By Our Correspondent
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| Cumulus: Raising his dancehall voice high |
Dancehall music lovers have all the reason to look out for Mzuzu based 24 year old artist trading as Cumulus, real name Elijah Kachali, who looks set to leave an impression on Malawi’s music scene with his newly released dancehall album titled Rising.
Cumulus’ 12 track album has already hit the market with some of the tracks enjoying airplay on local radio stations.
A video from the album titled Mama is also being played on Malawi’s leading television station, the Malawi Broadcasting Station (MBC) TV.
Cumulus, a holder of a Bachelor of Arts (Education) degree from University of Livingstonia said in an interview the album is an expression of his personal experiences.
“I sing what I go through every day, because that way people who are in similar situations draw lessons from there,” he said. “Music is therapy, it helps me to get rid of frustrations.”
Rising has songs touching on a number of themes such as a mother’s love, hypocrisy in Christians and love.
“I don’t categorise my music as secular or gospel, I call it positive music,” said the musician who is signed to Green Jams record company based in the city. “Both gospel and secular touches are found in my music.”
Notable compositions on the album’s menu are Song for Mama, Christian girl, Mahopu, Khululuka, My story and Umatinamiza.
Cumulus expressed optimism that his music will be welcomed warmly, but was quick to complain that local radios stations are suffocating upcoming artists by denying their music enough airplay, promoting foreign music instead.
“This time around, there is no excuse for not promoting local talent. There is a lot of good music being produced by Malawians, with the opening up of many recording studios,” he said.
In addition, he noted, established artists demotivate upcoming artists by among other things, paying them “peanuts” for joint live performances.
The youngster has so far shared the stage with popular urban artist Piksy, among others.
Chimango Chipeta, a local radio station journalist described Cumulus’s album as mature, saying the young man had set himself in motion to great heights.
The album has been recorded in Mzuzu city at Zephyoldies,Super Sounds and Lin studios.
