Kuimba 10 docks in Lilongwe
It has been an inspiring journey. And challenging at times as they moved through the hurdle that is music in Malawi. Like a toddler, they crawled and moved all the way to the top.
Some key members were called to God’s glory, threatening the very existence of the band, but they held on to the fabric that binds the Black Missionaries together, to be the undisputable reggae band in Malawi.
From the loins and blood of some of the celebrated Malawian artists; Robert Fumulani and Donald Kachamba, a new music muso was born in 1998. Evison Matafale, in 2000 formed The Black Missionaries band, with whom he released his Kuimba 2 album.
Fate did not allow him to go beyond that as a year later, the controversial reggae maestro died under questionable circumstances.
Fans of the band and music lovers in general appreciate the influence Matafale left behind. His legacy still remains unparalleled as, in death, his music still attracts attention when it is played.
The future of the promising band looked so bleak, such that many wrote it off. But the Kuimba legacy was safe, in the hands of Musamude Fumulani, a young intelligent man, blessed with lyrical content wisdom as well as vocals.
After years of coming to terms with the sudden departure of the Time Mark hit-maker as well as seeming self-rediscovery, Musamude took the ship from hibernation, and a new chapter was written for the Black Missionaries with Kuimba 3.
Fans accepted the album and the band had just hit the jackpot as a year later, with Kuimba 4, it won the hearts of many. The Blacks, as they are fondly called, scooped the first and second position of the MBC’s Entertainers of the Year awards of the best song category as well as the best band award.
Ndamusowa was number one with Mwana wa Munthu on the second position.
Musamude steered the band to greater heights until 2007 when he died just after recording a few songs in Kuimba 6.
His younger brother, Anjiru, who all the while was more of the face of the band making others mistaken him as the leader, took over the mantle.
Fast forward to last Sunday when the band launched Kuimba 10.
From the young artists, mostly understudying Matafale and Musamude, the Chileka boys are now fully fledged musicians. No wonder, the album has several twists and turns that have resulted in band members such as Peter Amidu showing his singing prowess apart from his trademark bass guitar.
They gave Lilongwe fans that converged at the golf club a rare treat with Tizingocheza and Sindingakwanitse released among the four singles, as the anthems of the night.
“Ibwelerenso [encore],” the fans shouted once the songs ended and the Black Missionaries would gladly oblige. And so the fans would sing along as well as dance in unison with the band’s routines. The fans sung along to almost all the songs from the new album including Sikwathu and Musaweruze.
Their new producer Amos Mlolowa of Active A Records in Ndirande, who replaced Ralph Ching’amba, was also in a world of his own, singing and dancing along to each and every tune.
“This is the best launch ever for Ma Blacks,” Anjiru repeatedly told the ecstatic cloud.
He reiterated that in an emotional interview: “Ndiri ndi mantha [I am scared], we anticipated a big turnout but this has surpassed all our imaginations. Blantyre was also good as the Robin’s Park was filled to the brim, but Lilongwe, this is something else. This is our best launch ever in Malawi.”
Face down and visibly overwhelmed, he continued: “We owe our success to the support fans give us and the creator. The Black Missionaries legacy continues.”
His sharp stark of a smile arguably read how optimistic he is of the future. The collection of the Black Missionaries albums from Kuimba 1 to Kuimba 10 is a journey and surely, the journey continues as the reggae band is still on top of it.
