By Jimmy Chazama & Sam Banda Jnr: Blantyre and Lilongwe were chockfull with showbiz on Friday and Saturday as they delighted in the Kell Kay/Yo Maps Malawi tour whose music curtain was expected to close on Sunday in Mzuzu City. First to kick off the three gig tour was Scallas Café in Blantyre on Friday through to the wee hours of Saturday. The venue turned out to be small.
Led by Kell Kay, the concert featured top local and international artists that gave the audience, dominated by youths, a dosage of their sounds. The gigantic audience braved a cold night to sample music vibes that saw a number of acts performing live with a full band, shifting from the use of a DJ. Hosted by Times Group presenter Che Kalonda, local artists, who included Saint—who at one point collaborated with Teddy Makadi and Praise Umali—before Kell Kay sealed the local bill.
Clad in black attire, including gloves, Kell Kay served a number of songs including ‘Two Two’ and ‘Holy Water’, which he performed with Kineo and Aidfest before bouncing in with another collabo with Gwamba in the track ‘Mr Yesu’. “I am thankful for the support. I do not take it for granted,” Kell Kay said in between his set.
The Lilongwe-based award-winning artist left the stage to pave the way for Zambian artist Yo Maps, only for him to come back for the romantic hit ‘Bana Pwanya’, alongside another Zambian star Prince Luv. Yo Maps has, in recent times, built a strong bond with local artists, culminating in super collaborations. And, so, having collaborated with Kell Kay, he also did not skip the hit ‘So Mone’ on his itinerary, a love track he did with Tay Grin, who was not present.
South Africa’s Master KG, who has had stints in the country, was next and he invaded the stage with energy. Flanked by two of his dancers and using a DJ, Master KG dished out well-known songs such as ‘Skeleton Move’ and ‘Jerusalem’, which had people singing along. “Malawi, I love you,” the artist from the Rainbow Nation, who also showed his skills on the decks, said.
Some people started moving out of the venue around 4am when Master KG left the stage, leaving it to DJ Mighty Virus while others remained and partied until morning. Just like in the commercial city, an impressive audience also showed up at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe on Saturday night. In the capital city, apart from Kell Kay, Yo Maps and Prince Luv, the line-up included Skeffa Chimoto, Patience Namadingo, Driemo, Temwah, Lulu and Eli Njuchi.
The artists put up feisty acts that wowed revelers, with Temwah, who was recently in South Africa, the only female act. She offered songs such as ‘Mvetsera’ and ‘Ndili Kuti’. During his set, Yo Maps applauded Kell for putting up a fantastic show.
Kell Kay, who came in white attire, just like in Blantyre, thanked people for showing up for the gig. “This means more. I am grateful for your support,” he said.
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