Writing Christmas songs on the decline?

Christmas has been with us for hundreds of years. Our ancestors enjoyed Christmas in their own ways which is quite different from the way we are celebrating the day nowadays.

However, one thing has not changed. The Christmas season is time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the founder of the Christian faith. It is in this spirit that Christians world over found creative means of celebrating the day.

One of the major characteristics of the day are Christmas carols. These are special songs that believers sing on this day and around this period to show their festive mood and to worship the Son of God, Jesus Christ in accordance to the faith.

But are Malawian artists composing any new Christmas carols? Are they doing anything different this Christmas to celebrate the day?

CO, real name Code Sangala, who with his brother Shadre trading as Kapilintiya, once released an all-Christmas carols album years back, said this year he has not recorded anything.

“This year as CO I haven’t recorded anything. I have, however, as part of the Kapirintiya made a deal to release the album Noel on digital platform again probably by December 20. As soon as the deal is signed, the whole Christmas album which we recorded back in the day, will be available and Malawians can enjoy the songs during the festive season,” said CO.

Fredokiss, real name Penjani Kalua, said he has not recorded any special Christmas songs and will not be holding any shows. He, however, said he will spend time with family, reconnecting with God and doing some charity activities.

“No more shows this year,” said Fredokiss who recently held a free concert for the youth of Mzuzu.

Patience Namadingo, a gospel artist who has been busy this year, said he too has not composed any new Christmas song for the season.

“However, I have organised a show that will set the mood for the Christmas celebrations. My show will be on December 23 at Bingu International Conference Centre (Bicc) where apart from praising God through songs, I will also take the opportunity to set the mood for Christmas,” he said.

The gospel group The Great Angels Choir also admitted that it has not composed any Christmas songs.

Choir leader Ephraim Zonda said they have not recorded any Christmas songs, but are in the process of recording their new album titled Ufumu Umodzi Sumawukilana.

“However, we are aware that Malawians will be in a celebratory mood. Therefore, we have organised a series of shows to launch our live DVD which was shot during our website launch at Bicc this year,” he said.

Not all is lost for the music lovers though as there is one artist, Tay Grin, who has dropped new songs this Christmas period.

“It’s a special Christmas present for my fans. It’s an extended playlist (EP) called Festive Vibes and it’s full of club bangers,” promised Tay Grin.

But, as expected, Tay Grin is a hip hop artist who does secular music so his EP is of secular songs and not necessarily Christmas carols.

One music fan, John Missi, blamed Malawian artists of lacking creativity to capitalize on the season to release special Christmas songs.

“Our artists do not think outside the box. Many big, famous international artists such as Mariah Carey and Toni Braxton have Christmas carols or special Christmas songs. But here our artists do not think big,” he said.

Another fan who only identified himself as William ,said generally the spirit of Christmas is changing and declining in Malawi; hence, the lack of special Christmas songs during this time.

As the Christmas Day draws near, one can only rely on church choirs for the same old Christmas carols such as Merry Christmas for a complete Christmas celebration.