Ralph Ching’amba to lead multinational band

Renowned music producer Ralph Ching’amba, who has names such as The Black Missionaries, Lucius Banda and Anthony Makondetsa on his portfolio, is in South Africa to record an album titled We Need Love with The Black Prophets Band.

Chin’gamba told Chill that he was noticed by owner of the band Rob Prophet, a Ugandan based in Botswana, for whom he produced an album at Ralph Records two years ago.

Ching’amba further added that he has been recruited as band leader of The Black Prophets and a first pianist apart from being a producer of the band’s upcoming album.

“For the time being, I am based in Johannesburg until sometime in March when we will have a launch for the group and the album and embark on an African tour,” said Ching’amba.

Chingamba, who owns Ralph Records studio in Namiyango, Blantyre said soon after a media launch at Downtown Studios in Johannesburg, the band will kick-start the tour with a concert in the South African commercial capital, before taking the album to Africa and then Europe.

Ching’amba said he feels honoured that Rob Prophet trusted him with the responsibility of being producer and band leader of Black Prophets.

“I am learning and growing every day and this project has opened my eyes to see how people do it on the international scene,” said Ching’amba.

He noted that Black Prophets Music Publishing Company has a lot of connections all over the world for live gigs and selling music.

“I will use these connections to sign some Malawian artists and push them on to the international scene,” said Ching’amba.

The Black Prophets is composed of artists from Malawi, Zimbabwe and Uganda and besides being the band leader, Ching’amba will work alongside Thuthukani Cele of Lucky Dube’s Slaves at Downtown Studios to record the band’s album.

“We signed a deal that we should use Downtown Studios to record and master our music,” said Ching’amba.

Downtown Studios is a top South African studio where South African reggae legend Lucky Dube used to record his albums.

Ching’amba is no stranger there as it is where he produced Lucius Banda’s Time.