Are you going to feed me? Nkasa fumes after criticism

Joseph Nkasa says he will not stop singing for politicians, saying he has family to feed.

He was reacting to criticisms for playing music at at a Malawi Congress Party (MCP) convention in Lilongwe last week.

Nkasa told our sister paper Weekend Nation two years ago that he has stopped singing for politicians since they are only interested in achieving their objectives.

“I will never do political praise songs again. I have scars in my face which are a result of my indulgence in the political space. I learnt my lessons,” he said then.

During Cruise 5 programme on Zodiak Broadcasting Station with Joab Chakhaza in 2021, Nkasa also vowed not to compose songs for politicians.

He claimed that former president Bakili Muluzi promised him a vehicle which he did not get and that he has not benefitted from other songs in which he praised politicians.

Last Friday, the musician cut the line twice after asking about his involvement at the MCP convention.

But in an interview on Tuesday, Nkasa said he is an artist first and nothing will prevent him from working with any interest groups as long as they are paying him.

“Those people who are accusing me of not being objective, will they feed me at home and my family? I am here to survive using my talent and I will continue working with MCP till the end,” he said.

The Anamva hit-maker said he has forgiven all politicians who used him before and that he won’t use that resentment to deprive others of his services.

He said: “I have worked with several politicians and political parties, but none of them can come here to testify that I was a member of their party. I am just an artist who is earning a living through talent.

“It is hard for us as old-timers to survive the terrain as new trends are coming up almost every day. But I will do my best to survive.”

The artist crafted Mose wa Lero song in praise of Democratic Progressive Party founder Bingu wa Mutharika.