Saint hooked on Kulima project
Local dancehall artist Saint has been engaged to produce the theme song for EU funded Kulima-School Without Walls project by Malawi government and German organisation GIZ.
The song, Kulima, will be part of the agriculture-centred project model illustration which will also be accompanied by a documentary/small movie. The initiative aims at showcasing how the project works and its impact on modernised agriculture methods.
The Kuseli creator appears to have fitted seamlessly in the concept though he sort of ditched his usual dancehall/reggae style in favour of a more traditional beat which has prominent elements of Ingoma.
In an interview, Saint said he felt special having been recommended and trusted to work on the theme song of such an important project.
He said his selection alone was a big motivation.
Saint said the task of working on something new provided an exciting challenge for him because, as an artist, he always strives to bring out something new when he is in the studio.
“Where there is a song and a melody, there is no big challenge for me. I enjoyed the experience, vibe, session, and writing process. Music is me. It is what I do and what I am. It was even very nice that I got a different touch on a concept which is different as well,” he said.
The artist said he hopes more organisations will come forward to engage artists as they implement their various projects.
Saint said: “I think as artists we need some reflection on how we carry out our trade. We need to approach music as a business and make sure that it fits into the criteria that organisations look for when they want to work with an artist.”
Kulima was produced by C-Kay at Sheds Lab Records and it was released on Sunday though the movie premiere is scheduled for May 7. The virtual event will be beamed live on Zodiak TV.
The 60 minute documentary, produced by German Johannes Preuss, features local smallholder farmers, extension workers and scientists who portray how modern farming methods are helping to beat challenges borne out of climate change and declining soil fertility.
