Following the unprecedented flood disaster which hit Malawi and affected districts mostly in the Southern region of Malawi, three local artists who have been working with the affected communities have released a music video to highlight the plight facing the flood victims and by extension amplifying the message on the need for all and sundry to help the victims.
“We thought it would be great to do this song with other local artists in an effort to raise more awareness and support for the flood victims in Malawi. We have to tell our own stories from the suffering we and those close to us have experienced
“The artists saw what was going on and believed through music they could reach a wider audience in Malawi to show and tell people that we need help ASAP,” said the team behind the song.
The three artists are Joshua Chimbali who did not only direct but also sang; Rammy Eliyah—musician and movie writer— who recorded the piece at his Rammy Records and lastly Smooth who is showing great talent.
Taking time out from their busy schedules, Ghetto Gutter Entertainment artists, Ace Dirty and Fredokiss visited the Agape Orphanage in Blantyre where they talked to and mentored the young students about various life issues. Also in attendance was Mr Slyk who was the Dj at the event making sure things were lively as the children danced before being served lunch.
This is the 2nd year running that Fredokiss has been a part of such a charitable initiative and the artist sees no reason to stop, “This is just the beginning! I believe as artists we can influence our society in a positive way and help grow and protect our nation both from evils within and without.”
Music can bring people people together and music can be used as a communication medium to highlight concerns. This is why Musicians across Malawi are coming together to spread awareness concerning the environment, energy, natural resources and climate change through a series of free shows. Climate change is a long-time change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns and it is inevitable after an extended period of time. Everyday people living in Malawi witness the effects of climate change like change in average weather conditions across the country, or in the time variation of weather around longer-term average conditions. It is a known fact that Malawi is one of the top countries that has been facing difficulty due to climate change. At the same time Malawi has one of Africa’s highest deforestation rates of 2.8% per year. From this understanding it’s obvious that things will get worse if we don’t do anything about it.
The new initiative by Malawi-Music.com is called the “Environment And Energy Awareness Campaign”, which is a brand new social environment campaign targeted at preparing young Malawians on how to deal with climate change and the future. The campaign has been creatively designed by environmentalists with passion for music and artists across the beautiful country of Malawi are getting together to record on a special instrumental called the “Environment Riddim”. A beat/riddim was originally produced by Malawi’s renowned producer St Boseratti (formerly known as 3rd Degree). Anyone can participate by doing their own version of an environment awareness song using the “environment riddim”. Successfully submitted songs will receive recognition and sponsorship from various local and international organizations including promotion on Malawi-Music.com and other social media networks. The leading songs will be performed in environment awareness events across the country and online on the Top 20 Environment chart available on the Green Malawi page. The benefits for sponsoring a popular environment song range from fulfilling social obligations, to branding at events that will encourage young people to be more responsibility about the environment and energy of the country while learning to deal with climate change.
To get started: Artist should visit the Green Malawi page on Malawi-music.com or follow this link: http://www.malawi-music.com/greenmalawi/. SMEs and Corporate organizations are also being encouraged to get involved and make an environmental stand by sponsoring a Malawi music environment event, awareness song or donating towards the campaign. We need to be concerned and we need to act now. Let’s help together to heal the earth for a better future.
The traditional music business model in Malawi has shifted dramatically in a number of ways since the introduction of recorded music in the last century. The sweeping changes in music consumption brought on by technological evolution, like in all parts of the world, has been the biggest driving force in how recorded music is consumed in this digital age.
The journey from Vinyl to mp3, print media, radio & TV to web platforms and Social media has altered the way people connect to, and discover music. Success in the new music business, whether you’re are an aspiring performer, songwriter, manager, promoter, record label, studio owner or music entrepreneur, hinges on how you adapt your hustle to the truths of the digital music business.
How many times have you heard the following statement about the music business?
“The music industry is dying and there’s no money in music!”
Allow me to share an insider truth regarding this topic, there is no one way to succeed in this game in the same way that there is more than one way to skin a cat or loot from government funds for that matter.
Here are some interesting facts about the recorded music business in Malawi as it stands today:
Physical album sales have long been on the decline prompting major distributors like O.G Issa to move out of the business
Though radio and TV is still important for breaking and supporting superstar artists, the monopoly they previously held over music delivery has come under serious challenges and threats in the new digital business model with a stronger connection with music lovers via Social Media platforms. (Remember when MBC was the only way to see new music videos?)
Digital music consumption is the biggest form of music consumption surpassing CD’s, Cassette Tapes, and live shows.
Music licensing and synchronizing for TV is a growing viable business
Despite the many industry changes, music is still a rich and complex symbolic, social, and political product that can captivate audiences, providing cathartic and embodied experiences, grounding identities and communities.
We would like to condole the family and friends of Faith Chibale as well as the whole nation of Malawi on the passing of the former Miss Malawi, and Malawi News Model of The Year.
Faith Chibale was the reigning Miss Malawi from 2010 to 2011 a year after she had won the Malawi News Model of The Year 2009. She had taken over the Miss Malawi crown from Ellah Kabambe. Faith Chibale was an avid Malawian music fan and showed support to the home industry wherever she could. She was laid to rest today at Manjawira, Ntcheu today.
Happy Martyr’s Day! Hope you enjoy the holiday as we celebrate our National heroes on this 3rd day of March. This is a special year as the nation of Malawi turns 50 in July 2014. Let us all reflect how far we’ve come and how much further we need to go as a people and a nation to make sure our dreams and aspirations are fulfilled.
We salute all those who have given their all and sacrificed their lives for our country’s sake in order to move us forward.
Highflying radio and TV journalist, Sister Fire had the world at her feet. A recognizable and respected member of the community, she beamed her inner convictions and moral principles across the FM airwaves from Limbe and on TV screens across the entire continent. As a presenter and host at POWER FM 101, she defined Malawi’s freedom generation, who took full advantage of freedom of speech in the post Kamuzu Banda democratic era. As an attractive face on M Net’s Studio 53, she took the world along with her to some of Africa’s choicest secrets and sources of pride. In September 2007, she was on such a mission, which in addition was of great personal significance.
Chiozo, Sister Fire, MonicaIt was the Ethiopian New Millennium and the whole world was present in Addis Ababa. The Tosh and Marley clans represented just a fraction of reggae royalty from all over the globe. Ethiopians resident outside of their home country returned for the mammoth celebrations. On a rest day, when the film crew where relaxing, Sister Fire decided to spend the day by herself walking around Haile Selassi’s capital. As a Rastafarian, she felt at home as she passed by the Palace gates to her father’s house. So when she later slipped and hurt her foot, she did not think much of what seemed like a minor inconvenience. She kept on walking, unaware of the long term damage she had initiated.
At the time of writing, she is making regular use of a wheelchair, although, the total paralysis of recent times has disappeared. Just months ago, she checked out of a Johannesburg hospital where she had undergone vigorous and relentless physio-therapy. More radiant than ever, her face and voice belie the turmoil and anguish that has come to define her daily life.
Travelling between Chirimba and Limbe, she faithfully goes about serving her community. If ever proof of her commitment to socio-economic issues was needed, this is it. Refusing to be on the receiving end of pity, she bravely fights back and overcomes personal obstacles in order to serve. As in the days of glamour and celebrity, she is an instant magnet to all who come near her as she floors people with her witty and sharp sense of humor. An air of regal authority almost forms an aura, as the look in her eyes confirm that she has been to hell and back. Working away diligently in obscurity and pain she fights a noble battle.
Tilitonse Children’s Rehabilitation Centre. Based in Dunduzu road, it is in the vicinity of her old work place. The physical distance is short, but the journey between the two places for Sister Fire has been epic. In 2010 hopes of accompanying fellow Rastafarian philanthropist Chiozo on an 18000 kilometer walk from “Cape Town To Cairo were crushed as the minor injury from Addis Ababa began to manifest its different complications. A period of darkness descended upon her life, as she was also burdened with caring for her sick father who was advanced in age. Her father eventually succumbed to a third and fatal stroke, and Sister Fire lost her true soul companion. The trauma left her paralyzed and all treatment in Malawi was abandoned in favor of South Africa. On her return to Malawi she continued the physio therapy regime that was started in Johannesburg. Discussions between herself and Monica her physiotherapist led to the establishment of Tilitonse.
The centre takes into account all the aspects that confront the victims of cerebral palsy in its many variations. As families and careers also are indirect victims, consideration of their needs and duties is also emphasized.
The dream is to offer training, space and a platform for holistic and comprehensive treatment. A meticulous perfectionist in all that she does, Sister Fire is keen to stress that what is visible is only the beginning. Hoping to get support from all her former contacts she eagerly awaits answers to requests she has put out. But this is not radio. This is not glamorous. This not as attractive. So for now she appears to be waiting in vain. However if her previous radio presentations and the dedicated fans she won are anything to go by, Malawi can expect that the talk of the past will become the burning issues and actions of the future with the inextinguishable Sister Fire setting consciences ablaze.
Contact
Tili Tonse childrens rehabilitation centre
P O box 51394 Limbe.
Cell: 0888357655 / 0999145920
0999342354/0996608901
Email : kastigumonica@yahoo.com
