| BSS has changed my music image: Malfred | Send to a friend |
| Sunday, 15 May 2011 07:52 |
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The Citizen Correspondent Dar es Salaam. Bongo Flava artiste Malfred has commended an annual music talent, Bongo Star Search saying it has immensely contributed to his career success. Malfred, whose real name is Michael Alfred Mwasote, took part in the 2008 Bongo Star Search and managed to end 6th overall out of ten finalists. “I am fully groomed to the international level as the search forced me to learn all world music genres despite various African beats and styles. I wouldn’t have reached this status if I had not participated in that talent search,” he notes. He says he didn’t know he was a natural singer and composer until when he forced his way into the contest which he says added various skills of music as both art and entertainment. Malfred was born 27 years ago in Dar es Salaam, he is a second born in the family of two. He attended primary school at Itezi, in Mbeya from 1991 to 1998 before joining vocational training college a year later. In 2002 he joined Arusha College of Art (Molac) for fine arts studies after completing his two-year stint at the vocational training college. He says after completing his studies he decided to involve himself in drawing while he was looking for a way to start a music career. “I didn’t know where and how to start, but I kept looking for someone who could help me become a musician,” he recalls. He said his friend advised him to come to Dar es Salaam where music industry is better organised than Arusha. “I was told while in Arusha that in Dar es Salaam there was a good market for singers. He said then he learnt of Bongo Star Search being advertised with talent shows starting at the regional level. “My friends assured me of one top positions, and I did my best. My friends were almost right as I managed to claim a top ten berth at national level,” he boasts. He said after the Bongo Star Search finals he started his music career strongly learning music as both art and business. “ I later came to realise that music despite being an art of sound, must also be treated as a business because it must appeal audience to gain market. I slowly started to learn how to market my talent by playing in various concerts nationwide,” he said. He said he learnt how to play hotel music and added certain elements of traditional music to give his music an international appeal. He said sometimes he plays with The M Band under Producer Duke. He has produced one album, which he says did well in the music market. His first album is titled Maisha Haya and was released in 2009. “I promise my fans something they have never heard before in my second album. I don’t have to tell much about it, but it will be something unique,” he said. Malfred plans to release his album in September during an official launch to be held in Dar es Salaam at a venue to be made public later. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites           |
