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Access boosts Maskal album launch

Access Communication Limited (ACL) has given Maskal a boost ahead of the launch of his second album next month—disclosing that he is still the firm’s poster face despite being fired by Nde’feyo Entertainment.

The Access brand ambassador (born MasiyeKasalu) will launch Umunthu at Country Club Limbe on November 4—three months after falling out of grace with the label.

However, Access chief executive officer Faizal Okhai told the press in Blantyre the phone company has nothing against Maskal and Nde’feyo although they want to see the afro-pop singer enjoying good managerial relationships.

“As Access, we signed Maskal as our ambassador and the contract is still intact. We are very happy to grow with him and we hope his second album will be a success,” said Okhai on Monday.

He indicated that Access customer base has almost doubled since they engaged the urban music sensation last year, trumpeting the singer as the perfect personification of Access as a brand on the rise.

“As a young and innovative brand, the first phase of our partnership with Maskal was a learning curve marked with mistakes and successes. But when we see older players in the sector following our footsteps, we feel we did the right thing to have a brand ambassador,” he said.

Lately, Airtel has engaged Maskal’sWa CV co-hitmaker Piksy as its rep and speculation shows Armstrong is about to clinch a deal with another phone company.

In an interview, Maskal described the transition from the first album, Nthawi, as “a long journey” of trying to maintain his award-winning touch, but believes the botched deal has not taken away his fans.

“In my new album, I have defined my world in relation to our society, trying to locate where Umunthu makes a difference in human relations,” said the artist who is being managed by Dove Tale managing director Eric Khonyongwa in the interim.

Khonyongwa hinted that there are “a few hinges that need to be greased” before they make a public statement on the state of Nde’feyo deal which admittedly collapsed without any written communication to Maskal.

The 2011 Malawian Music Award Afro-pop artist will launch Umunthu just 16 days before his 27th birthday. Guest artists include undisputed reggae kings Black Missionaries, Shupie star Dan Lufani, jamming machine Skeffa Chimoto and rapper Young Kay.

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