Chimzy Kelly tips musicians
It is undisputable fact that Malawians continue to fall in love with Zambian music. Clubs, parties and weddings are a centre-stage for this music, a clear indication of how passionate the locals are towards the neighbours’ work of art.
The music is flooding the market in Malawi even enjoying more radio play than the local music.
Music is also allowing the two countries to effectively work together. There are countless examples which indicate booming Malawi-Zambia music relation such as abundant shows being staged in Malawi and vice versa.
Ironically, in what would be dubbed as unexpected circumstance, Malawian artists seem to have hit gold in Zambia. The local musicians go to Lusaka and other parts of Zambia for performances where they attract pomp.
Some local musicians have found solace in Zambia with Skeffa Chimoto being the most popular, according to Zambian artist, Chimzy Kelly.
“Malawian music is playing everywhere in Zambia mostly Skeffa Chimoto’s music. It is very big because he is even playing in Bemba land where people don’t understand Chichewa.
“His music sounds a bit Zambian and he is not too much into Malawian usual tune.
“Gwamba and Lucius Banda are also trying here. As for Black Missionaries, no one knows them because Zambia is not a reggae country,” said Kelly in an interview at the recent launch of Piksy’s second album launch
At one time Mlaka Maliro, Chimoto, Maskal and Thomas Chibade made impressive strides among the Zambians.
The artist said Malawian artists need to change focus and do music that will be readily acceptable by many.
“They need to change their type of music and aim for African and not Malawi only. Reggae music will take Malawi nowhere and there is no place for reggae in Zambia.
“Malawian artists have the potential of making it big. I can see upcoming artists changing Malawian music to greater heights.
“These young artists include Gwamba, Young Kay, Dan Lu, BlakJak, Lulu, Piksy who, at one time doing good with a track, Uncle Short One, Buchi, Trap Squad, Nepman and many more,” he said.
He added: “They should also collaborate with people from other countries to make their music wide,” said the artist, whose real name is Zacks Chimwemwe Banda.
Recently, Zambian musician B1 said Malawi scores high in music compared to Zambia in terms of content.
He cited the music of Chimoto, Joseph Nkasa and Fredokiss as being popular and widely enjoyed all over Zambia in the same vein that Zambian music is enjoyed in Malawi.
“However, Zambian music is more about issues like romance whereas Malawian songs dwell more on in-depth issues like economics and social politics. Our focus is not mainly on deep issues, but simple messages that mean something to listeners and we do it better in romantic issues,” B1 was quoted as saying by The Zambian Daily Mail.
