By Sam Banda Jnr & Deborah Madeya:
It has been said many times that Blantyre is always mean when it comes to patronising concerts but the tale was different on Saturday when music lovers turned out in massive numbers at Comesa Hall during the launch of Driemo’s debut album titled Mzaliwa.
The award-winning musician, who has won souls with his romantic songs, filled Comesa Hall to its capacity, making a statement that he can now be counted among music titans in the country.
The launch, which was also patronised by several other creatives, who came in union to support him, including Gwamba and Phyzix, spilled over to the wee hours of Sunday with Skeffa Chimoto and Real Sounds Band closing the curtain.
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Skeffa even had time to show his charm on the keyboards as, with his Real Sounds Band backed up Black Missionaries’ keyboardist Chizondi Fumulani, who offered one song.
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It was a night when women bettered men in singing Driemo’s songs, starting from 11pm when the youthful artist took to the stage and this night will surely remain memorable to the musician, who was the headliner, with all other acts curtainraising for him.
His entry after being introduced by host Nicole Kamwendo, who managed the concert alongside Blak Jak, was epic although he delayed to invade the stage.
Backed by a band that included renowned names such as Elivacy Myaba and keyboardist Jew Kapengule, Driemo’s first song featured acappella group My Soul Vocals and models clad in white attire, who carried lamps.
It turned out to be a perfect opening track titled ‘Make A Way’ off the new album where Driemo speaks volumes of the greatness of God.
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Spotting a new hairstyle of artificial dreadlocks and white attire, Driemo, real name Shafie Phiri, attracted a chorus of cheers from the audience with some scrambling to take pictures and videos of him with their phones.
“I am short of words. Without you, there is no Driemo,” the artist, who promised more vibes and performances, said.
He then went on to dish out three old songs before taking a break to pave way for what can still be described as an auction for the 22-track album where a number of people came to the stage and paid hefty sums to buy it.
Some of the people who purchased the album included Richard Chirwa of Fadeth Furnitures, who pledged a sofa set worth K1.5 million or K500,000 cash, with the audience vouching for the sofa set, Club 24/7 owner MacDonald Soko, who offered K100,000 and Mr Entertainer Jai Banda and team.
He returned for the second time in different attire and dropped a number of songs including ‘Popo’, ‘Mojo’ and ‘You’ which he performed with Zimbabwe’s Nutty O.
Other acts that lit the show, which also had DJs Wayne and Mo on set, included amapiano star Zeze Kingston, Kell Kay, Eli Njuchi, Saint and Piksy.
