Renowned poet Qabaniso Malewezi has announced that the launch of his album Son of a Preacher’s Son, will take place at Bingu International Convention Centre (Bicc) in Lilongwe on May 6.

In an interview, Malewezi said the launch was postponed on April 1 due to loss of lives after Cyclone Freddy and landslides affected some parts of the country.

Q: I want to explore various opportunities and possibilities

“As a country, we all paid attention to the disaster and did our best to help our friends who were and still are in great need. That was a more important thing to do at that time than the launch,” he said.

Malewezi said arrangements for the launch remain the same in terms of supporting acts.

He said: “This album is very special to me as it shows a new direction I have taken with my poetry. It is a convergence of both my passions of poetry from 2009. The job was how to package the poems for audio. It is also the result of a lot of collaborations and I am honoured to have worked with some of my favourite artists including Maggie Kadrum, Praise Umali, Paul Kachala, Phindu Banda and Seven O More.”

The album contains personal poems that jogs the poet’s memory of his late father Justin Chimera Malewezi, especially in the poem Father and Son.

The composition is a combination of musical and recital elements featuring Afro-soul artist Helen ‘Sindi’ Mkandawire, who offered the melodies that were synced with Malewezi’s stanzas beautifully. The two artists have serenaded the poem in a way that cultivates sombre reflections.

“I held your hand and I felt you slip away. I held it tighter, but still you didn’t stay. Was it your father calling you by name, to sit by his side and to seed and pray to the Father, the Son, Holy Spirit, Amen! The son and his father, with the son of the Father, I know you are in a better place…”goes the poem in part.

The poet-cum-musician said the album is an exploration.

“I want to explore the various opportunities and possibilities. I am putting together an ensemble to be performing with and I am hoping that it will take me to stages and platforms beyond poetry. I believe this work has a wider appeal beyond poetry lovers,” he said.

Sindi said she was thrilled when Malewezi approached her to feature on his album because of the status that the artist commands. She described Malewezi as a rare poet and a world star.

She said: “He has ever featured me during some events, but this one was an absolute awe. The poem itself was deep and I related so much since I have also lost my relations including my father.”

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