Celtel stars launch albums
By KELVIN KACHINGWE
CELTEL Star Search winners, Theo, Kapuka and Viola, are set to have a tripple album launch with a plethora of local musicians at Woodlands Stadium on July 12.
The trio, in separate interviews with Times Entertainment in Lusaka ahead of the launch said they hope fans would appreciate the contents of their respective albums that were partly recorded locally and South Africa, and in the case of Theo, Brooklyn, New York.
Viola, who has titled her 12-track effort, Siningazibe had her recording at VS Studios, owned by MKV, Sling Beats, run by Chali ‘Bravo’ Mulalami, Timesline Entertainment and G-Note Studios in South Africa.
On the other hand, Theo did part of the work with local producers, Inferno and TK who runs Romaside and Brooklyn, New York where he worked with the likes of Mark Morris, Clifford Ley and Lucy Wood. Mark Morris is what you would call a modern dancer, choreographer and director whose work is acclaimed for its craftsmanship, ingenuity, humor and at times eclectic musical accompaniments. He is mostly popular among dance aficionados as well as mainstream audiences.
Anyhow, Theo is set to have been doing most of the recording at about 11:00 AM and has as such, decided to name the 11-track all-english album Brooklyn 11AM.
On his part, Kapuka recorded his album titled Fresh In The Game in Cape Town although he also did some work with local producers like TK, Inferno and Nino. And like Theo, his album is mostly in English, a departure from what seems to be the trend on the local front.
And if the local trend is anything to go by, then of the three singers searching for stardom, Viola is most likely to have a smooth introduction. This is so because, like it or not, local musicians singing mostly in English have not had it plain-sailing.
They have had to be a little extra-ordinary. Examples in that regard include Marsha Moyo and Crisis. Although they have gained their outmost respect on the local front, their most notable success has been on foreign soil. And interestingly, the only song in local tongues on Marsha’s debut album, Dark Child, Pamodzi, earned international recognition, even featuring on an Radio France International compilation that also included works by Oliver Mtukudzi.
This should possibly tell a message to those that think an international album should be sang in English. Or else how have those South Africans and Congolese made it?
That said, Viola has tracks like Siwelele meaning Progress in Khosa, Nalelolela, Mumutima, Welutanda, Ni Boza, Iwe Ine, Shi Bwalya and Mayo Wandi among others while Kapuka has songs like African Husslers, a tribute of some sort to those that contributed their bit to the well-being of Africa, Black Nikees, Call Me, featuring Pop idol winner Tasila Mwale, I Remember, based on a real life situation and featuring Grant and the title-track, Fresh in the Game, which is about him being new in the rap industry.
Other songs are Go To School, a dedication to young ones and all those feeling like learning more, Picture This, Pink Dress, Summer Time, featuring Lungelo, a new artiste from cape Town who has worked with the likes of Snoop Dogg and Turn It Louder, a party song.
As for Theo, the Brooklyn 11 AM has I can See, Aint Coming Back, Never Give Up, Racing Through My Mind, If This is Love and Yo Love mmong others. Theo wrote all the songs except for Racing through My Mind which he co-wrote with Grant.
