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Wikise bombs 2019

It is not an exaggeration to say that one of the music artists who ruled in the year 2019 on the local front is Wikise.

The artist has soared to levels that he probably did not imagine at the start of the year. From having his single Chikamphulikire reaching the number one spot on pay television service channel Trace Africa to being crowned artist of the year in the Urban Music People (UMP) awards, Wikise has had a good year.

Wikise: I want to work hard

His composition Chikamphulikire also scooped the UMP Song of the Year Award.

The artist, born Frank Chawinga, said he shed tears of joy when he saw his music video on Trace Africa: “I cannot lie. I was surprised and I dropped tears of joy when I saw the video. The moment it hit the number one spot, I got even more excited.”

The artist says he does not believe in producing albums and has never produced any. In 2019, Wikise released five singles Shabarakatali, Galamukani, N’zamuwanthu, UliNzingati and the hit of the moment Chikamphulikire.

He says Chikamphulikire’s storyline inspired by what he experienced when he watched an English Premiership football match between Arsenal and another team he says he has since forgotten.

“The other team was not performing well. Their type of play was mainly kick and rush. Imangoponya ma bombaokhaokhakutichikamphulikirekomweko [they were just kicking the ball aimlessly]. Then I sat down and I thought I could as well make a song from what I had seen,” he said. 

The artist does not want to limit himself as an artist, and says he does not sing any particular genre and prefers to call his music Nyimbo. His song Shabarakatali has earned him the moniker Abusa by which he is popularly  known among his fans.

The artist made his music breakthrough in 2005 when he alongside Nitrix released his first single NdiweWanga which was produced by Blessings Nkhoma of Nyasaland Records. Since then, the artist has gone on to release as many as 50 singles, some of which have gone on to top the charts on various local radio and television stations.

Wikise said: “I am happy with how Malawians received me as an artist. They have been very supportive and it is something that I do not take for granted. I owe my success to them. The awards and accolades all point to the hard work that I have put in to get this far.”

The 27-year-old, who locally idolises MacDonald Mlaka-Maliro and Joe Gwaladi, says he now has his eyes firmly set on the international market.

“I want to work hard so that by the end of 2020, my music should be hitting the airwaves beyond Malawi. At the moment, I already have a list of powerful compositions that have been slated for release in the coming year,” he said.

Manager of the artist Martin Anjelz in an interview said perseverance, consistency and resourcefulness are some of the key factors that have seen the artist to scale high levels.

“There is a lot more in store for the year 2020. There will be surprise collaborations along the way, a bit of love songs and a coupls of music videos too. Another aspect we want to work on is increasing the number of live performances.”

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