Jeddie I Tafari

Three Malawian reggae artists – Prince Martin, Rastafarian Jede I Tafari and Simple aka Salim – are heading to England this month to perform live in a concert with other African artists who have been invited by the organisers.

The show will take place in Nottingham at Umoja Klub International on October 23, 2010 and starts at 6pm till dawn.

This show has organised by Richard Chisala of Jah Kings Promotions and Big Myke of Munhu Mutapa Entity from Zimbabwe and is being promoted by Hannington Gondwe (Hannie G) of Classik Entertainment.

“The event will showcase talent from both Malawi and Zimbabwe with Rassie Ai headlining. There will also be surprise guests and giveaways on the night,” Hannie G told Nyasa Times.

The promoter said the show has a Black History theme and uniting African artists by encouraging them to work together as one, like what the late Bob Marley and Tracy Chapman did back in the day.

The three Malawian reggae artists are doing very well in their music career.

Prince Martin has been touted in the press to be a hot contestant for Malawi’s reggae king title.

A Chancellor College (Chanco) graduate has won hearts of many with his latest album —African Skies.

“Prince—‘the man’—has broken new ground with a smooth touch of reggae that puts him up the hierarchy,” music analyst Kondwani Kamiyala reported in The Nation newspaper.

“Drifting farther from the fallen reggae king and his cousins, African Skies swings between Bob Marley and Bunny Wailer—and the singer is an admitted fan of the former, not a copycat though.”

His 14-track album contains a mixture of love songs and Rastafarian anthems.

Rastafarian Jedde has also released his 14 track debut album – Defender of Faith – after close to a decade of producing singles and collaboration.

The dreadlocked musician rose to popularity in the music world with his tribute songs to fallen Malawian reggae artist Evison Matafale who died in the hands of the police on November 27 2001.

Anamangidwa, one of the tribute songs has also been included in the album. It was composed in collaboration with Ibo Cooper of Jamaica’s Third Word Band.

“This event is the first out of a many planned for the next 12 months that aim to raise the profile of Malawi and also give the Malawian artists an opportunity to produce new material in the UK,” said Hannie G.

The show has the blessing of Malawi’s Ministry of Tourism and is also being supported by well-known hotels like Kalikuti, the promoter informed. - NYASA TIMES