Shamboko Beverages, a Lilongwe-based alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages production company is investing in local Hip-Hop music talent search as a way of promoting Malawian urban talent, with the first initiative dubbed “Timeout Cyphers” rolling this weekend, Saturday 4th July 2015 at Mbowe Filling Station from 13:30 to 17:30.
TimeOut is one of the products by Shamboko Beverages and is funding the project to the tune of K7 million. The show will run in seasons with the first season, which has six episodes, scheduled to end in December.
Contenders will have to battle in the cyphers and the winner of each episode will have free recording deals at Studio6, with free beats from Lilongwe-based veteran Hip-Hop producer Dominant One aka D1, who will also be the host of the “Timeout Cypher” show, whose video recordings will be featured on all leading entertainment shows on local televisions including MBCtv, Zodiak TV, Timveni TV and Times TV every last Friday of the month.
Caleb Kawamba, Head of Marketing & Sales at Shamboko Beverages, says: “We have invested in promoting entertainment events before such as social weekends in schools like Bunda College and NRC as well as the launch of Gwamba’s first album and have noticed that Hip-Hop/Rap music has a big influence on young people, especially urban youths.
“We have decided to make this our first initiative on the basis that we will be promoting the talent as well as providing entertainment. At the end of Season 1 we will produce the Cypher featuring the best MC’s (rappers) in Season 1 and that’s six artists.”
Shamboko Beverages, which also produces the popular local cream liquor called “Ngwazi” as well as bottled and sachet water called “Nyanja ndi Yathu”, have big plans to invest in the local entertainment industry as they are also looking at the dance and fashion industries with great interest.
“Dancing competitions will surely be a part of ‘Timeout Cyphers Season 2’ but will definitely incorporate some during the first season [and] maybe soon we will announce another initiative towards fashion,” indicates Kawamba.
Currently, registration for the “TimeOut Cyphers” from interested candidates is underway via Whatsapp, SMS or Calls on this number +265995838307, which you can also call for more information. The launch show this Saturday will feature guest Hip-Hop artists Martse, Krazie G, Sage Poet and many more. Entry is free.
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