Code goes solo

Musician Code Sangala has changed his stage name to C-O to signal the start of a solo music journey.

However, Malawi’s Big Brother Africa (BBA) II and All Stars representative ruled out a break-up with his brother, Shadre, with whom he attracted fame under the banner of Kapirintiya.

“Kapirintiya will always be the base of my music career. It gave me the ability to express my feelings. People might think that by going solo, that is the end of Kapirintiya — it’s not and that cannot happen,” said C-O.

He said going solo was, in a way, exercising his artistic right.

“Shadre is a bandsman just like I am, so if there could be a scenario that I have differences with him that does not mean I have differences with the group. I have no issues with Kapirintiya or Shadre; I am just a musician celebrating his artistic freedom and that is allowed in the music industry,” he explained.

On whether he can make it alone, C-O said: “Music is about timing. I waited for a while to let the Kapirintiya vibe realise its full potential and I believe it has and still continues to touch people’s lives in so many amazing ways. Think of how Ku Ndirande shaped the music picture in Malawi and how people are blessed each Christmas with the piece Noel.”

He cited Bwenzi Langa as another composition that spices up wedding ceremonies in the country.

However, C-O could not say whether he would return to Kapirintiya.

“Possibilities are endless in life and so I don’t rule out anything and I promise nothing, we can leave it to time… the Lord makes all things beautiful in his time, and I believe this is time for C-O,” he said.

Coming from a musical background where his late father used to play the guitar, C-O first tested the stage with his elder brothers Wallstone who is presently at Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) and Caesar.

After his stint with the Sangala Trio, who at one time toured with Mhango Salvation Singers, he formed Kapirintiya with Shadre.

During the launch of their Tradistic Soul album, C-O invited some of the BBA house-mates including Zimbabwe’s Bertha—the lady he collaborated with in the house to perform the song‘Luwalangu.— www.bigbrotherafrica.com