Stonard Lungu is alive

Ulusi umatsata pamene padutsa singano. Indeed, Mumderanji Lungu is a chip that fell from the old block. If ancestors watch over us and have emotions, Stonard Lungu ought to be smiling at his son’s breakthrough in music.

Born on December 13 1992 at Ntcheu Hospital, the last born in a family of seven, the young artist recalls his father playing Munachita Chobaya (Golozera) which inspired him to start playing guitar.

In 2006 the young artist used to steal his father’s guitar and play it at a hideout until he was caught in the act.

“He summoned me to the sitting-room and I nervously went in. I thought he was angry at me and I expected the worst from him, but I was surprised when he started teaching me the guitar. From this day I started practising,” confesses the young musician.

Mumderanji says his father had been grooming since.

Stonard Lungu passed on his songwriting skills and how to find a unique touch, among many skills. No wonder the young artist ideolises the local music legend.

In 2008, as Stonard Lungu was recording his album, he took Mumderanji along and while at the studio, they had no people to sing backing vocals whereupon the elder musician asked his son to do backing vocals. That was the young Lungu’s first studio appearance.

Mumderanji, who confessed to Chill that life was not any easy after his father’s death and the royalties they received from Cosoma could not sustain his family, says it was the late O’brien Nazombe who came to their rescue as he started taking him and his brothers, trading under Young Stones, along to perform during events.

Although Nazombe’s death was another blow, they were exposed and people started calling for them to perform.

The young artist, who has already started receiving recognition from show organisers as he has already made a number of appearances, is making a second attempt at MSCE. He says he makes sure that his talent does not interfere with his education.

“I have performed at some events and I have received quite a positive response, but I am someone who does not get taken by fame. It is something I have taken from my father,” says Lungu.

Mumderanji has released a 10-track debut album Mzimu wa Agogo and some songs have already started enjoying airplay on local radio stations.

Before listening to the album, one would expect to find it full with acoustic music, but the young artist adds his own dimension to the music.

The fruit does not fall far from its tree and this is evident in this album.

Most compositions involve a lot of storytelling just like his late father.

Kodi ndi Ndani

is a pasada love song that talks about the agony of a single girl who seems never to find her ‘Mr Right’ and finds her probing in the chorus: Kodi ndi ndani adzandikonde zeni zeni.

Ndimakukonda

is a song that has a similar story to Michael Bolton’s Said I Loved You But I Lied

with the voice projection in the verses sounding like Mumderanji has some influence from Anjiru Fumulani.

But the compositions have his father’s signature stamped all over them. It must be in the blood. This is arguably the best song in the album, little wonder it was the most requested song on Matindi FM’s love program 143 Street and is still enjoying massive airplay in most local radio stations in the country.

Mumderanji pays homage to his mentor in the album by playing Stonard’s acoustic rendition of Anachita Chobaya.

But he does not stop there as he goes on to release Mwatani which was originally done by his father.

In Mwatani, the young Lungu adds his verse where he balances the argument to make it gender sensitive. The song talks about the dangers of having extramarital affairs.

The artist told Chill that though he would like to be a legend like his father, he wants to bring a new blend to the music business by being unique. The artist is already shooting videos for his album which will be launched simultaneously with the CD.