Sounds from Phalombe

For everything that it is known for, the so-called Lhomwe belt has produced some of the most interesting music composers across generations.

From the old generation of Allan Namoko, Michael Mukhito Phiri alias Michael Yekha, Namakhwa Brothers Band and Saleta Phiri to Joe Gwaladi, Joseph Nkasa and Thomas Chibade who represent the new generation, they have all thrived in their own right.

Artists from the ‘Lhomwe belt’ districts of Thyolo, Mulanje, Phalombe and Chiradzulu possess a unique and common quality in the way they compose and present their songs. The masterly with which they tell their stories is intriguing and has the power to hook one and take them on rollercoaster of imaginations.

For some time, another kid on the block has been knocking on the door, hoping to be inducted in the hall of music greats. His name is none other than Gift Pearson, who is better known as Gibo Pearson in the music circles.

Gibo Pearson has invented his own brand which he has labelled Phalombe Music. In an interview with Chill, the artist said Phalombe Music represents his genre and is also the name of his football team.

“If you listen carefully to my music, you will notice it has traditional elements. I fuse that with rhymes which bring out a unique touch only identified with me. That is what Phalombe Music is about,” he says.

If his previous efforts were not enough to catch people’s  attention, then Gibo Pearson’s latest single Idzathera Ma Penalty has certainly done the trick. Without trying to sound sophisticated in any way, the artist tells a love story in a manner never heard before.

Brandishing some apparent arrogance and ego, the artist delivers subtle threats about what his partner will face in the event that she dumps him. He even goes further by stating that he will even cast a spell on her by referring to a common illness called kasipa, a condition associated with witchcraft.

He says by referring to kasipa, it doesn’t mean that he believes in the stories associated with it, but he just wants to scare women who dump their men for no reason.

Said Pearson: “I bring in that element to cement the case that I am putting across in my narrative. People should not read too much into the analogy. It is about heartbreak and how different people react to it.”

He says he had no idea that the song would resonate well with the people. He says for him it is just God’s grace that the song has become popular.

But what has been the artistic path for the 25-year-old to get where he is today?

The Phalombe-based artist says he started singing in 2010 when he released his first single titled Amapatsa with his brother. Because of financial challenges, the artist says he temporarily halted his music dream until 2014 when he released his second song Munaferanji.

Between then and 2017, Gibo Pearson appeared to have reached a consistent peak when he released songs such as Chempoteleya, Sitisiya kuotcha makala, Udzandifuna Mochedwa, Zidzafa mbeta and Mundigulire bokosi, among others.

“It was always my dream to become a musician. One day a chance availed itself for me to go and record a song at the studio and that was the  beginning of the dream,” he says.

For the first time in his career, Gibo Pearson has been signed up to perform at a mega festival. He is set to make an appearance at this year’s Hangout Festival at Kabumba Hotel in Salima.

The artist says: “In my career, I have performed at several shows, but this level is different. This is no mean feat for me. I dream of making it as far as I can and believe I am on that trajectory. The sky is not the limit for me.”

Commenting on Pearson’s new song, musician Driemo wrote on his Facebook page: “Just listened to the new song from Gibo Pearson Izathera ma penalty. Receive your flowers artist. Such a great piece.”

Another musician, rapper Same Cris describes the song as unique.

Various social media users have been sharing the song and its video while others have taken to TikTok posting videos imitating the musician.