Kelvin “KBG” Gumbi is an innovative, diverse, passionate and talented young man and there is very little that he cannot do. Working with him, i have noted that he loves challenges and being able to do the impossible. He comes from an IT background, but he is also identified as an influential advocate; a radio and TV personality; a producer and musician.
Morena Leraba is a Mosotho musician and shepherd from of Ha-Mojela in Mafeteng district, located south of Lesotho’s capital Maseru. Lebara’s music (especially lyrics) is deeply rooted in Lesotho’s traditional music, poetry, and it’s sub-genre, Famo, which was introduced as early as the 1920s when Basotho men were migrant workers in South African mines. However, the approach in the beat is significantly different as it hurls almost everything from Electro, Electronica, Afro-House, Folk, and Hip-Hop.
Lilongwe, Malawi
Faith Mussa comes from a family of musicians. He has been inspired by many artists throughout his life from the time he was very young. Paul Banda, Peter Mawanga, Wambali Mkandawire, are some of the inspirations he has had.
Faith started playing hand-made gallon guitars when he was 10years old in the dusty township of Ndirande in Blantyre.
Faith Mussa is an afro Soul singer, songwriter and guitarist. He is currently Malawi’s first and only “electronic 1 man band” combining traditional African vibes with Modern Sounds. He has performed at some of the world most respected festivals including Glastonbury 2017 under Beating heart, Lake of stars, Arts festival of Northern Norway 2015, World fest California 2016, Tumaini festival and many others.
The artist has worked with UNICEF, PLAN International, UNFPA, UNITED PURPOSE (formerly concern Universal) and is currently an ambassador for OXFAM and music writer for GIRL effect Malawi.
His 2nd album is set to be released early this year and will contain music recorded from all over the world with some of the best talent he has interacted with along the way.
Leshie Lovesong is a Singing Performance Poet, based in Botswana. In 2006, she became Exodus Live Poetry’s Slam Champion, and became a member of the collective itself in 2007. As of November 2007, the young poetess has displayed her craft at every Infinite Word Festival in Gaborone. As an advocate for Environmental Sustainability, the poet has work shopped drama scripts which included her poetry in Angola, Luanda, and Namibia, Rundu, the focus being on the Okavango River.
The Sotho Sounds are a dynamic traditional group from the small mountain village of Malealea, Lesotho. Fiery, positive energy grooves and shoulders flying during fantastic gumboot dancing are just a few things to look forward to during this Basotho crew’s unforgettable act. Using entirely upcycled instruments made from tin cans, old wire, and inner tubes, this dancing band has an inspiring story and a truly larger-than-life sound. Look for them in our Erosion production from Lesotho, “Ngope la Musi.”
Livingstone, Zambia
Joka is a compassionate and generous soul, and a proud resident of Livingstone’s ghettos. He built his own studio by hand over the course of three years, which he allowed us to use. He sat in with us and dropped a few lines in his distinctive gravelly voice, and told us stories of his troubled past and the hope he found in helping other people beat addiction and avoid hard drugs. A truly inspirational character.
He goes by the stage name Shaps The ISI drawn from proverbs 27:17 which simply denotes man sharpening another as iron does. Shaps believes music is a tool that helps people to praise and worship God. His genre of gospel music in that regard is a mixture of Afro pop, RnB and soul.
“Music. It is the voice for my thoughts, experiences and faith in God. It speaks of my life. Not only through the lyrics I write or the melodies I sing, but also through the instruments that play. It is the most natural way for me to share who I am.”
“Natural” most definitely describes the musical talent of James Sakala. His melodic vocals and clean harmonies seem to flow so easily with the dynamic percussion and guitar sounds in his songs. One can only wonder where such a talent came from.
As a young boy in Mkushi, he grew up expressing himself through music and drama. “At a very young age, I started feeling music in me, and I became more convinced of my passion for it when I learnt to sing “Namusonda” by P.K. Chishala.” Soon after, he set out to hone his craft.
Over the years, James Sakala has nurtured his skills by working as a producer, session guitarist, and singer/songwriter at local recording studios in and around Lusaka. Now, he is focusing on recording his debut Afro-Jazz/Kalindula album.
Bringing a refreshing sound to Afro-Jazz by fusing it with the liveliness of Kalindula, James Sakala hopes to touch millions through his faith-driven music and “preserve a sound that has died here [in Zambia].”
Sangie started making music at a young age and is a qualified vocal trainer. Born Angel Mbekeani, Sangie has grown up in Blantyre (Ndirande) and made her first single, “I Do It All For Love” when she attempted the Don Foxxy Riddim. The Riddim was initially produced in 2012 by Don Foxxy at Step Up Records and had featured other artists such as Nepman, Desert Eagle, Vigil, Saint and Nepman. “I Do It All For Love” which was released as a video, topped Makwerero 10 on MBC TV for a month and has enjoyed airplay on various TV stations.