Che Malamba, the ‘Madolo’ incarnation
In the 1980s and early 1990s, musician-cum-politician Kennedy Ndoya alias Madolo stole the limelight on the local entertainment scene with his exploits mostly through street performances.
Madolo may have died, but Balaka-based Che Malamba, real name Kingsley Malamba is out to fill into his shoes.
In an interview recently following the success of his single Ndalama Zandipanikiza, Che Malamba said that he is a singer-cum-comedian out to bring a smile on people’s faces.
He said: “Ndalama Zandipanikiza is pure musical comedy. I am taking the lighter side of life trying to make people forget the economic problems rocking our lives. Malawians are suffering under the heavy yoke of unemployment, high cost of basic commodities such as cooking oil, fuel, and VAT on banking services, and are looking for a space to breathe.
“I have grown up in the village dancing to manganje, mbwiza, chikongo and soopa. My music will have a touch of local flavour with a fusion of contemporary music.”
Che Malamba said Ndalama Zandipanikiza was inspired by people’s suffering emanating from the impact of Covid-19 pandemic.
“Some people were receiving Covid-19 handouts, Mtukula Pakhomo social cash transfer through phones and yet others benefitted from Mpopela [residual insecticide spraying]. So, my music is all about amusement and full of drama just like Thom and Jerry series. It is nothing serious apart from fun,” said the artist.
He said musicians have done gospel, love, horror and carping songs, but he wants to introduce Malawians to rib-tickling music and videos.
“When one watches Ndalama Zandipanikiza video, one is rest assured of lots of laughter and fun,” said Che Malamba.
The artist, who comes from Mtuweni Village, Traditional Authority Chikowi in Zomba was born in the 1980s.
Although musicians Oliver Mtukudzi, Pamela Mkuntha and Kennedy Ndoya motivated him to join the industry, his wife and his friend Potiphar Magombo encouraged him to take music seriously.
Malamba, who is in the studio working on his debut album Nkhawa Ndinapachika, said he is looking for a manager and sponsor.
The artist who is also a skilled photographer. His videos were produced by VJ Ken and Vinny Visuals while the audio was done by Said John of Fatbrains Studio.
