Young artistS take centre stage

Looking at the lineup of performers at tomorrow’s Carlsberg Urban Music Legacy at the College of Medicine Sports Complex in Blantyre, one is left with an impression that young artists are a force to reckon with.

In fact, of late no show of repute can be held without some of these artists on the line up and the impact of their presence is always noticeable.

Tsika hitmaker Sonye, Bucci, Nesness, Home Grown African (HGA), Blaze of Mwini Zinthu (which features Ril B), Saint, Mafo, Martse, DNA, Sangie and Hazel Mak are some of the youthful league of artists that will come face-to-face with the likes of Dan Lu, Piksy, Nepman, Fredokiss, Young K, Blak Jak, Barry One and Theo Thomson who have been around in the music circles for some time.

Apart from the Carlsberg’s event, the list of the youthful artists also made headlines recently during Malawi Broadcasting Corporation’s (MBC) 19TH Anniversary celebration at Mustang Sally in Blantyre.

Blaze stole the show with his magic song Mwini Zinthu.

Dan Lu’s Sweet Banana concert at Village House in Blantyre’s Kampala Township, could not be complete without up-and-coming artists such as Sir Patricks, Saint, Blaze, Stich Fray and Hope Lufani.

Dan Lu underscored the importance of providing young artists with a platform to showcase their talent.

“Not all young artists can organise live shows, hence, it is the responsibility of established musicians to help them realise their dreams,” he says.

At the show, Sir Patricks demonstrated that he is just another performer when it comes to stage work. He did not only dazzle fans with his commanding voice but also energetic movements on stage.

Sir Patricks was also the highlight of last Sunday’s urban concert at Chichiri Multipurpose Gardens in Blantyre where he impressed. There was also another lively stage work from an up-and-coming group called No Sleep Gang (NSG), youthfull dancehall artists Jay Jay Cee and Stick Stak.

It is not only at music shows that young artists are involved in live performances. On July 29, Q Malewezi’s People tour at M-Theater in Blantyre also exposed another promising poet Lilly Banda.

Some of the people who attended the show said the young poet proved to be a force to reckon with on the poetry front.

“Her deep voice and issues tackled in her poems seem beyond her age and send a strong message to Q that she is probably the next Malawi’s spoken word artist,” one art enthusiast told Weekend Nation.

Young talent was also spotted at Blantyre Fashion Expo where youthful models proved their worth. For example, Hetherwick Ntaba’s a daughter impressed with her both height and cat-walking dexterity. Every moment she approached the runway, there were deafening cheers from the audience in her support.

To further prove that the country’s young artists have something to offer, established musicians such as ‘Soldier’ Lucius Banda are roping in their services.

For example, Lucius has been performing with a crew of youthful artists in such as late Mafunyeta, Atumwi duo, Piksy, Nepman, Lulu, Dan Lu amoung others.

Lucius said he has been engaging young artists to create a platform for the new talent.

“I and my Zembani Music Company have been creating opportunities for young artists to the big stage so that they can interact with fans.

However, despite their potential, most up-nd-coming artists who are conquering the stage are not financially stable to successfully steer their career.

One of such artists is Excess (real name Bright Chiligo). He observes that there is a war between some established artists and the budding ones.

“Young artists are hot but they don’t have enough resources. While some established artists have resources they fear supporting us because they are losing steam.

“So, instead of working together they are deliberate attempts to suppress the young ones,” says Excess.

Musicians Association of Malawi (MUM) chairperson for Southern Region Chapter, Papa Mtume, observes that there is a need for artists to work in harmony to ensure that both parties benefit from the services rendered.

“The reason why we emphasise that all artists should register with MUM and attend meetings is for them to understand some critical issues such as contracts. The only way we can help the growth of our music industry is by working together in harmony,” said Mtume.