![Q Malewezi]()
Spoken word artist and poet Qabaniso Malewezi says he chose Bingu International Conference Center (BICC) for his album launch because the venue scares him and it poses a challenge.
[caption id="attachment_58935" align="alignright" width="594"]
![Q Malewezi]()
Q Malewezi[/caption]
The poet made the remarks on a local TV interview ahead of his “People” poetry album launch on Saturday at BICC which is arguably the biggest showbiz arena in Lilongwe.
“Am always up for a challenge that’s why I chose BICC to launch my album. If it isn’t a challenge then why do it? Poetry being new in Malawi, it’s really a huge task to fill up the auditorium and am so excited about it,” he stated.
He further added that BICC is focal point where people of all walks of life convene.
“I am targeting everyone in this album hence the titled “People”. Am talking to the government, the private sector, the donor community and the general public,” Q narrated.
“People” album has all tracks done in English.
Quizzed on the language, Q responded, “Art has no language. One simply has to be honest and genuine in telling their stories. I comfortable performing in English and I always keep it simple because poetry is about communication. I also have a global audience that I need to communicate to.”
He added, “My poems are not complicated. I try to keep it simple. For instance, I have a 4 year old daughter who recites “people” poem.”
Coming from a musical background, Q has successfully established himself as a poet and spoken word artist.
“Many people know my father (former Malawi Veep Justin Malewezi) as a politician but to those that personally know him know that he was just serving in the public service. My father is a teacher and a good musician. He taught me how to play a guitar at the age of 9.
“I started poetry because I couldn’t rap. I was writing and producing for other people so I had to find a way to speak up,” disclosed the former Real Elements member adding, “It wasn’t easy to make it. People couldn’t take me seriously because they always knew me for my music; nonetheless I had to be bold because I knew what my heart wanted.”
Also performing at the launch is Robert Chiwamba, Menes La Plume, Vangile Gantsho, Phindu Zaiye Banda, Emmanuel Manto Banda and special guest veteran poet Benedicto Okomaatani Malunga.
The launch has been organised by Q’s own events management company, Qoncept Creative which also brought comedians such as Daliso Chaponda and Basketmouth and South Africa’s Lady Smith Black Mambazo.
“Mind you, the show is organized by Qoncept Creative so when we say the show is starting at 8pm, it is really starting at 8pm,” he joked.
The album was pre-released online on 19 March 2016 and it is available for purchase on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, Tidal, Groove Deezer, Apple Music, Spotify and Shazam.
Q Malewezi[/caption]
The poet made the remarks on a local TV interview ahead of his “People” poetry album launch on Saturday at BICC which is arguably the biggest showbiz arena in Lilongwe.
“Am always up for a challenge that’s why I chose BICC to launch my album. If it isn’t a challenge then why do it? Poetry being new in Malawi, it’s really a huge task to fill up the auditorium and am so excited about it,” he stated.
He further added that BICC is focal point where people of all walks of life convene.
“I am targeting everyone in this album hence the titled “People”. Am talking to the government, the private sector, the donor community and the general public,” Q narrated.
“People” album has all tracks done in English.
Quizzed on the language, Q responded, “Art has no language. One simply has to be honest and genuine in telling their stories. I comfortable performing in English and I always keep it simple because poetry is about communication. I also have a global audience that I need to communicate to.”
He added, “My poems are not complicated. I try to keep it simple. For instance, I have a 4 year old daughter who recites “people” poem.”
Coming from a musical background, Q has successfully established himself as a poet and spoken word artist.
“Many people know my father (former Malawi Veep Justin Malewezi) as a politician but to those that personally know him know that he was just serving in the public service. My father is a teacher and a good musician. He taught me how to play a guitar at the age of 9.
“I started poetry because I couldn’t rap. I was writing and producing for other people so I had to find a way to speak up,” disclosed the former Real Elements member adding, “It wasn’t easy to make it. People couldn’t take me seriously because they always knew me for my music; nonetheless I had to be bold because I knew what my heart wanted.”
Also performing at the launch is Robert Chiwamba, Menes La Plume, Vangile Gantsho, Phindu Zaiye Banda, Emmanuel Manto Banda and special guest veteran poet Benedicto Okomaatani Malunga.
The launch has been organised by Q’s own events management company, Qoncept Creative which also brought comedians such as Daliso Chaponda and Basketmouth and South Africa’s Lady Smith Black Mambazo.
“Mind you, the show is organized by Qoncept Creative so when we say the show is starting at 8pm, it is really starting at 8pm,” he joked.
The album was pre-released online on 19 March 2016 and it is available for purchase on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, Tidal, Groove Deezer, Apple Music, Spotify and Shazam.