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Continental awards beckon Malawian musicians

Malawian artists’ gropping in the dark in their quest for international recognition might just be a thing of the past if they grab the opportunity presented by continental awards ceremonies such as the All Africa Music Awards (Afrima), MTV Africa Music Awards (Mamas) and the Channel O Music Awards.

The Afrimas, which pride itself as the ultimate recognition of African music globally, recently invited entries for this season’s awards, and legendary musician Lucius Banda says he is geared up, having been inspired by Lawi’s showing during last year’s Afrimas.

Lucius: I am not ashamed to say that I am following in Lawi's footsteps
Lucius: I am not ashamed to say that I am following in Lawi’s footsteps

Afrima is a combined effort to recognise and award, promote and preserve Africa’s rich music culture.

The Afrimas are designed to promote the distinct rich African music worldwide, engaging millions of fans by propelling African music to glorious pinnacles beyond the borders of Africa.

“In Africa, music is always seen as inseparable from human existence. It carries long traditions and values that are associated with the people and represents part of their identities. Music in African societies, as it functions in many different societies in the world, has enormous value. Music, either making it or listening to it, is linked to life experiences and people’s culture,” reads the Afrima mission statement on their website.

Contemporary Afro-soul musician Lawi, who shook the music scene with his self-titled debut album last season, was a finalist at last year’s Afrimas in the Best Africa Artiste (Southern Africa) category.

This year’s awards ceremony will be held in Lagos, Nigeria on November 20.

In an interview with On the Arts, Lawi said his participation in the awards last year was an opportunity that should be experienced by every artist worth their salt.

“It was a great opportunity for me as an artist to expose my work to the rest of the continent and considering they get so many submissions and they considered mine as fit for the category. It felt great because I knew it automatically exposed my art by increasing my fan base,” he said.

Lawi, who shot to fame with his hit AmaonaKuchedwa, said the experience encouraged him to work harder.

“There are so many opportunities that pass by because we are in our comfort zone. I am pushed to live up to the standards of professional musicianship regardless of where I come from and what resources I may have,” he said, before challenging more local artists to try their luck in this year’s awards.

“I would encourage local musicians to try their luck. You never know when your lucky break may be,” he said.

On his part, Lucius said he is not taking Lawi’s challenge lightly.

“I am definitely submitting some of my music from the Thank You album. I have been encouraged by Lawi himself and I am not ashamed to say that I am following in his footsteps,” he said.

Lucius, whose song Nthungululuin the Thank You album was composed, arranged and produced by Lawi, said after three decades in the music business, it is about time to look beyond Malawi.

“Having performed for 30 years, it is about time we tried to bring international awards,” he said.

Afrima’s vision is the ultimate recognition of African music globally with a mission to produce an international platform to celebrate our cultural heritage and values, rewarding up and coming as well as established talent and creating sustainable growth of the African music industry as a contributor to national and continental economies.

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