Skeffa sells 7 000 CDs

Jam-packed, splendid and successful. These are the superlatives that have been used to describe Skeffa Chimoto’s album launches held in Zomba, Blantyre and Lilongwe over the weekend.

In all the shows, where the Lilongwe-based musician was launching his fifth album Chikondi, fans had to scramble for entry into the venues.

Zomba, which lost its record in terms of witnessing huge patronages at music shows, sent a different message to organisers of music shows on Friday when the popular fun host DNC Hall accommodated the largest patronage in the city in recent years.

It could have been history had Blantyre and Lilongwe been outclassed.

Blantyre, which had several music shows and performances including the final eviction of Sunbird’s Search for a Star, also proved its love for the singer by filling Robins Park to capacity.

Home is best, and so it showed. Lilongwe and the surrounding areas also gave an overwhelming response with the largest patronage at the glorious Europa Wakawaka Hotel that beat both Zomba and Blantyre.

So congested was the venue that at some point, the gates at Wakawaka had to be closed to stop any further patronage.

A spellbound Skeffa noted: “I am short of words. Malawians have given me the support I have never imagined to have in my music career. I know people are falling in love with the album more especially Chinamuluma Chakuda, but I cannot conceal it, the turn-up was beyond my expectation.”

Patrons at all venues received a free CD, whose charge was included in the entry fee of K2 500 (US$6.25).

According to Skeffa, over 7 000 CDs were given out at all the three venues.

“It is a record success to my career. It is not easy to sell 7 000 CDs in just a weekend especially this time when piracy has taken its toll.

“I say thank you to all fans that gave me the support,” he said, while extending his gratitude to MultiChoice Malawi for supporting the launch shows.

Despite the thrill of ‘free’ CD’s, more exciting were the music performances.

None of the invited artists disappointed. Zambia’s Dalisoul, The Black Missionaries and Piksy, among others, gave it their best. And, as host, Skeffa made sure the public got the best from him with Chinamuluma Chakuda being the patrons’ favourite.