Skeffa Proves a point

Skeffa Chimoto's sixth album is a statement that compellingly speaks volumes of his benefaction that is all visibly evident and audibly perceptible in his career. 

It seems to suggest it is his career that chose him, unlike many who chose the musical path when everything else stands against their choice.

He concedes that 'Wekha', his maiden album was a flop. Not because it was never the best from where he gets his creative juices but because of other factors that were prevailing then.

We cannot say it is because he was new and therefore people did not give him the benefit of doubt. Many new entrants into the music industry have proven that they can hit big without such presumed familiarity.

This is well proven in his second album 'Nabola Moyo' which conquered the airwaves as well all the selling points until his third album 'Tisawanyoze' which experienced a lukewarm reception totally disapproved the familiarity theory.

The fame that ‘Nabola Moyo’ had spawned, provided the first album 'Wekha' some form of visibility and now the expectation was that the third one would ride on 'Nabola Moyo' reputation.

I remember to have picked Skeffa's brain about this. He said 'Tisawanyoze' was not a flop. What happens, he said is that when a musician records an album without any previous work, there is nowhere or nothing to compare it with; no one is expecting him and know what he can offer, so he records without any problems.

Now when you look at his fourth album ‘Ndife Amodzi’ and the fifth 'Chikondi' there is nothing that has come back to haunt him in terms of judging his efforts. 

All the albums have stood the test and excelled.

However with his coming on the scene with his latest album 'Masomphenya' I think Skeffa has proven another point that has miserably failed most established artists.

Over the period of time that Skeffa has popped the six albums since 2003 he has proven that he is not a one hit wonder.

I won't be mentioning names while trying to validate my point that he is not a once off artist.

We have artists in this country who might have four albums, each with 12 songs that sound the same in terms of the beat and vocal texture, tone, melody and harmony where you cannot 'listen' them apart.

This is a point of departure between real musicians and imitators. Over and over again, Skeffa has now proven to be very creative to be able to do different songs over and over again.

His stand for the same themes in his albums which could sometimes be a trick to fall into the trap of repetitions caused by the above is not the case. The latest album for example has Pakala-Pakala which is not only over 7-minutes long but also rings similar to 'Ndife amodzi' theme.

The other track 'Ndimakusowa' is a sequel of many tracks with love theme that have continuously come in his albums.

What is unique with Skeffa is that he has managed to package his music in such a way that it does not become monotonous. We have artists whose latest albums sound like their previous albums to an extent that it is only them who know that they are offering a new album.

The track Pakala-Pakala is also something that those participating in our politics, with the forthcoming elections in mind, should really not only listen but follow to the letter what is being preached. It is a track that does not only make Skeffa an accomplished musician but a true patriot of Malawi nation.

Some will say it's premature to judge Skeffa based on a few sample tracks that he has released but I will put my head on a chopping board by promising that this album is set to become another big hit from Skeffa Chimoto!