Agorosso’s unsung song
Jah people, our obsession with reggae and other danceable beats makes a lot of good music go unnoticed under our noses.
I am not here to name and shame any cheap music that enjoys exaggerated replays in our midst, but to congratulate Agorosso for emerging Best Achievement in Soundtrack Winner at the African Movie Academy Awards (Amaa) last Friday.
This brings smiles to Malawians who endured a haphazardly organised nomination gala in Lilongwe where Shemu Joyah earned five nods, including Agorosso’s.
This is the first accolade for a promising career that has always been celebrated by few people outside the media.
The press might have arguably killed former President Bingu wa Mutharika with their hateful verses, but it has never tired chronicling Agorosso’s path to greatness.
To me, it is no surprise that Nigeria stood up for the afro-jazz star whose life of struggle includes an over 250km walk from the sweltering sunshine of his Bangula enclave, Nsanje, to Blantyre in search of a broader market for his unsung songs.
Born Lloyd Phaundi, the star has performed alongside award-winning veteran Oliver Mtukudzi twice.
Once, the visiting legend, who did the soundtrack for the film Neria, was so impressed that he offered to record him at his Harare studios.
At least, the rejected star has finally found admirers and something to smile about—but beyond his country where his shows are dominated by expatriates and radio stations have no charts for local jazz which made Wambali Mkandawire an international hit.
Such is life at a time a president can claim to have stopped reading newspapers while complaining about a recent cartoon based on what was supposed to be their front-page exclaimer—a meeting with a fellow mortal!
As politicians see no hypocrisy in claiming that they stopped watching MBC TV while confessing seeing an opposition figure on its bulletin, I am only happy to share Agorosso’s moment of joy and truth.
But I must stop here because flattery has taught me that too much praise-singing is as hazardous as the bad press that arguably killed Bingu.
