Lulu in a music contest
Moved by the current statistics of rape and child defilement in the country, R’n’B star Lulu has come up with a song competition aimed at speaking against the gender vice.
The contest for up-and-coming artists will see the winner walking away with a recording deal plus other goodies.
According to Lulu, the winner will be decided at the Mathumela Music Festival scheduled for January 1 at Masintha ground in Lilongwe.
“We have been running this festival for three years now and every year, we come up with a theme according to what is happening on the ground.
“We have a couple of activities, including a song competition specifically for gender-based violence. Up-and-coming artists will do one song and the winner will record in my studio and collaborate with a big artist of his or her choice,” Lulu said in an interview.
Two judges that include him as the producer of the song, will look for “content and musical arrangement” in deciding the winner.
On top of that, the artists started the festival to create a stand to individuals who have a dream of one day being an artist in the country.
“I still remember how I struggled to get a chance to show what I got. I did this festival specifically for ghetto up-and-coming artists. It is a platform to show their talent and also a chance to share the stage with their idols,” he explained.
Lulu said since Mathumela Music Festival started, it remains the most anticipated event in his childhood area.
“It takes place on January 1 deliberately so that we start the year together. We also talk about challenges youths are facing for example and what we need to do to fix the ghetto. So far, it is growing,” he explained.
In a separate interview, another judge for the contest, Dickson Chivwati Gondwe, said after the talent is identified, the song will be ready soon.
“Soon after the festival, the winner will undergo some coaching before going into the studio. So the song should be out definitely it will be early January,” he explained.
Some of the artists billed to perform at the festival are Lucius Banda, Skeffa Chimoto, Temwah and Sangie.
