From bangwe with positivity
Bangwe Township in Blantyre is known for many things, both good and bad. In most narratives and perceptions, the bad has often overshadowed the good.
The area is often associated with lawlessness, substance abuse, crime and other social vices. But two youths from the area are determined to change the narrative and usher in a new view of the place using their singing talent.
The up-and-coming duo of AidFest and Kineo of the Two Two fame says they want to show the world that good things can also come from the township. They say the inspiration they get from the streets is what has shaped their careers.
Kineo says: “For someone to have bad morals, it has everything to do with people that you hang out with. If your circle is clean, then you have nothing to worry about. Most of the time, we hang out with people we look up to, who are fellow musicians.”
Having escaped the distractions on the streets, the duo has set their sights on becoming one of the music groups to be reckoned with in the local music industry. And if the hype created by their recent single Two Two is anything to go by, then the two might just indeed be headed for stardom.
Before teaming up as a duet in 2021, AidFest, born George Matola and Kineo real name Siyabonga Chilabade, were both pushing their artistic childhood dreams at an infant level.
Nineteen-year-old AidFest says he started singing in 2018 while his counterpart Kineo, 18, dropped his first studio song in 2019. They say their academic pursuits then prevented them from fully committing to the music cause.
AidFest says: “Music is my passion. I have always felt like I am a musician since I was young.”
On his part Kineo said: “A majority of my friends are musicians. At first when I heard them singing, I used to think I could not sing. That really pained me. Then I started doing freestyles and I ended up developing something strong.”
Since forming their group, the Bangwe-based artists have released songs such as Player, Pressure, Two Two and Tamutenga. Two Two has since become a billboard of the duo’s brand.
“The song was an idea from my younger sister. She was playing with her peers and she kept on singing the lines. It caught my interest and I decided to explore ideas how I can strengthen it as a full song. I then shared the concept with Kineo and he liked it too,” says AidFest.
Their blossoming careers got an early endorsement when upon the release of Two Two, they were approached by one of the respected names in the industry, Afro-pop artist Kell Kay to do a remix of the song.
The duo says although the approach made them feel excited, it felt surreal.
Kineo says: “He is one of the biggest artists in Malawi. What he did is something big for any up-and-coming artist. When he asked us to feature in our song, we could not believe that it was really happening.”
The duo, who are currently being managed by Kelvin Ngumuya, has hinted that they will release their first extended play soon.
They have a strong message to their fellow youths. Kineo says: “If a person practices good behaviour, it brings you luck. Behaviour is what defines a person. As youths we should always learn to respect each other.
