ANYTHING WRONG with Crossova's TALAKWA CHANI?

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If one of Malawi’s urban gospel founding members releases a track then naturally my ears perk up. Raphael “Crossova” Nyirenda has produced artists from David to Double-Zee and is well-known for his mixing abilities – but this track lacked a lot of the quality and technical experience you would have come to expect from the rapper who has been around for a long time! But that would be an unfair assessment because this song was done TWO YEARS AGO! There are 2 reasons why I am reviewing it now because I only review music 6 months or younger: firstly, it may have been done 2 years ago but Crossova has only released it recently and its message is still relevant; secondly…keep reading and you will find out.

The production is typically Crossova which has become a mark of distinction in Malawian music circles. If the song was poor technically then that is to be expected because Crossova has grown in the past 2 years into a truly talented producer. I truly love this guy’s works and efforts for our country’s music and for God.

                The first thing you notice is… “Alvin and the Chipmunks” as Crossova decided to pitch his voice high, but this is not entirely a bad thing for two reasons:-

1.       I played the song in the car with my nephews (14, 13, and 10 year olds) and niece (8 years old) and they absolutely loved it from start to finish! It was on repeat, it was blue-toothed, and it was enjoyed. The truth is, all age groups need to be reached, and this song does well to catch the attention of a younger audience. The older audience will feel as though the Alvin thing took away from a strong message, but the kids will love it.

2.       If you listen beyond the Alvin voice there lies very strong content – and I understand why he chose to pitch his voice: he takes on the role of babies that have been thrown in dug-out toilets, disposed of in plastic bags, and others that have been aborted :'( The innocent babies are asking their mothers “talakwa chani” (what wrong have we done towards you?). It warmed my heart on an informational and emotional level, and with all the worlds disasters that are going on – one of them being child abandonment and abortion – it will either break your heart or harden it. This was a personal song and telling my kids about the meaning behind it, I could see their eyes process a truth that is rarely spoken about in such a way. It was a musical miss but it was an eye-opening experience and for that I take my hat off to Crossova – a man who is a voice to countless voiceless victims!

The SECOND reason why I am reviewing it is because many Malawian artists do have music that is already made but they are sitting on it!!! Release it! You may be sitting on a gold mine of revelation! Who knows, maybe your song has the power to communicate a powerful message, or has the ability to make four kids and their uncle realize the importance of life. DO NOT SIT ON YOUR TALENTS – SHARE THEM!

@rowmasi

#sharpiron (you can comment or object on this review at this hashtag, spark up a convo)