Lawi signed by UK manager

Following the success of the debut album, the country’s hottest music star Lawi is on the verge of breaking onto the international market following his signing to UK-based Friday Arts.

The agreement was signed in South Africa by Friday Arts’ Farai Msika.

In an exclusive interview with Chill, the Afro-soul musician said the arrangement signals a new step in his career.

“I think it is a good thing for an artist to have representation. Another party that will help steer your career. I am not necessarily signed to a company or music label. I just have a professional artist manager who is quite big in the African music industry. He is also Ray Phiri’s manager,” he said.

Lawi, real name Francis Phiri, broke onto the music scene with his Amaona Kuchedwa hit off his highly acclaimed self-titled debut album.

The artist notes that since the album, he has been working at breaking onto the international scene.

“Just as we all have dreams, I have been working hard behind the scenes to ensure that my work goes far and wide and this is just part of the result of the work that goes on behind. I would want to see my music go to all parts of the world, get business opportunities on a global scale too and so far this is no longer a dream for me, it is happening. Since the signing, we have been in more business outside Malawi and Africa, we look forward to more,” he said.

According to Lawi, Friday Arts were notified of his talent through his work with local non-governmental organisation (NGO) iCare and also through his performance at last year’s Lake of Stars Festival.

“We came together to raise funds for the communities that get affected by floods in Salima as well as assist the ICU at Kamuzu Central Hospital with the proceeds.

“They came into Malawi with Uncle Ray [Phiri] and loved what they heard when we performed. They went back home and got in touch,” he said.

Apart from Ray Phiri, Friday Arts also manage Hollywood actor Terry Crews, among other stars.

The musician, who was nominated for last year’s All Africa Music Awards (Afrima) told Chill that he began writing material that will hopefully make the next album.

He explained: “It’s a process, it takes time and I am enjoying it. I cannot promise anything this year, maybe later next year.”

But the artist, who was born and raised in Blantyre and got involved with music at a very young age, said he will still be doing performances and he will have one or two in Malawi before the year ends.

Lawi noted that the Afrimas helped raise viability for him as an artist and there has been much business activity since.

“A lot of musicians from across Africa and Europe have got in touch and there are a number of proposed collaborations and we are doing although some are just networking,” he said, adding that the response to the album was quite overwhelming.

“I think the album did and continues to do much well on the international scene than I expected considering the music was not available online and we have been able to export CDs. We still get orders in large quantities.

“From the demand, we will now use companies who have expressed interest in marketing and distributing my work worldwide which should make distribution very easy,” he said.

Lawi started his music career playing guitar in church and pianos for the praise team at Assemblies of God Church in Nkolokosa, Blantyre.

The musician has worked with Lucius Banda, David Kalilani, Q Malewezi, Faith Mussa, Peter Mawanga, and K.B.G, among others.

Lawi’s self-titled album Lawi was released on December 15 2013.