BIOGRAPHY OF LUCIUS BANDA

Lucius Banda is a well- known Malawian music icon. As of now we have no doubt but to call him a musical legend. He was born in Sosola village, group village headman Kapalamula in traditional authority Nsamala, Balaka district on 17^th August,1970. He began his musical career in primary school known as Mponda full primary school located in Balaka near catholic parish at the age of thirteen with his brother Paul Banda who is also a leader of the Alleluya band. In 1985, Lucius Banda happened to be the first one to appear on a live stage performance with his brother’s Alleluya band. However, Lucius Banda wanted to further his musical career and decided to attend music school in south Africa. To manage fulfilling his dreams, Lucius Banda joined Dorley house in Johannesburg in 1993. There, he studied for one year. After recording take over, Lucius Banda started his own band called Zembani in 1997. By establishing Zembani Band, Lucius Banda wanted to support local musicians and keep them float. Since this period, Zembani band and its music has promoted many Malawian musical artists. The Zembani is one of Africa’s most music recognizable groups. It is even understood that Lucius Banda has been the host to begin careers of; Mlaka Maliro, Paul Chaphuka and Anthony Makondetsa in their early stages as musical artists. He has released many singles and twenty albums in his musical career and the Albume “Love and Hate” recognizable as the last of his. Some of Lucius Banda popular single include; Tina, wanga khaliwe, sagona, paulendo, dziko lapansi, zakukhosi, mayi Zembani, ndakozeka, adzalira, ndalira, bisa, chako, wabodza, chiyanjano, kuyenda ngati nkhunda, mukuwatule, chamwini. Albums which include fifteen (2012), Town Babylon (2012), Time over (2012), unity (2013), Son of the power (2012), Love and Fate (2012), Not easy road (2012), crimes (2018), cease fire (2012), Life (2012), enemy (2013), how long (2012), thank you (2015), Mzimu wa soldier (2002) and Money and the Poor (2012). He sings reggae, Africas popular music and his record label is Zembani music company. He is known for being the voice of the poor and unheard. In terms of social, economic and cultural issues, Lucius Banda has been a vocal opponent of social injustices and inequalities that are prevalent among African leaders, Malawian leaders and politicians in general. Apart from his musical career, Lucius Banda has been an MP representing Balaka north until August 2006. Despite several controversies in his musical career as it interfered with politics, in June 2010, Lucius Banda and other Malawian musicians were invited to perform in Germany. This marked another milestone to the things Lucius Banda has achieved as a music artist. Their venue in Cologne was key point for an upcoming 2011 Lucius Banda’s European tour. Lucius Banda married Sunganani as his wife and has a well-known son by the name Johnny Zembani. He is recognized as one of music legend in Malawi and source of inspiration to people who wants to pursue music.