By Tendy Kay

Deejays are the most recognized personalities in the country yet not appreciated for their promotion of local musical talent. Afrocentric chilled with Deejay Lomwe; radio 101 fm deejay and hip hop artist to find out what it is like to be in his world.

How did your love affair with radio begin?

It all begun in 2005 when fm101 announced that they were holding auditions. I wasn’t really that serious about it I was actually planning to go to a real elements show that was on the same day. But it was a friend that insisted I should go with him and I ended up being one of six people out four hundred that got chosen. Everything I know about radio I have learned hands on.

Aside from being a radio personality and deejay you are also an artist. When did you make this transition?

You could say I was an artist before I was a Deejay but it wasn’t anything serious. I released two songs when I was around 17 and they were premiered on fm 101' weekend hip hop show which was then hosted by Deejay Gwynz.  A show which I now host, one of the songs was number two on hit or miss.

What is your weapon of choice Vinyl or CD?

I use CD because I don’t have enough experience on vinyl but if the equipment was readily available then I would be good on both.

Is it a challenge being both a deejay and an artist?    

It definitely is because you have to prove to people that you got what it takes as an artist and that you are not getting favors or airplay just because you’re a deejay as well.

As a deejay, do you think local artists appreciate the exposure you give them?

Appreciation from musicians is not required to me I play their music if it's good enough, it's the entertainment industry in Malawi that’s not given the appreciation it deserves and that’s why it doesn’t grow.

Let’s talk about Rebel Music Vol. 1 (Piece of my Mind). What was the motivation behind the name and the mix tape?

I did the mix tape because I feel like I have potential in music as well and I don’t want to let my potential go to waste. I want to utilize as much of my abilities as I can. The title Rebel Music is all about diversity and self expression "A Piece Of Ma Mind" is more or less a self introduction to the music scene and letting people know what’s on my mind.

Strictly business how is the money hustle in deejaying?

The money is pretty pathetic compared to other African countries, for example if I was South Africa I would be getting paid more than a company executive for what I do. I don’t see what Deejay Fresh does that I don’t and his salary is around R80, 000 a month, the entertainment industry in Malawi is just not valued enough.

Rebel Music Vol.1 is a diverse display of genres, who would you pin point as your key influence?

My biggest influences are 2pac, Biggie and Nas but am also influenced by deejaying so that’s why I do songs you can dance to too.

“Run This Town” feat the Dare Devils is the new new from you, what other collaborations can we look out for?

You can look out for collabos with N.A.P.H that’s a song by my homie that I featured on also AB of the Basement, NIC, Theo Thomson n more on my upcoming project “Rumors of War” “Rebel Musik Vol 2. Live from The City” which is two mix tapes on one CD.

The Malawi music industry although it has been around for a while is still young, what are you doing as a deejay and artist to raise the bar and take the industry to another level?

All I can do is set standards in the quality of my delivery and show the amount of potential that is there. The rest of the industry is supposed to recognize this and show support because you can’t do it by yourself unless you have tremendous resources.

What are your thoughts on deejay’s who get paid to play music on air?

I really find it disgusting, look at it like this, there are some musicians with no talent but just because they have money they can get their music on air end of the day low quality music is on radio in the long run it’s bringing down the whole industry. How would people from outside the country react upon listening to Malawian radio, they would probably say Malawi is so behind. At the same time there are people with talent but no money to pay a Deejay so they can’t have their music on-air and that’s a loss to the whole industry.  

You on Tay Grin this year, is the beef over with?

After my current project “Rumors of war the mix tape” am moving on, I feel I owe it to the people to explain why I did rumors of war as some people think am just a hater, everything is explained in the mix tape.

Everybody got a lot say about this beef, some say it’s a publicity stunt between you two, what’s your opinion on this?

To me it’s no publicity stunt I already have enough publicity because am on radio everyday talking to millions of Malawians. My music is based on real life, my life and my environment and whatever takes place in it I’ll put it in my music.

Are you Single?

Yes, all the girls think am a player because I am a Deejay so they don’t trust me.

“This is not a Movie” a real track off Vol.1 what was it like for you growing up?

I spent my childhood in two very contrasting environments, I spent part of my childhood in Malawi and the other part in the UK so I’ve lived the poor life and the good life but if I could go back I would not change much because  that’s what made me who I am Today.

Look out for Rebel Music Vol. 2 first single Blow The Whistle (Mpila Watcha), coming this February !

• Login or register to post comments
• Printer-friendly version
• Send to friend