I am ready for Malawi—King Sounds
Legendary Jamaican musician, King Sounds, has said he is excited to perform in Malawi for the first time and that he is ready to offer the best.
King Sounds, born Roy Livingstone Plummer, in Saint Elizabeth Parish Jamaica, is expected to perform at the Sand Music Festival to be held at Kabumba Hotel in Salima from November 1 -3.
Speaking from South Africa where he is undergoing rehearsals with All Nations Band and The Reggae Sisters, King Sounds, said music is something he has loved since childhood and that he always gives out his best.
“I respect my audience always and so I am ready and more than ready. I am feeling relaxed and comfortable,” he said.
The Jamaican artist arrived in South Africa over the weekend and is expected in the country on Thursday ahead of the festival.
“I have never been to Malawi but it is not new to me. I have been to Zimbabwe and met some Malawians,” the musician said.
Despite being popular in the past, King Sounds, said apart from dishing out old songs, he will also treat people to new songs.
“I am still strong. Just come to the festival and you will see what I am capable of doing. I am here for work and to entertain people,” he said.
King Sounds is expected to share the stage with local acts and also other international acts such as V Mapeenzy from Botswana.
Several other artists from Jamaica have performed at the Sand Music Festival and they include Busy Signal and Kenyatta Hill.
“Reggae music is here to stay, it is the heart beat of Africa,” he said.
He said music does not change and that he loves to hear good melodies hence apart from sharing his music, he is also looking forward to enjoying vibes from Malawian artists.
“For now I cannot talk about collaboration because I have not reached that stage yet but it is something I can always work on,” King Sounds said.
He said he was thankful to God for blessing him with the talent.
“I owe my music rise to the Almighty God. The support I have got from people has been great and then I have my beautiful wife, who has always been by my side,” King Sounds said.
The Jamaican artist emigrated to the United Kingdom in 1964, having already made some recordings in Jamaica.
Known simply as Sounds, he acted as an MC for reggae for reggae shows, and impressed Alton Ellis so much that Ellis gave him the name King Sounds. His debut single was ‘Rock and Roll Lullaby’, released in 1975.
Meanwhile Impakt Events Director, Lucius Banda, said on Sunday, they were ready for the ninth edition of the festival which is taking place at Kabumba Hotel for the first time.
“People should expect more fun, since we started announcing headliners, nothing has changed. King Sounds is already in South Africa rehearsing with All Nations Band and it has been a tradition with all the Jamaican acts working with the band from South Africa,” Lucius said.
He said they were happy to have a legend like King Sounds and next year they are targeting bringing Burning Spear.
“We have worked very hard, it is a festival for Malawians and run by Malawians and we have a musical buffet where people will choose their choice because we have all the genres,” Lucius said.
