and session artists, who included Sonye, Vitu and OBK.

“The whole album has not been as expensive as compared to ‘Msati Mseke’-that song alone has taken us about Mk760, 000 to produce the audio and the video. And after spending that much on one song, it did not prove us wrong as we managed to get the exact results that we wanted.

“This song was experimental. It was the first in the album, and it has managed to anchor the whole project,” he said.

Namadingo explained: “Way before I even embarked on this project, I opened a separate bank account. All the money that I have been making for the past year I have been depositing in that account. However, all that money was consumed by one song, Msati Mseke.

“However, it is the success of this song that has financed the production of the rest of the songs in the album. So I can confidently tell Malawians that it is very possible to make a name and fortune with only one song.”

According the musician, all ten songs in the album, titled ‘Lero’ were produced by a live recording with a band.

Meanwhile, Namadingo is set to launch ‘Lero’ album at Comesa Hall in Blantyre tomorrow evening.

Artist Lawi, at a live performance in Blantyre recently, gave his audience a feel of the contents of his forth coming album set to be recorded in Paris, France in January next year.

In one of the songs, ‘Kulira kwa Tambala’, the ‘Amaona Kuchedwa’ hit maker preaches unity of purpose calling Malawians to let go their political and regionalistic egos and come together to develop the country.
“We have a lot of work to do for this country. Forget politics, forget where you come from to develop this country, we need to come together to just think the same and do the same for the sake of this country. We can have different regimes coming in and go, but Malawi will still remain the same,” he said of the song.

In another song, ‘Mtendere’, which he fused afro-soul and Jamaican roots-rock-reggae, Lawi talks of the need for the whole world to realize that peace is a must have element if humanity is to progress.

“We can’t do without peace right now. There is so much going on in the world; confusion in France and many other parts of Africa. We really need to feel for the people living in these countries. I really believe that as much as we have people among us with weaked intentions, with weaked hearts, but still more we have a lot of people who know what is good and what is wrong, then why choose to do wrong?

Away from activism, Lawi jump into spiritual realms with ‘Ambuye Pobwera’, which he said: “As a Christian, I long for the day when I shall see Jesus Christ coming back into the world. Through my longing I found myself writing this song expressing my feeling. I can’t just wait. The way the bible pictures the events of Jesus’s coming, I really want to be part of that.”
Meanwhile, the artist is bound for Kenya where is set to perform at a festival in that country later this month.

R ‘n’ B musician Dan Kalima has unveiled three promotional singles for his yet-to-be titled album which is set for release in January 2016.

The three single singles, titled Tabwera, Ndiwandani and Usaope were produced by Blantyre based Percy ‘Propee’ Manyozo.

Of ‘Tabwera’, Kalima said: “the magic you create when you have someone and then at some point the person that you are always used to leaves and go somewhere else for a long time. So you feel life is no longer complete without that person. So this is all a cry of a lonely heart that has just realized that it cannot do all by itself and is loudly calling for its companion.”

While in ‘Ndiwandani’, Kalima said it’s just a confusion in the mind of a love-seeker who always meet someone by coincidence and is wondering at a distance: ‘is there anyone in your life? ’

And in ‘Usaope’, the African Music Awards nominee said is just a continuation of the other two songs, that after having her, the man is now assuring her of maximum protection.

Dan Kalima came into Malawi music scene in a rather controversial way after emerging from almost nowhere to win the Best R ‘n’ B artist in February 2015.

Previously, he traded under the banner of Sirius.

Four contestants in the ongoing E-wallet Search for a star contest will be sent packing come Saturday evening.

Events project manager for E-wallet search for a star Anthony Kafuwa said so far, the organisers are confident with the voting pattern.

“Voting is going on very well. The votes are inscripted. We only know the results on the day. And according to the feedback we are getting, the voting pattern is alright,” said Kafuwa.

Meanwhile, Kafuwa said gospel musician Ethel Kamwendo is set to perform on the second eviction show, slated for Blantyre.

During the launch of this year’s episode of the contest, Edgar ndi Davis performed, while Patience Namadingo performed during its first eviction show.

According to Kafuwa, other artists filed to perform in in the contest’s next shows include Lucius Banda.

So far, four contestants, namely, Annie Kapanga, Enerst Masi, Mwayi Matiti and Shadreck Amos got evicted.

E-wallet is in its 6^th edition and this year, the winner will walk away with a brand new Nissan Tilda Hatch back worth Mk3million.

Nigerian born comedian Basketmouth is set to jet into Malawi on Sunday for a live performance at Bingu International Conference Centre in Lilongwe on the same day.

Qabaniso Malewezi, CEO for Qoncept Creation, a local events management company organizing the show said he comedian will be supported by Mbeu Kambuwa, a Malawian-Zimbabwean comedian and Nyali music company.

“Basket Mount is a huge brand in Nigeria and globally and the opportunity just presented itself to bring him into the country for the very first time,” said Malewezi.

Basket Mouth, real name Bright Okpocha, has previously organized popular stand-up comedy concerts across the world like Basketmouth Uncensored.

He studied Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Benin.

Sunday night was full of laughter at Bingu International Conference Centre (BICC) Auditorium in Lilongwe when for the very first time ever, Africa’s top stand-up comedian Basketmouth performed live to his Malawian audience.

His incredible performance began just immediately when he showed up on stage at 20:42 hours with a joke about ‘stupid’ questions that one ask someone yet knows the answer or what is happening.

Basketmouth left people laugh their lungs out as he left the stage at 21:43 hours with a joke describing his preferred kind of music and mood at his funeral ceremony.

Basketmouth brought a non-stop laughter into the auditorium during the entire one hour performance. Born Bright Okpocha in Lagos, Nigeria, the top comedian proved to audience why he was an obvious choice by the organizers.

Almost everyone was delighted with his sweet jokes, to say the least, as one comedy fan said had enjoyed the show beyond expectations “I had great time and memorable one” she said

Speaking in an interview just after his performance, Basketmouth said was delighted of the warm and encouraging response from Malawi.

“It was lovely to be here. One of the best gigs I’ve done. The cloud was very attentive… and that’s what we comedians like.” He said

Sharing what it takes to be a best comedian, Basketmouth while stating that his talent is inborn gift, said a comedian has to be original and hard working “Comedy is a gift if you discover that gift build on it and perfect it. Refine your talent”

Asked if he wish to be back soon for another performance he said “If you want me to come back next month I will come. I’ve got more jokes!” And added “With the response that I have here, am hoping that I will come back” The comedy gig by the Africa’s most known and loved comics, Basketmouth was supported by Mbeu “Snooze” Kambuwa, the latest African comedy sensation with special music performance by Malawi’s own hip hop music group Nyali Muzik of the famous “From Malawi” song. Organizers for the comedy show, said were happy with the response from Malawians.

Qoncept Creative Director, Qabaniso Malewezi said; “The response has really been good, we are really happy. We are looking forward to do more comedy events.”

“There are whole bunch of comedians who are looking to come and perform in Malawi and definitely we are going to make that happen from next year onwards.” Said Malewezi

He also urged people to keep supporting the other events happening this month of December, including Dru Hill coming on 12th December and Morgan Heritage musical show on 27th December.

“So I just want to encourage people that this is a festive season lets go out there to all these events and have fun” urged Malewezi

• 10:57pm

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  Austin Kakande

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For the first time ever, Malawi has been nominated for the 58th Grammy Awards, revealed on Monday and are scheduled to take place in Los Angeles in February.

Interestingly, it is no celebrated musician nominated from Malawi, but a prison music group known as Zomba Prison Project.

This is a band from the Zomba Maximum Prison, certainly a group not known by many music followers on the local scene.

It is their project “I Have No Everything Here”, recorded in prison, which has been nominated for the “Best World Music Album”.

The album, released in January this year, will be competing against Brazilian icon Gilberto Gil’s “Gilbertos Samba Ao Vivo”, Beninese singer Angélique Kidjo’s “Sings”, South African Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s “Music From Inala” and Indian Anoushka Shankar’s “Home”.

The nomination is historic as they become the first Malawian artists to be nominated for the Grammy Awards, dominated by the world’s top musicians, songwriters, producers and engineers.

There are 83 categories making the Grammy Awards 2016 and some of the world’s hottest musicians like Taylor Swift and Kendrick Lamar received nods for their outstanding work this past year.

Swift took home nominations for “Record of the Year”, “Song of the Year” and many others, while The Weeknd also dominated in categories like “Album of the Year” and “Best Pop Solo Performance”. But it was Lamar who led the way overall with 11 nods.

Zomba Prison Project nominated for the Grammys. Photo © The Guardian.

Zomba Prison Project’s “I Have No Everything Here” album, which features 16 singer-songwriters, was produced by Ian Brennan, an American Grammy award-winning producer.

All the songs were written by the inmates, and many have tellingly personal titles like: “Give Me Back My Child,” “I See the Whole World Dying of AIDS” and “Don’t Hate Me.”

According to online sources, Brennan first entered Zomba in 2013 and he was not sure he would be allowed access to record. But after meeting with the head of the prison, the producer and his wife, Marilena Delli, were allowed to set up a small mobile recording studio.

See the full list of the Grammy Awards 2016 nominees: http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/grammys/6785974/grammy-nominations-2016-full-list

Zomba Prison Project’s music is available for sale here: https://zombaprisonproject.bandcamp.com.

Nde’feyo Entertainment has announced that four new categories have been added to the Urban Music Party (UMP) Awards. From next year, the ceremony, which awards Malawi’s exceptional urban talent, will have eleven categories from this year’s six.

The 2015 edition that was held on 8th November at the BAT Ground in Blantyre awarded Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Best New Artist, Producer of the Year, Music Video of the Year and Lifetime Achievers.

It has pleased the UMP producers, Nde’feyo Entertainment, to add four new collections as they expand the country’s only urban music awards. The new categories are Album of the Year, Best Hip Hop/Rap Act, Best Dancehall Act and Best R&B/Afro-pop Act.

Nde’feyo Entertainment co-director Ken Limwame says: “We would love to make the awards bigger, and the next step we thought of including other important elements of the music industry to reflect the growth of urban music in Malawi.”

The new categories, especially Album of the Year, have been introduced to cultivate the culture of urban musicians releasing albums. It has been observed that a few urban musicians in Malawi put out full albums, but Mixtapes and Extended Plays (EPs).

Limwame further notes that the new additions will promote the three main genres of urban music, which are Hip Hop, R&B/Pop and Dancehall.

The UMP Awards are part of the Urban Music Party, an event that celebrates urban music and culture in Malawi.

This year’s winners included Sangie for Best New Artist, “Mwano” by Martse feat. Kell Kay for Song of the Year, “Divorce” by Janta for Video of the Year, Tricky Beatz as Producer of the Year and Gwamba as Artist of the Year.

The special Lifetime Achievers accolades went to Criminal A, one of the Hip Hop music pioneers in Malawi and dancehall icon, the late Mafunyeta.

Dates and the venue for the 5th edition of the UMP Festival will be announced soon.