Haxi Momba in comeback bid

Reggae musician Haxi Momba has embarked on a comeback drive after his career took a battering over the past couple of years.
The Lilongwe-based musician is renowned for his militant, anti-establishment music.

The dreadlocked musician says he will revamp his career by way of a fourth album, Chibvumbulutso IV, which he intends to launch at Motel Paradise in Blantyre next week.
“Of course, I launched the album in Lilongwe last year, but I did not manage to bring the album to Blantyre. So, because I have taken a long time without performances, I will use the event to relaunch my career,” he said.
Momba, however, decried rampant piracy in the industry that is adversely affecting the livelihoods of local musicians.
“Music has gone down because of piracy so to make a living, one has to have a performance band; hence, my decision to go back on stage,” he said, explaining that he has since reestablished The Jews Band for the sole purpose of touring the country.
According to Momba, the Blantyre event will give revelers a glimpse of what is to come from him and his band.
“Many people in Blantyre have never seen me perform live, so they should come and bear testimony to our performances. Aside that, we are in the process of shooting videos for the DVD, which should be done by the time we launch the album in Blantyre,” he said.
Some of the hits from the album include Muyuda Olonjezedwa, Ondimwetulira and Wasinthansinsa ndi Nsima.
The album was recorded at Ralph Records and the musician says this is an attempt to take his fans down memory lane.
“When I released these three promotional singles, people said the songs reminded them of the old Haxi Momba. So, people should expect the old type of music that made them to initially fall in love with me. It’s purely roots for people who love reggae, regardless of where they are in the world,” he said.
Next week’s launch will also feature performances by Dan Lu, Mafo, Nepman and the Black Missionaries.