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Music’s ups and downs in 2012

It all started with Fikisa’s hit Akamwile being sang all over. People flexed their bodies to the beat, some understanding Yao lyrics while others were simply taken in by the drum beats.

The album was launched in February after the producer, Nyimbo Music Company, had hiccups in launching it in January as planned.

Then Physix wowed fans by bringing in a new dimension to his music and claiming that he had recreated himself from the ready-to-pick-a- fight man to someone who sang harmonious tunes.

This he said during the release of his third album Follow the Leader in January.

Said the Cholapitsa mastermind (real name Noel Chikoleka): “My earlier music was intended to make a name for myself, but I guess I have achieved that now. The album is about expressing myself and not trying to impress anyone.

Fast-forward to May 2012, Lucius Banda found relief from the State-owned Malawi Broadcasting Corporation which lifted its ban on airing his music.

Soldier’s tracks such as Wokondedwa Wanga and Mtamande were being aired on MBC radios and television barely a month after president Bingu wa Mutharika’s death.

“Even Kamuzu Banda, who is said to be the worst dictator in our history, did not attempt to do what Bingu’s regime did to me. When I released Mabala in 1993, they only called me and politely requested me to remove the phrase Nyali Yawala Tambala Wathawa. They did not ban my song or all my productions,” said Banda.

Just days after Banda’s ban was lifted, fans decided to speak out. The Chileka reggae group, Black Missionaries were greeted with dismay and ridicule from fans for being late for their shows.

One of such shows was during Kamuzu Day celebrations.

One of the fans wondered aloud, “This was supposed to be an afternoon show. Why do we have to wait until six for the fun to begin?”

In response to the criticism, one of the Blacks members Anjiru Fumulani replied: “It is really difficult for shows that are organised by others. When it is a show that we have organised, we are always there on time.”

Evans Zangazanga, aka Piksy, was not short of surprises in 2012. The young man of Sendeza fame decided to do without his counterpart, Nicholas Mbonera and his first solo debut came with the hit song Unamata.

The same June 2012 saw Agorosso sitting over a grand chance to turn up his unsung jazz when legendary Zimbabwean Oliver Mtukudzi considered him for a lifetime recording offer.

Agorosso, whose real name is Lloyd Phaundi, impressed the Zimbabwean maestro with his fine afro-jazz to a point that Mtukudzi offered him a chance to record free of charge.

Tay Grin set tongues wagging with his appearance at Democratic Progressive Party functions.

The Two by Two artist, however, denied the rumours, saying he did not fall in the trend of other artists such as Lucius Banda, Joseph Tembo and Billy Kaunda who rose on their music wings to become politicians.

Said the self-styled Nyau King; “Are you trying to suggest that whoever attends a rally of a particular party has joined party politics? Just like every Malawian, I went to the rally to listen to the party’s manifesto. That’s all.”

And when fans were not expecting it, Nde’feyo Entertainment and Maskal split up.

From a statement released by Nde’feyo’s co-directors Khumbo‘ Kabuzi’ Munthali and Ken ‘Zizwa’ Limwame, the entertainment company announced that they had ended their relationship with Maskal “by mutual agreement”.

When contacted, Maskal (real name Masiye Kasaru) was surprised at the development, saying the managers had not contacted him and he was disappointed to learn of the termination of the contract from the press.

The long forgotten music talent search E-wallet also decided to show its face in 2012. According to the search’s project coordinator Anthony Kafuwa, the turn-up of aspiring musicians and fans was very impressive, attracting more than 200 aspiring musicians in Lilongwe.

Wendy Harawa took her fans by surprise with claims that she had “grown up” and that she was not proud of everything she has done in the past.

Arguably the best female dancehall singer, Wendy has had some bad media hype. In 2010, she was allegedly battered by Zambian singer Petersen. Her Malawian boyfriend, only identified as Gwedeza, reportedly beat her and as if that is not enough, rumours were awash that Wendy had fought with a friend Memory Ng’oma over the Zambian Nafuti Nafuti star Baska Baska.

She is on record saying, “Let the sleeping dogs lie. Most of these stories are rubbish but I just don’t want to talk about it because there is no iota of truth in it.”

Veteran  musician  80-year-old Giddes Chalamanda entertained his fans big time. He was spotted at one of his shows dancing with a woman and looking very energetic for his age.

The Octogenarian who by far is known for music, recently decided to flip to the other side – dancing – and it has not failed him.

Agide, as he is fondly called by his fans, can mimic women dancing antics with little effort and all this makes his fans very happy.

Then to crown it all, South African hit-maker Zahara, pushed her train into Malawi to an insatiable craving for more Loliwe, one of her hit songs.

Teaming up with veteran Malawian singer Wambali, most of her fans will live to remember the year 2012.

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