Wendy embarks on African raid
Reinvented gospel singer Wendy Harawa has begun her push to establish musical footprints on the African continent by releasing a collaboration with popular Kenyan artist Guardian Angel.
The songstress has hooked her Kenyan counterpart on her single Akuona which was simultaneously released in Malawi and Kenya on Tuesday.
Harawa says this is the start of her multi-national project which will also see her work with artists from Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Uganda and other West African countries.
Unlike in her mellow compositions which she did after turning to gospel, the singer has evoked her old reggae/ragga dancehall self in Akuona.
Because of the lively reggae beat, the song can suit different occasions. The Kenyan even joined her in dropping a few lines in Chichewa and the two showed exceptional understanding and synergy in the song which has bits of Swahili.
Harawa sings in the song: “Sometimes things are harder you can’t even imagine. Kuyesera izi ndi izi nothing is changing. Kukhala chabe moyo wa Facebook pretending…”
Speaking about her project in an interview, the long-time musician said gospel music is a ministry whose mission is to reach out to as many people as possible.
“These collaborations are strategic because the idea is to broaden my horizon in the gospel music ministry,” said Harawa.
Akuona becomes her second international collaboration after she also worked with Zambian Kings Mumbi on a track slated for release in a few weeks.
The singer-songwriter is expected to fly to Namibia soon for a studio session with praise and worship soulful singer Maranatha Goroh.
She has also indicated that the release of the song will set the tone for her upcoming album which will be a compilation of the songs that she will record under this project.
Harawa said an African Music Tour will then follow.
Guardian Angel said: “It is always nice when you try new things in your productions. Learning the Chichewa lines was exciting. I did it in four minutes and I was good to go.
“It was so easy working with Wendy.”
