Lawi sets performance standards

Those who have the audacity of seeking cheap labour by hiring musicians to perform using CDs should brace for tough times if Lawi is one of those on their mind.

In an interview with The Nation on Sunday night, on the sidelines of his Botswana tour, Lawi said he is in the vigorous process of building a brand for himself and his Mango Band; hence, putting much emphasis on live band performances.

“We simply do not perform using CDs because we love to give our audience true value. Others may prefer them but CD performances are totally out of the question for us in this regard,” said Lawi.

He said his music career is about setting standards for the purposes of serving the interests of his audience well, as well as building a reputable brand.

“It’s not a question of performing everywhere, at any given time, but setting standards for yourself as a brand,” said Lawi.

Lawi, alongside Mango Band, travelled to Botswana for a number of music performances. He had a chance of celebrating Malawi’s 51 years of independence together with the Malawi community living in Botswana.

Lawi and the Mango Band also performed at other popular venues such as the Jazz Café, where we brushed shoulders with Botswana industry gurus such as Uncle Shima and John Selolwane.

Commenting on his Botwana tour, Lawi said it was enriching for Malawians to explore other opportunities outside.

Each year, the community organises a dinner to celebrate Malawi’s Independence Day.

Since 2013, a Malawian band is invited to perform during the celebrations and this year they invited Lawi and his Mango Band.

“Such opportunities bring about a great experience because we networked and loved the time,” said Lawi.

“It was very good! It was a great experience, we were shocked that the former president Festus Mogae who was the guest of honour, did not want to leave even when he was excused. He said he was enjoying the music. That is so great! It ended at around 2am and surely he and all those that came must have been tired after a good time,” said an enchanted Lawi in an interview from Gaborone.

He added: “Everyone seemed in a great mood and I didn’t know we have a big community of Malawians in Botswana.”

According to the secretary of the Malawi Community in Botswana, Misozi Kanyama, independence celebration events are one of the platforms Malawians use to raise money for different charity works.

“It was good hosting Lawi, after the Black Missionaries and Skeffa Chimoto in 2013 and 2014 respectively. The money raised during such events is either donated in Malawi or here depending on the needs on the ground. For instance, during the recent floods we bought assorted items and sent them to Malawi where they were donated to flood victims,” she said.

Lawi, who is also co-founder and executive producer at Lawi Multimedia Garage in Lilongwe’s Area 14, is an Afro-soul artist who has been around for some time.

He came into music limelight around 2007 upon releasing his two powerful singes Amati Andikawe and Satana Luma. But his musical journey can be traced back as early as 1990s while he was a primary school chap in Chitawira, Blantyre.

He began his professional music production with urban artist called Tanaposi before producing his first single Amenyele Kankhuku around 2005.

The success of Amenyere Kankhuku gave him a drive to release follow up singles: Amati Andikawe then Satana Luma.

Then he left for South Africa in search of greener pastures.

Under his belt, Lawi has a 16-track self-titled debut album. The album features popular tracks such as Amaona Kuchedwa and The Whistling Song.