Musicians Union of Malawi (Mum) President Reverend Chimwemwe Mhango said on Monday that the nomination of Zomba Prison Music Project in the Grammy Awards is a wakeup call for other artists that they must dig deeper to earn recognition.
The country has for the first time in its history of music received a Grammy nomination and Malawians will be waiting eagerly next month and praying hard that Zomba Prison Music Project notches the award.
The nomination of Zomba Prison Music Project for their album I Have No Everything Here surprised many people in that they are not known in the country.
“It’s now time for artists to do more and make our music known out there. We must do music that appeal not only to Malawians but to the world. Music that is relevant and tells different stories,” said Mhango.
The Mum leader said the nomination of the Zomba Prison Music Project has indicated that there is talent in the country.
“We have talent in the country and despite the various challenges we have continued to do the best. Now we need to look at the ways of how to market our music more importantly online,” said Mhango.
He said many artists still have not embraced technology which is the way to go now.
“We must move with the times, as artists we need websites, Facebook, twitter, Instagram and Skype accounts among others. This is the only way people can be able to reach us. And again we need to have our music online. These days people are selling music online,” he said.
Mhango also said that there are other international firms they are in contact with who would like to promote some Malawian artists but are looking for those whose online presence is high.
He admitted that as a music body they were also still living in the past as at present they do not have a website.
“We do not have a website but this is one of our priorities this year. We need to put together a website to reach out to the world,” said Mhango.
The 2016 Grammy Awards ceremony will be held on February 15, 2016 at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles, California in USA.
Zomba Music Project has been nominated in the category of Best World Music Album and faces a challenge from other nominees Gilbertos Samba Ao Vivo, Angelique Kidjo, Ladysmith Black Mambazo With Ella Spira & The Inala Ensemble and Anoushka Shankar.
According to available information, the Zomba Prison Project is an innovative advocacy based music project involving prisoners at Zomba Prison.
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