Mtendere: stich fray’s hit or miss album?

The name Stich Fray needs no introduction in the Malawi music circles. He has been around for some time, giving Malawians good music which has topped charts and left a long-lasting impression among local music lovers.

Stich Fray, real name Steven Chibwazi, is a mult-talented artist who wears many hats such as producer and Afro-pop/reggae dancehall artist. As a producer, the name Stich Fray is behind remarkable productions such as Somebody or Nobody, a classic collaboration of himself, ‘Sir’ Patricks and the late hip-hop artist Revolver.

As a composer and singer, Stich Fray has weaved and released several powerful singles such as Zoti Ndimakukonda in 2017 and Ndinalota and Wa Mini Bus taken from his 2015 Dreams and Thoughts Extended Play (EP). But this article mirrors songs taken from his debut 10-track studio album titled Mtendere, which he dropped after years of successful music career.

To begin with, it is an open secret that Stich Fray is a renowned youthful figure who has been synonymous with Blantyre’s popular neighbourhood of Chilobwe, where his musical footprints started making tracks from a humble beginning. But his cries on Ah Abale, which decries tendencies of some sections of society who want to pull him down by lies and demonic attacks, is somehow overrated. 

He laments how some quarters link him to the death of rapper Revolver in 2016 and his suspected beef or hate with Cholapitsa star Phyzix in 2024. Thematically, artists draw inspiration from different scenarios, including personal experiences and events that happen within their circles. However, Stich Fray stooped so low by repeatedly talking about allegations of his involvement in the death of his friend Revolver.

The song apparently has blown the matter out of proportion, getting unnecessary attention from other circles who hardly knew about this accident in the first place. 

Rhythmically, Ah Abale is a likable tune built on a contemporary beat which opens and ends with dazzling lead guitar patterns and candid bass line.

In Mtendere, the title track , he pleads for freedom in love.  He flexibly sings that love thrives where there is patience and tolerance besides all the material things.

The track accompanies a mournful and harmonising piano and glitzy local drums of Gulewamkulu on the chorus, breathing a typical local style. And the backing vocals accord a marvellous high-pitched voice, which embellishes the entire song. 

Stich Fray still retains a soft spot for reggae dancehall as displayed on the song It’s Still Me, an impressive collaboration with Queen Fyah, one of the finest reggae artists in Malawi. 

With a flamboyant bass line which marries the mellow reggae dancehall rhythm, Queen Fyah slickly floats on the song as she turns herself into a vocal beast. She skilfully sings different voices with diverse projections as well.  

Precisely, she glows with three different voices both on the hook and chorus. Both Queen Fyah and Stich Fray ignite the fire on the chorus as they give the best of their poignant singing.  

Stich Fray gets on the reggae groove again on Wagwa which features the self-acclaimed King of ragga Anne Matumbi.

Wagwa is a jubilation song on which Stich Fray is celebrating his triumph over bad expectations and traps set against him by some evil-minded people. The song employs a simple relatable reggae rhythm, which can thrill during a live gig and kindle a Black Missionaries-like vibe.

If truth be told, Stich Fray has done a good job in all the collaborations with other artists on the album. 

Mzanga is another powerful manganje-inspired piece which features DNA.

Then there is Gentleman featuring Nepman. Basically, the two songs celebrate love in incredible ways where a perfect partner is touted to have been found on Mzanga and man gloried on Gentleman.

The album also features a remake of Evison Matafale’s Nkhawa Bii. The song employs a fusion of sentimental music instruments drawn from a diverse feel like Ingoma, Afro -pop and amapiano, which successfully ride on the original Nkhawa Bii’s leading keyboard. 

From the above songs, a real picture about Stich Fray’s Mtendere album can be drawn. The unique thing about this album is the fusion of music genres, which offer the listeners a wide range of music choice.  Lyrically, a theme of love is dominant.

Lastly, I would like to salute Stich’s Creative Boutique Studios for composing, writing and arranging all the songs on Mtendele album for their imagination.