Malawian rapper to launch poetry album

Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) will on 13th May this year experience a poetic breeze as an up and coming poet-cum-rapper will be launching his poems which are in an album titled “Rhymes of an African Son.”  

Emmanuel Manto Banda is the brains behind the project. He was born in 1988 and he is an alumni of Bwaila Secondary School and Domasi College of Education.

No word is strong enough to give a satisfying description of the rich talent in the 28 year-old.

Banda uses art as a tool for change in the society. In line with this objective, “Rhymes of an African son” comprises poems about pan-Africanism.

The album covers eight poems of which four are in English language while the remaining four are in Chichewa.

“Rhymes of an African son speaks of pan-Africanism, love in its simple state, oppression, child abuse, and our day to day struggle. Am therefore launching the album on 13th of May at LUANAR,” said Banda in an exclusive interview with Malawi24 yesterday.

The artist also told this publication that the album has already been released and all that remains is the launch hence scheduling it to 13th May.

The Agricultural institution should therefore brace itself to witness the unleashing of mouth-watering recitals from the true son of Malawi.

The man of art has also revealed a long list of his idols in poetry which includes Jamaican legend Mutabaruka, and the Malawian duo of Okomaatani Malunga and Qabaniso Malewezi. He admitted that his poetry success has its backbone from Malewezi who has supported him a lot to reach this far.

In rap, Banda finds inspiration in American rappers, Nas, and the late 2Pac. It is his wish to overcome border barriers through his art and among his main objectives is promotion of rap and poetry in local schools.

“I have dreams to create poetry and music clubs in most schools and I want to go international.”

His poetic journey has been rough as he had to endure drawbacks. Art almost cost him accommodation in his family’s home but his passion for poetry proved to be too strong for challenges of any intensity.