D1 finds new purpose after SA trip

One of the country’s most sought-after hip-hop producers Dominic One says he feels rejuvenated after a music business trip to South Africa opened his eyes to bigger opportunities.

The Lilongwe-based rapper and producer has been posting photos on Instagram with some of SA’s music luminaries, most notably SA top rapper Tumi.

“The trip has restored my hunger to create. I have made solid connections with Tumi aka Stogie T, MXO, Zubz and a few others.

“I never stopped rapping, but I just felt like I waste my creativity in Malawi because of the level at which I do it.

“That is why I have been focusing on production more in the past three years. But when I get back, I’m going to drop my highly anticipated and controversial EP Kwathu Ku Malawi,” he said.

In an interview, the artist added that the objective of the trip was to explore opportunities in South Africa.

“Well I wanted to seek one, creative challenges; two, sell a few beats and make solid connections on an international level. I already have done that, but I and the South African musicians have never met and doing things in the flesh is more tangible,” he explained.

D1 said he has also been in touch with HHP although they were not able to meet on this particular trip.

“Well, HHP and I have a working relationship already, it’s just that we weren’t able to meet this time round, but I managed to link up with Tumi and we are definitely working closely together,” said the musician, born Dominic Sangaluka.

He said that he is in the process of collaborating with Tumi although he is not at liberty to disclose the finer details.

“We are in the process, but I can’t really give more information on it but just assure you that we are doing something,” he said.

According to D1, there are several lessons that Malawian musicians can draw from the South African music scene.

“The biggest lesson is to take art seriously and take it as a source of revenue and erase the cultural stigma that artists are uneducated and useless people in society.

“This kind of thinking demoralises artists. People should start treating art as an occupation,” he said. n