Lilongwe rappers flirt with fashion

Sungununu of Miyambi fame have launched a fashion line called Sungununu Mwana.

The Lilongwe-based hip hop trio, comprising Gowa, Janta and Essim, started like a dancing crew which participated in an international competition in South Africa five years ago.

According to Gowa (real name Enestollias Magowa), the launch of the clothing line is part of their moves towards self-sustenance.

“We have started with T-shirts, which are selling at K2 000 [about $12]. We hope to scale up to other products soon. Apart from being a source of income, this will give our fans a chance to associate with our music, image and our lives,” he said.

Essim added that most up-and-coming artists fail to make it big because they rely heavily on veterans who are also their competitors.

“We do almost everything— from composing to recording, shooting and editing—on our own. Even the designing of the T-shirts is our own creation,” Essim said.

Nonetheless, they saluted Q (Qabaniso Malawezi) and Dominant 1 as producers who have taught them skills of the trade and seen them grow from nowhere”.

Meanwhile, the group plans to release Gwireko Nkono DVD in June. The compilation includes Mwana wa Eni, Chiswamtima, Masomphenya, Mbiri and Nsanje.