Malala’s Lazy Slaves outshines laziness

Emerging Afro musician Malala’s newly-formed band, Lazy Slaves, on Friday night proved way too good when they put up a sparkling performance at Kwa Haraba Arts Gallery and Café in Blantyre.
Inspired by atrocities of slave trade in most parts of Africa, including Malawi many years ago, Malala named his band Lazy Slaves.

But contrary to the name, which suggests sluggishness, the band delivered a sturdy performance that also happened to be the official launch of the artist’s single Nzanga Bulaki.
From tantalising guitars to sparkling lights that brightened the performers on stage, Lazy Slaves took the sizable audience through a ride of intriguing vibes.
Malala, a music graduate from University of Malawi’s Chancellor College, performed for almost two hours, proving his stage work.  
When he bowed out, his band members extended the live act of Nzanga Bulaki to demonstrate their different levels of skill on drums, keyboard, piano, bass and lead guitars, and percussions, to the amazement of the audience.
However, it was Emmanuel Milanzi on the lead guitar, who was the toast of the night for his glitzy tactics. Lazy Slaves also employed the services of Mibawa’s youthful band member Chifundo Harrison, who made an impressive show on drums.
Harrison is a product of the Unicef-funded Action for Adolescents and Youth
(A4AY) Band, which was formed and trained at Mibawa Studios in Blantyre.
In an interview, Malala said the single’s launch, which fetched over K50 000 during auction, was a rousing start.
“This is an impressive start for me and the Lazy Slaves. We are just a small band yet overwhelmed with the support we have received tonight. I don’t take it for granted,” said Malala whose real name is James Kuchila.
Musician Wachituta of Kuwala Creations, who attended Malala’s launch, described it as remarkable.
“They have demonstrated potential to become another youthful band to reckon with in the country,” said Wachituta.  
Nzanga Bulaki delves into the plight of Malawians as far as persistent power blackouts are concerned. But Malala had all the reasons to thank Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) for not tampering with power in the commercial city during the Friday night. n