Mudzi Motel in Machinjiri, Blantyre was brought to a fun gridlock when youthful urban artists staged a historic live show, which attracted a huge audience.
Courtesy of Mikozi Entertainment, the show, dubbed Urban Shutdown, lived up to its billing when it brought about utmost entertainment on a charming Sunday afternoon until late hours. As the clock ticked 3pm exactly, the gates of Mudzi Motel were filled by the youth that were fighting for their entry to be part of the show.
Performances by up-coming stars such as Tsar Leo, Charisma, Toast, Kelvin Sings, Proud, Chavura, Purple C and Enweexy stimulated the atmosphere of the motel. The alluring noise of the audience inside the venue attracted more youths, including children to the gate of the venue as they were spotted peeping through the tiny openings of the gates.
As the day was being swallowed up by darkness, some cash-strapped youth successfully beat the security system of the venue, jumping into the motel from its high brick fence.
There was a moment of excitement when the master of ceremonies (MC) Eword Matewere allowed a surprise by inviting to the stage one of the country’s forgetten rapper Issu. He took fans down the memory lane with his hard-hitting rap.
Organisers of the event said they were on a mission to promote up-coming urban artists as well as taking urban music to townships in Blantyre. The outfit also organised a successful show at Blantyre Cultural Centre (BCC) a fortnight ago before the Machinjiri Urban Shutdown.
“We are currently promoting young talent through live shows in Blantyre. We want to give them a platform to showcase their hidden talent and help them make their ends meet,” said director of Mikozi Entertainment Excess Bright Chiligo.
He said the country’s music industry is being steered by a youthful generation of artists who are denied a platform.
“They have the fans because of their potential. But they fail to utilise them because they lack a platform. Therefore, Mikozi Entertainment is here to bridge the gap,” said Chiligo.
