George Mkandawire seeks salvation with new music

Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool,” states the word of God in Isaiah 1:18.

It appears musician George Mkandawire understands the scripture that God is a God of second chances. And that is why he has taken advantage of the merciful side of the creator to return on the gospel scene with a new gospel album.

“This new music finds me trying to find myself and to redefine myself in as far as music is concerned. Aside that, I have made a few missteps in my life and I had to find inner peace before I could even start writing beautiful music,” he told On the Arts.

The yet to be titled album will be recorded partly in Zambia, where the musician is currently based, and in Malawi by Sonye of Baseline Records and Daredevils of Lo Budget Studios.

“I have been in touch with Sonye and Daredevils for the Malawian recording sessions. I’m also thinking of working with my brother Amos Mlolowah for a couple of live studio recordings,” he said.

The Nkhampenjanga hit-maker is one of the finest gospel musicians in Malawi. Before he was hit by scandals, Mkandawire was the country’s leading gospel artist. And it has been over five years since he released an album.

“It was a process of finding myself and trying to find what makes George Mkandawire and reflecting on how I would love to be remembered.

“So, this is me trying to reclaim my legacy,” he said.

The self-actualisation process has also forced him to discard his past music.

“No songs have been recorded yet. I had recorded a couple of songs in the past year, but since I’m turning a new leaf, I decided to discard everything I have been working on how to start afresh,” he said.

The question, however, could be: Will music alone be enough to get back the trust his fans had in him as a music minister?

“I’m a musician. Music is the only tool I know to communicate with my fans and with God. This is the tool that God has given me and this is the tool that I will use.

“And this is beyond an issue of trust between me and my fans, this is me seeking personal redemption through music,” he said.

Mkandawire implored his fans to learn to embrace individuals who accept past mistakes and try to find a new life in Christianity.

“I know it seems a little hypocritical coming from George Mkandawire, but that is what we should strive to do as Christians as well as the church as a body of Christ. We should continually question ourselves and our role in society, we should question who we are and if there is anything that we can do better to win more to Christ.

“I found myself at crossroads in life and the only way I was able to redeem myself was asking myself those difficult questions. And that is how I was able to find my soul,” he said.

He said the new music is framed within that philosophy, taking into consideration the evolving nature of music.

He expects to finalise production by end next month. The launch is slated for July, he said.

In his music career, Mkandawire has managed to release great hits such as Nkhampenjanga, Thanthwe, Ulendo and Timuimbire.

Will he match that legacy? “I will definitely up my game to bring my music to standard, or even exceed the standard,” he said.