Janta wins through loss

If there is one artist who has sung about love from different perspective then it is Janta, real name Shukurani Mwechumu.

The singer-cum-composer-cum-producer introduced himself on the local music scene in 2015 through the release of his album My Name. Very few people can remember what really was contained in this musical offering but surely they won’t forget one of the songs from the placement Divorce.

In the particular song the protagonist gave up on the efforts she had invested in her love relationship and she was convinced separating with her husband was the only viable option.

Ili ndi banja lotani lomangokhalira kuyambanaaaahaah!/ Ndisapite kumadzi akuti ndukakumana ndi amunaaahaah!/ Ndisawapatse kamkomya akuti ndathira konda ine,/ Ndisafeletubanja, ndisafere chikondi amuna angasafuna ine ayi/…goes the song in part.

Then in 2020, the Lilongwe-based artist released another smash-hit Ndendende which featured rapper Macelba. In this song Janta is lavishing his love with praise for being exactly the person that he has always asked God to give him.

He even credits him with being responsible for his behaviour transformation. He seized the opportunity to even mock his peers whom he says used to say he will never find true love.

He sings: Pena amzanga onse amkandiseka/ Amkati sindidzapeza mwamuna/ Kodi ndidzakhala mbeta mpakaliti?/ Ambuye pemphero langa mundiyankhe/Ndikati ndikhale ndi uyu wandisiya…

Then early this year the song composer released another love ballad Undisayinile. In Undisayinile the artist decided to go a bit timid about love.

Given his past experiences he said he was now afraid of falling in love. He, therefore, needed an assurance from his lover that he is for real and he will stay forever.

Listen love, anali ponso ena mbava/Anandibera mtima wanga, nawuzunza/ Nauwondetsa, nawuyika pa mphepo. Sikuti mtima okondawu ndilibe ine honey koma ndili ndimantha kuti sudzandipanga zomwe anandipangaawo! Thupi langa lonse likuopa kuti ndikukonde…goes the song.

“I have always enjoyed singing about love. It is very complex, therefore, you can draw many topics from the theme. Some real and others not,” said the 30-year old musician in an interview.

All this while the artist hasn’t revealed what has been the source of all these love stories and songs. But now, following the highly publicised separation from his wife, Janta has met another love in his life—music. The devastation that he faced has given birth to another ballad, Chisoni.

Given the story behind it, the song is emotionally moving. When one listens to it you can feel how the person is hurting. The pain of heartbreak can be heard through lyrics. His unmistakable deep voice was not enough to coat his frustrations. His tears are evident in Chisoni.

He said one night as he couldn’t sleep he decided to go into his studio. Probably to pass time rather tossing and turning on his now empty bed. His stay in the studio from midnight to 4:30 am allowed him to compose, sing, mix and record the song Chisoni.

Ukanandiuza iwe, kusiyana kuzunza moyo wamzako, chikondi cha mzakoiwe! Ndalira, Ndalira, Ndalira ine! Mpakana ndafika pomadzimvera chosoni ine!..goes the song.

The singer says he even contemplated suicide because of what he went through.

In an earlier interview with The Nation he said: “I am heartbroken. The lady I loved so much and that I thought I would spend my whole life with has disappointed me. But I told myself that there are other options in life I should just move on.”

It is very clear though that from his heartbreak, art, in particular music has won. As he said he spoke on behalf of so many other men who are also going through a similar predicament but for some reasons can’t speak out.

Janta says: “After I released the song I felt some relief. I took some things off my chest. At first I thought people will mock me for crying over a woman but instead I have received huge support from a lot of people. They have identified with my story.”

Music and arts commentator Wonderful Mkutche said what happened to Janta can happen to anyone.

“It is helpful when we express what is troubling us. Janta has freed himself from thoughts on the matter. With the shows he is having, performing the song will act like a further healing for him,” he says.