Zambia’s Orga Family to launch album in Malawi

They have taken the Malawian music scene by storm–wooing fans across the country with their captivating live acts as well as their fascinating lyrics.

Once they take to the stage, the pair enthralls the audience with dances and vocals that are very thrilling and yet surprisingly temperate.

It is their live performances in Malawi, other than their chart-busting hits, that have solidified their status as one of the best things that Zambia has gifted Malawi in recent years.

They are Zambian sensational duo Organised Family; dreadlocked siblings Kent Singoyi aka Orga Kent who is also the lead vocalist and Rex Singoyi aka Orga Rex.

Wherever they have performed since their songs Koka Kola and Minga Munsomba hit the airwaves and across dancefloors, the pair have not only lived up to their reputation, but also enhanced it with performances that have left revellers salivating for more.

Organised Family started in 2000 and they have five albums namely; Orga (2004), Sinzakutangila (2006), Missed Call (2008) and Koka Kola(2010), and Kabende meaning ntondo (2012). Still riding off the success of the Koka Kola and Kabende albums, the group is this year launching a new album Marco Polo in a Basket.

Songs such as Borolo Top, Hungry Lion, Facebook and now Train as well as Niota popularly known as Potato Salad in Malawi, have become very popular.

“We are happy that Malawians love our music so much and that is why we are constantly coming here to perform. In fact, Malawi is our second home for it has hugely played a part for us to be here,” Oga Kent said in an interview.

“Our first performance in Malawi was in 2011 at Mungo Park. Since then we, just like Malawians, have fallen in love with the warm heart of Africa. We were moved with the huge fans we have in Malawi as initially, we thought our music is only in Lilongwe and Blantyre but we were amazed to find the music is popular all over, in places as far as Karonga, Mzuzu,” said the 28-year-old Kent.

“That gave us the urge to be coming here any time, all the time. And we will continue coming here as we have huge fans. There is no difference between the two countries,” added Orga Rex, 25.

Contrary to what some have been saying that the Zambians are being duped by Malawian artists, the duo says their trips to Malawi have made gains.

“We benefit a lot by performing here as we are not always booked in Zambia. And mostly when we are here, we perform at least two at times three venues which translates into more money in the pocket,” said Kent.

Added Rex: “The tradition in Zambia is that owners of clubs invite musicians to perform. As artists, we do not do much in terms of organising shows. Therefore, the more we come here, the more money we make. Again, we also make money through the selling of our music.”

East or west home is best, so they say. But for the Zambian duo, Malawi seems first. The duo will in May launch its album Marco Polo in a Basket in Malawi. This will be their second launch on the local soil after Kabende in March 2012.

“The first launch will be in Zambia the same month. We will take the privilege of inviting some Malawian artists to grace it,” said Kent.

Talking about the album, Rex said: “The title track is a combination of two songs; Basket and Marco Polo. We combined the two songs just to give a picture that youngsters do creative stuff instead of old guys.”

The duo has been singing since young. They have been brought up in a Christian family which they say modelled them to be very disciplined.

“The idea of music started with our parents and as the first born, I continued the legacy after singing at church for some time. At that time, Rex was managing a very big choir as a master, and it made things easier for us to start our own,” said Kent.

Added Rex: “There are many challenges, but the key thing is stay organised, keep the fame and that’s how we handle ourselves. We grew up in a Christian family, so much so that we don’t drink or smoke.

“These two things have the potential of killing ones career and because we don’t do that, it has helped our performances to remain constant, we do not disappoint.”

For the duo, the sky is the limit.

“We are working hard, planning on hitting other places in West, North Africa,” the brothers said in unison.