Artist Nyokase Madise chose the National Library Service in Blantyre to organise a listening session for her upcoming album Katundu.
The place, which is usually associated with studies, buzzed with life on Sunday, when the event took place. The Zathu Band former member decided to do things differently by holding a listening session in a library.
The background for the stage looked bright, with bookshelves reminding people that they were in a home of books and a serious arena for those who have a craving for knowledge.
Performing in front of fellow artists, friends and parents, Nyokase shared the story behind Katundu and the songs therein.
The songs include ‘Bilimankhwe’ and ‘Napolo’.
Hosted by Super DT, Nyokase performed some of the songs in the album live.
The listening session turned out to be an announcement to the world that Nyokase is here; she is out of the cocoon and joins colleagues she used to star with in Zathu Band.
Most of the colleagues have gone solo and made strides.
These include Paul Kachala, Joe Kellz, Praise Umali, Esther Lewis and Theresa Phondo.
The album, which has seen her working with other artists, will hit the market in January next year.
“Katundu literally means baggage. In Chichewa, there is a saying that goes katundu wamumtima tula. In this album, ndikutula katundu wa mumtima using Malawi stories, folktales, culture and all of that,” she said.
Towards the end of the listening session, Nyokase took time out to thank her parents for supporting her doings before she engaged the audience to sing a happy birthday song for her father Sunduzwayo Madise, who is University of Malawi’s Vice Chancellor.
Madise could not hide his excitement with his daughter’s musical walks.
“I did not know she was this good. I have listened to some of her songs, ‘Napolo,’ ‘Bilimankhwe’ and, as a father, I cannot be more proud,” he said.
Nyokase, who is also an actor, is also set to hold listening sessions in Lilongwe and Zomba before holding an official live concert dubbed Nyokase Experience in March next year.
