Lloyd Bakali, gospel’s next big thing

Lloyd Bakali has all the attributes to join the elite league of Malawi’s big time gospel artists.

The Blantyre-based artist, who plays afro-gospel music, has just completed recording his second album, Mtamandeni.

The album contains praise and worship songs that not only move souls, but can also put him in a category of exceptional musicians.

For the album, recorded at Ituma Studios in Nkolokosa, Blantyre, and mastered in South Africa by Gresham Mokoena, the artist roped in Andy Phiri, Grace and Rabecca Maliza as backing vocalists.

That Bakali is a musician to the core is not only demonstrated by his ability to play the keyboards and bass guitar, among other instruments, but also his musical background.

“I started singing at a very tender age at Sunday school. I have been choirmaster for many groups. When I was in secondary school, I was leading four choirs,” he said.

Bakali, who admires Wambali Mkandawire and Keffa Kasakula on the local scene and Pastor Jimmy Swagart as well as Benjamin Dube internationally, has not been holding shows because of commitments at his church.

“I haven’t been performing in public shows because I spend most of my time leading praise and worship at my church. But I have taught a number of people who are now doing well in music,” he said.

Although he did not promote his debut album, Mbusa Wabwino, recorded in 2004 at Rhem Studios, the artist is set to conquer the music scene with Mtamandeni, which contains songs such as Thandizo Langa, Timtame and Kuyenda.