In the early 2000s, the name Lloyd Phiri was almost synonymous with gospel music in Malawi. Today, the same cannot be said anymore.
In recent years, time and dynamics of the trade, coupled with his inactivity, pushed him to the peripherals of the Malawi music narrative. His last album, Sachedwa Safulumira came in 2012.
Meanwhile, the artist says his hibernation was due to personal and financial reasons.
Phiri said: “Things are different these days. For one to release an album now, you require a good financial muscle. Previously, we could release an audio version of an album then later produce a DVD. It is no longer the case now.
“If you want things to work, the two have to come out simultaneously. I also had some personal issues. I needed to put my house in order first for me to concentrate on the ministry.”
But after years of inactivity, the Afuna Ulape star has made a comeback with the release of his ninth career album Pemphero Silinama.
The 43-year-old artist said he has confidence the offering will help him retain the status as one the best gospel musicians in the country.
Phiri said: “I have focused on three key messages in the album. One is about evangelism as I want people to know about God. I have also tackled one subject rarely talked about, which is corruption. I have underlined the power of prayer and how effective it is.”
The musician, now based in Lilongwe, believes the long years he has stayed out of the limelight will not be a barrier to re-establishing himself. He said the generation which identifies with his music is still yearning for his music.
“There are times when you lose a bit of belief in yourself and that is where I got at some point. But there has been pressure from my fans for me to come back. They say the music being released now is not resonating with their age and that the gap I left is not filled yet,” he said.
Phiri said as a way of trying to align himself with the preferences of his fan base, he will make some adjustments to his approach such as choice of venues and the style of music he produces.
Reacting to the news, Phiri’s fans expressed happiness with his return.
One of them Godfrey Moyo wrote: “I believe he will not disappoint. Lloyd Phiri is the face of gospel music and I cannot wait to sample his new music.”
Another fan identified as Lally said: “When can we access the album? Lloyd Phiri is what I call a full grown and mature artist.”
In the new album, Phiri has reunited with four members from the original backing group Happiness Voices. He said the membership of the group has now risen to 19 who are spread across the three regions.
The album has been recorded at One Heart Studios and produced by Phiri himself. Revered guitarist Peter Likhomo is among the instrumentalists who feature in the album. The album is already on the market and its official launch has been tentatively slated for August.
