Nyasa Guruz, a seven member music group, stormed the music market in 2006 with an album Nthawi.
It was journey to stardom for the youthful group. The response from the public was positive and the future promised more. Their release of their second Ndikudikira and third Tabwelanso, albums released in 2007 and 2009 respectively, promised fun lovers more.
However, it was a short-lived glory. The group disappeared silently, but their demise could hardly be felt, thanks to hits such as Tumpale, Suzie and Konda Moyo Wako which have stood the changing times since their release.
The group says transition from boys to men affected their consistency.
“We were boys and dependants when we started and with time we needed to put bread on our tables. So, we got scattered and we could not easily come together for new releases,” said group leader Jones Pappa Kangwani.
Some group members such as Brave Blackseed Mnyayi chased their dreams beyond Malawian borders. Others such as Fatsani Blakjak Kalonde embarked on solo projects while others went silent.
After nine years in hibernation, the all-male group has reset its music dream. They have released two songs within five months. The first was Lero ndi Lako released on January 30 this year.
“We had to do the reunion because we left people in suspense. Our mission was not fulfilled. It was just a matter of time before we had to continue the journey we started,” said Pappa.
This week, the group released another single, Ukamalira. Unlike the first single, the latter has got a positive response from the public. In just seven hours of its release, the song hit 468 downloads on MalawiMusic.Com.
Done in the afro-dancehall tempo, Ukamalira, produced by Henwood and Sispence, is another hit to watch out for. There is a lot of creativity and what is most inspiring is how Pappa, Badde, Blakjak and Jinke voices are interlaced.
“Ukamalira mtima umamawa ine, Nkakuona ukupita ndimada nkhawa ine, Watopa ndikulira lira lira iwe, Ndiine sudzalira lira lira iwe…”goes the song which is part of fourth album to be released this year.
“The response is very good, but we are not impressed. We need to work extra hard to reach out to more fans because some still doubt that we are back,” he said.
Blakjak said his solo projects provide experience that will enable the transition from old Nyasa Guruz.
The redeemed group has gone into the studios without Zep who is still abroad. The founders include Blakseed, Jimmy Kwangwani aka Jinke, Dumisani Liko Bwoy Mnyayi, Blakjak and Pappa. n
