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Kell Kay aiming for the big time

The past decade has seen Malawi’s hip-hop scene steadily shaping up and finding its own voice as well as foot. This wind of change started blowing across Malawi after a few artists—the pioneers of local hip-hop—who had their songs played on radio gallantly persisted in dealing with the no hip-hop scene.

Their music though, wasn’t fully formed—the beats and delivery were weak and their concepts recycled but the soldiered on.

Kelly Kay (L) shot to fame with the song Mwano
Kelly Kay (L) shot to fame with the song Mwano

Just like every other year, 2015 saw a new crop of hip-hop artists springing onto the music scene. One such man is Kell Kay who ended the year 2014 on a rather high note having released his first ever single, NdiloreNdipite. He went on to release Ndikadzavala Ovololo and Tiye, a love song.

Typically synonymous with lots of promising young artists whose career end tragically at the very beginning, some fans wrote the artist. They thought just like others, who shine for months and then disappear into oblivion, his glory won’t last long.

His collaboration with Martse in Mwano, arguably one of the biggest hits of 2015 took Kell to greater heights proving that he has a knack for this art.

“I have just started music, I mean I haven’t been in the game for too long as it was in 2014 that my first single Ndilole Ndipite came out.

Since then I have done a number of collaborations, six if not seven in total. Of course, Mwano is the famous one and that is the song I am known for,” he said.

For those that have listened to Mwano, Kell is that prominent voice on the chorus that sings; “Ndizonsezanga (Mwanoo), Mumtimamwangaine (Mwano), SindiperekampatasoeehMwano (eehMwano).”

He was also featured in Wabwino by Penetrator, Tabwelelaby Yung Z and recently Karate done by Gwamba, released a month before the award winning hip-hop artist turned to God.

Though his songs and the collaborations touched on themes ably tackled by other exceptional artists, his seriousness sold, giving him an edge over the others.

Most musicians are busy in studios working on new projects that could see them get to the next level. Others are working hard so that they also have a chance of winning an accolade in their career.

Kell who has proved that he is in the industry to stay is not exceptional as with the experience gotten so far, the 23 year old releases his first album this year.

“I will drop my album next year and I have already recorded the songs for the album. There are going to be 11 songs mainly of Afro R’n’B. I have worked with different producers like Tricky Beats, AK, DJ Sley, Janta and BfB but mostly it’s AK who has done more tracks in my album.

“I haven’t thought of that yet was just busy working to make the best songs and I wanted it to be the best album ever so I will have to think about that later,” he explained.

While keeping a tight lid on the nitty-gritty’s of his album, he says he owes his success this far to his friends.

I don’t want to pre-empt my album as I want it to be a surprise. People should see the need in waiting for it. It will be a culmination of my journey which I must admit, it has been a tough one. It’s never easy but I have worked hard with the help of my friends I am here now.

I am thankful to friends like Martse for putting me up in Mwano and Gwamba who has helped me a lot,” he stated.

Apart from being featured in two of Gwamba’s songs including Ndakufila, the artist has been instrumental in Kell’s career.

“He takes me to his shows and performs with him. That has really pushed me to be where I am today. If it wasn’t for him, I would have been somewhere but not here,” he mused.

The young man has emerged to rock the country with his uniquely different lyrics. His facile tongued and confidence also adds an advantage to his impending success.

“My dream is to make it big. I want to be the best artist in Africa, win awards even outside Africa. Sometimes I laugh when I think about all this but I will work hard for this.

“My plan in achieving all this is simple, make better songs and music videos and take them to international television channels such as Channel 0. Another thing is to fight to make good collaborations with big artists from Nigeria or South Africa for example. For now it is impossible but with time it will work,” said the artist, whose real name is Kelly Kambwiri.

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