Reggae musician and promoter Born Afrikan says The Flames Band, which he led on a tour of Jamaica, will not die.
The band returned from the tour of Jamaica on Saturday where it held one show.
Born Afrikan said despite the band being formed for the Jamaica tour, the musical group would remain intact and look forward to more performances in and outside the country.
Apart from Born Afrikan, other members that made up The Flames Band on the Jamaica trip included Kellie Devine Njuchi, Blasto, Anne Matumbi and Don Tarz.
The other members that made the trip are Madalitso Symon (guitarist), Junior Sanderson Mphapo (saxophonist), Amon Msiska (keyboardist), Blessings Mndala (keyboardist), Hope Kapolo (drummer), Stephen Liphesa (bassist) and backing vocalists Slyvia Chabwera, Ruth Chitembe and Madalo Nyirongo.
“The Flames Band did well in Jamaica and people appreciated all our performances,” Born Afrikan, who has brought into the country a number of Jamaican artists, said.
The artist then commended Minister of Labour Vitumbiko Mumba for powering the Jamaica trip, whose preparations led to the creation of The Flames Band.
“Members making up The Flames Band are also part of other bands and, so, they will have to serve their bands as well but we remain positive that this group will be intact,” he said.
Born Afrikan said the trip gave them a chance to showcase their talents and also sell Malawi to Jamaica.
“We showed that Malawi is also a reggae nation. Yes, reggae is huge in Jamaica but people appreciated our feats. Apart from the performances, we also networked and I am sure we will see more collaborations in future,” he said.
Blasto of the ‘Imva’ fame also said the band needed to be maintained “I have my band, Tuff Lions, but it can complement The Flames Band. The Flames Band proved its expertise in Jamaica by backing us up and this can also happen here. This band can even go all the way to perform with other artists, both local and international,” he said.
On lessons learned in Jamaica, the dancehall musician said the creative sector needed to be supported to the fullest as it is making huge contributions to the country, in terms of bringing in foreign currency.
“I had a chance to collaborate with three Jamaican artists and I will be having the three songs on the market soon,” Blasto said.
