Faith Mussa’s second coming
Gospel artist Faith Mussa is scheduled to launch his album Mdidi tomorrow at Bingu International Convention Centre (Bicc) in Lilongwe. While Mussa was in rehearsal, our Arts Editor EDITH GONDWE caught up with his manager Sam Chibaka to talk more about the launch and Faith’s music career.
Q
: Faith Mussa is launching his album tomorrow. What should we expect during the launch?
A
: People should expect a stellar performance from an accomplished artist who happens to be Malawian. We have been planning for this launch for the past two years.
Q
: Faith has decided to launch his album in Lilongwe. What plans do you have for his his fans in other areas?
A
: This marks the beginning of the national and world tour of Mdidi the album. Soon after the launch on August 11, he will be performing in Karonga alongside Lusubilo Band who are releasing their album on the same night at Bicc and on August 12 both Lusubilo Band and Faith will perform in Mzuzu. Then Faith will have a break before departing for UK to launch Mdidi album in Nottingham on September 8.
As for Blantyre, we are still working on the logistics of the perfect venue.
Q
: Of late, we have seen the artist making several international trips. How will those trips and experiences impact or improve his music?
A
: His trips in the past and future have been and will always be a learning curve for Faith and has also helped him to connect with other international artists who are featuring on his album. Like in this album, he has worked with Mr Push from Nigeria on the song Woyera and US-based Mtali Shaka Banda who features on several songs on this album. On September 22, Faith will be travelling to Mozambique and then Lake of Stars. He will be back for a breather before going to Norway and Botswana in October and November.
Q
: Mdidi is a song that has been around for over a year now. Why is the new album titled Mdidi?
A
:Mdidi has been a project and most of the songs on the project were done a year or so ago, but because gospel music is unlike secular music the message comes first so that it has a lasting impact on someone’s life. And most songs on this album will have a lasting impact and also working with international artists it takes time to finish a project because the foreign artists have their own projects to complete. At the same time, Faith has also been working on the Zathu Project producing their album hence there was some kind of a slow pace on his project.
Q
: Who will share the stage with Faith during the launch?
A
: Faith and I had to carefully select the artists he will share the stage with. Lusibilo Band is amazing and with international experience. They are bringing a different vibe and we thought this would be the right platform for them to showcase to the audience that in Karonga there is some serious talent. Chigo Grace is an amazing singer who has a bright future as a female gospel artist. Two years from now, she will be going places. And of course we will have the Mussa Family Band which will once again reunite to take people down the memory lane. This is where Faith started his music journey. We will have some young lads from Dzaleka Refugee Camp who will spice up the show. We included them because they have a youthful appeal. As this is a family show we reduced the pricing for children to accommodate those that have families.
Q
: After the launch, of the album, what does Faith have in store for his fans?
A
: After the launch we have planned for more performances in as many districts as possible because it is these people who make his music great. n
