Namadingo takes Mash-ups to Zambia
It looks like musician Patience Namadingo is not done with Zambia yet. Ahead of his highly-anticipated live concert in Lusaka scheduled for Saturday, the artist has released his first-ever mash-up featuring Zambian musician Petersen Zegeza.
The mash-up, which features Petersen’s two popular songs Amakwebo and Fendela Fenduze, was released on Monday evening together with its video and has been released under Namadingo’s Zambian management stable Elation Entertainment.
Just like Namadingo’s local mash-ups, the latest one also has a distinct reggae vibe and has the two artists in a battle of vocal supremacy. Though the song was done in Bemba, the Malawian didn’t seem bothered in his stride.
In an interview, Petersen, real name Mukubesa Mundia, said he was convinced that the Malawian did justice to his songs and applauded him for having a good ear to sound and melodies.
He said in a WhatsApp interview: “He is professional, very straightforward, he had it all figured out and he knew what he wanted. He chose what songs he wanted to blend and we just did that. The session didn’t take even one hour.”
Namadingo made headlines with the mash-up project from early last year when he collaborated with a number of local artists such as Lucius Banda, Billy Kaunda, Giddes Chalamanda and Black Missionaries.
Petersen said that the mash-up project’s appeal spilled over to his native country. He cited Banda’s and Chalamanda’s mash-ups and Mapulani as being among some of Namadingo’s popular songs in Zambia.
“He is popular here just like any other happening Zambian musicians. He has a big fan base here. I think he might even be bigger here than he is in Malawi,” he said.
On his part, Namadingo said the mash-up was not planned, but resulted from a chat that he had with his Zambia counterpart.
He said: “I am pleased with the reaction. It is second to none. Within the first hour of its release, it went viral. Zambians are asking to have more of their old songs resurrected in a similar way. But I can’t state for sure if there will be any follow-up soon.”
Upon its release, comments flooded his Facebook page.
DJ Mzenga Man Worldwide posted: Oh God! You guys can actually make one of the greatest African albums together. I pray this happens.”
The song was recorded and mastered at Elation Entertainment Studio in Lusaka and it was produced by renowned Zimbabwean producer Sound Bwoy.
