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Zim musician urges Zambian artistes to foster African culture, identity

Zim musician urges Zambian artistes to foster African culture, identity
By Lovely Kayombo
Fri 16 Apr. 2010, 04:40 CAT

VISITING Zimbabwean artiste Willis Wataffi has advised his counterparts in Zambia to help instill the values and total unification of Africa. In an interview with the Weekend Post, Wataffi whose 14-track album preaches the preservation of African culture and identity, observed that there was a lot of development in the music industry on the continent.

“There is so much happening…for example the Zambian music industry is competitively growing with a number of young artistes coming up just like in Zimbabwe but what we have to consider is the quality of music and the message being put across,” Wataffi, staged named Afrika, said.

He plans to collaborate with Zambian artistes like Ephraim, Danny, JK, Joe Chibangu and K’Millian.

“I want to establish our markets and I hope Zambians will embrace us,” he added.

Wataffi said he worked work with the late Sam Mtukudzi, the son of legendary Zimbabwean musician Oliver, and featured together at the Zimbabwean film festivals.
Sam died in a tragic car accident last month.

“I did a lot of works with Sam and the last time we met we were talking about my album and thinking of doing remixes together…his death was really a shock and the people in Zimbabwe are still mourning him because he was a kind of artiste whose future you could see and one we thought would move in the father's foot steps,” said Wataffi.

Wataffi bemoaned the rising levels of piracy.

“It makes sense to buy an original CD because this empowers us as artistes. In Africa the poorest person is an artiste because someone else benefits,” he said.

Wataffi appealed to respective African governments to intensify the fight against piracy.

“If at least 50 people are convicted, then people will be deterred to pirate our music,” he said.

The afro-pop and jazz album comprises songs such as Nziramasanga, Kambole sung in Bemba, Woman of rock, Greedy sons of men and New Afirika.

Labels: MUSIC, WILLIS WATAFFI

posted by MrK @ 4:33 AM