Bandawe’s music project taps from folklore
Producer and musician Tapps Bandawe has embarked on a project of promoting folklore music which he is fusing with modern genres.
In his new project, Bandawe has done an adaptation of one of the popular folklore songs Kamwana Kamwini. He has roped in three urban music artists—rappers Tay Grin and Tsar Leo, and reggae dancehall queen Sangie.
“Kamwana Kamwini Kangoti Mayo Mayo, Mamwanu M’chirombo Uyu, Kuche Msanga n’tuluke” these song lines are not new for those familiar with folklore music.
The three will star in a song titled Mayo Mayo whose release has been set for June 28. Bandawe said the project will spearhead the promotion of Malawian culture through urban music.
Bandawe said: “The fusion of raw Malawian sounds with contemporary beats is the only way Malawi will grab the attention of the new generation locally and beyond the borders.”
The producer said the sexual theme of the song is a reminder of how for decades our forefathers have used the artistic medium to address subjects that were otherwise considered a taboo.
“Back in the days, people could talk about sexual issues through songs and dance. So, talking about sex in this new age shouldn’t be a taboo.
“We want to show that in our culture these things have been there and we can talk about it through music, which is why we are fusing modern urban and traditional culture to come out with a Malawian sound that people out there will enjoy,” he said.
In a separate interview, Tay Grin said the project represents a reunion between Bandawe and himself who worked together on his debut album as he introduced his Nyau Music brand, which is also inspired by the traditional nyau dance.
He said of the Mayo Mayo project: “When you just preserve culture you lose it. When you modify culture, you protect it forever because it allows the new generation to identify with it. We come along way and we understand better what culture means to music.”
Bandawe paid tribute to the trio whom he said were exceptional in both the production of the audio and the video, which has been produced by renowned videographer Ron CZ. The song will be released under the Pamudzi Soundscape label.
