The music of Malawi has historically been influenced by its triple cultural heritage of British, African, and American music. Malawians, known for their history as travellers and migrant workers, have contributed to the spread of their music across the African continent, blending it with various musical forms. A significant factor in this musical amalgamation was World War II, during which soldiers transported music to distant lands and brought it back, leading to the popularity of guitar and banjo duos as dance bands by the war's end. Both instruments were imported. Additionally, Malawians working in mines in South Africa and Mozambique influenced the fusion of music styles, giving rise to genres such as Kwela.
Blantyre is a district in the Southern Region of Malawi. The capital is Blantyre, a commercial city where most Malawian industrial and business offices are. The district covers an area of 2,012 km² and has a population of 809,397. It was named after Blantyre, the birth village of David Livingstone in Scotland, one of the first missionary explorers who came to Nyasaland, as Malawi was called before independence in 1964. It is also a main trading point besides the other large cities in Malawi. The other large cities are Lilongwe, which is located in the central region, and Mzuzu, which is in the northern part of Malawi.
Wambali Mkandawire, popularly known as Mtebeti Wambali Mkandawire was a Malawian jazz singer and activist.
Theo Thomson is a Malawian born singer, songwriter. Thomson is owner of the Blantyre-based Matalala Recording Studio. He lived in the UK, where he gained an interest in music with rapid artists productions performing and moved back to Malawi to expand his music career. His father is a former DJ and owner of Fm 101 Power radio Oscar Thomson. He is also the grandson of former Malawian Minister of Trade and Industry, Harry Thomson.
Home Grown African is a Malawian hip hop duo based in Blantyre, Malawi. The group consists of artists Classick and Hayze Engolah. Known for songs including "T.I.A." and "Radio" they are one of Malawi's best-regarded rap acts.
Vanessa Nsona is a Malawian fashion designer and entrepreneur best known as the creator of Fashion brand, Dorovee which is Malawi's first eco-friendly fashion accessory company. She designs hand made accessories including bags, shoes, bowties necklaces and other jewelry using Malawian fabric and materials. She launched the brand in 2012 in Malawi. Her designs have appeared in Malawi fashion shows, including Malawi Fashion Week 2014 and at the Malawi at 50 celebrations in Washington DC. An established designers in Malawi, she mentors and trains fashion designers both in and out of the country. She has co-hosted workshops in Malawi. In Zimbabwe, she held a workshop on 'Building a Sustainable Fashion Brand' together with Zedlabel at the US embassy. She is a member of Soroptmist International of Blantyre (SIB) which helps disadvantaged women and children. She also launched Project Luso, which creates and promotes Malawian fashion designs to help disadvantaged women and mentors talent in the fashion industry together with non-profit Samaritan Trust.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Malawi refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in Malawi. The first convert baptisms were performed in 1992. In 2022, there were 3,872 members in 12 congregations. Malawi was one of the fastest growing countries for LDS Church membership over the past decade.
Hip-hop culture in Malawi is relatively young. The genre is a marriage between local and western sounds. Prior to 1994, Malawi was living under a single party regime where censorship of media was heavily employed. Upon gaining freedom in 1994 the country began getting exposed to more western media and hip-hop which was gaining a global audience permeated its way into Malawian society.
Patience Namadingo is a Malawian gospel singer and songwriter. In 2010, he released his second studio album titled Tili ndi Yesu that included the hit “Mtendere”, which became the number one selling gospel album between 2010 and 2012 in Malawi.
Hilda Ulola professionally known as Hilco, is a Malawian Afro-Pop singer, songwriter and philanthropist. In 2017, she was nominated in the category "Best Afro Pop Artist of the Year" and "Best Female Artist of the Year" in 2018 in the Nyasa Music Awards. In 2019, she was nominated as "Best Female Artist of the Year" in the UMP Awards.
Mizaya Princess Chitsulo, best known as Princess Chitsulo, is a Malawian gospel singer, activist and businesswoman. In 2001, she was honored an award for Best Female Vocalist in the Malawi Gin Competition. In 2014, she also got awarded as best female artist and her song titled Ndidzayimba Nyimbo was voted as the best song of the year.
Grace Chinga Moffat or simply Grace Chinga, was a Malawian gospel singer, songwriter and vocalist. She released her debut studio album titled Uleke (Stop) in 2004 that had a hit song titled Thandizo Langa which made her gain national recognition. In 2009, Chinga released her third studio album titled Udzayimba Nyimbo before releasing the fourth studio album titled Esther in 2016.
Nyasa Music Awards are Malawian music awards that were established in early 2017 to celebrate entertainers and other minorities in music, fashion and philanthropy. The annual presentation event that takes place in major cities of the country features performances by artists and they are one of the major Malawi's music industry awards. The event recognizes Malawian music from all genres, including traditional, soul, and gospel. The awards also promote culture, with the 2017 event host of an African Print party that encourages people to showcase their traditional outfits. The awards include media sister awards and its categories are split into male and female.
Angel Mbekeani, best known as Sangie, is a Malawian reggae artist and songwriter. In 2015, she won as the best female artist of the year in UMP Awards. In 2016 and 2019, she was nominated in the same awards in Best Female Artist of the Year. In 2017, she won in the same awards in Best Female Act.
Faith Ambudye Che Muphuwa Mussa is a Malawian Afro-soul singer, guitarist and songwriter. He won his first award in August 2004 in Chirunga Awards as the best male singer. In 2018, he won two UMP Awards in Best Live Act as well as Best Afro-soul Artist/Group. In 2016, was nominated for the same category and award. In 2013, he won a National award for his best single titled "Desperate". In 2017, his song titled "Mdidi" won the Best Single in Nyasa Music Awards. In 2018, he won another award again in Best Live Act.
Maso Awards are Malawian music award show that was established in early 2019 to celebrate entertainers and other minorities in music, film, philanthropy and fashion. Maso awards are a brainchild of MASO Enterprise which is a company founded by Augustine Mukisi, Beaton Ndawa, Fedson Mwadala and Mphatso Tembo and handles event management and branding,graphics and social media management, web design... The event takes place in Malawian major cities and it is featured by performances from artists. They are one of the major Malawi's local music industry awards. The awards recognizes Malawian music from all genres, including gospel. The awards also promote culture and encourages people to showcase their talents. The awards categories are split into male and female.
Lloyd Phiri is a Malawian gospel musician and praise and worship leader. He released his debut album "Sachedwa Safulumira" in 2013, containing 10 tracks which received positive reviews and established him as a rising star in the Malawian gospel music scene. He has since released several successful albums and singles, including "Mundikondane", "Mwalaika", and "Ndilibe ".
Ethel Timba Kambenje, popuraly known as Ethel Kamwendo Banda, is a Malawian gospel musician from Blantyre. She has released several albums and DVDs. She has won Best Female Gospel Artist and Best Gospel Album, as well as Best Video.
Geoffrey Zigoma was a Malawian gospel musician and songwriter. He was the first to break local music sales’ record by selling over 100,000 copies in Malawi, but was later surpassed by Mlaka Maliro’s Dzanja Lalemba which sold over 131,000 copies in four months. He was also an outspoken advocate for albinos in Malawi and faced discrimination. His last album, Ndathera mwa Yesu, features songs that talk about his battle against skin cancer.
Mlaka Maliro is a Malawian gospel singer, songwriter, and evangelist. He rose to fame in the late 1990s with his debut album "Dzanja Lalemba" which sold over 131,000 copies in four months. He has released several successful albums, including "Maloto", "Usalire", and "Gologolo". His music career spans over two decades, with a transition from secular to gospel music in 2011.
