UMP Malawi unveils festival, awards dates

The awards, which are now in their ninth edition, will be headlined by South African hip hop artist Emtee who will be joined by local artists Lulu, Piksy, Bucci, Theo Thomson, Hazel Mak and Malinga. The festival will feature Sonye, Martse, Macelba, Classmates, Tsar Leo, Charisma and Hilco.

“This year Ndefeyo Entertainment has partnered with Nzika Arts to produce the UMP, which for the first time will witness the separation of the awards and the festival,” the organisers said. “The UMP Awards and UMP Festival were unbundled following tremendous growth and support the two events have jointly achieved in the past two years.”

The organisers said the awards would reward artists in 18 categories and nominations were expected to open on 1 October.

UMP CEO Ken Limwame said: “We have given out various honours and awards, we have given the platform to many local acts, managed to bring international guest artists and mammoth crowds have witnessed that history.

“Our formula is based on weighting the popular vote and expert judges’ votes. Voting will be both by SMS and online. We are happy to have the opportunity to produce the leading urban music event in the country, and we dedicate our efforts and talents to make it the best one yet.”

Meanwhile, local jazz musician Erik Paliani will perform at the UMP Fashion Night and Media Awards at the Game underground parking lot in Blantyre on 15 October.

“Among other things, the media helps us tell our story; it amplifies our voice and supports us to be accountable to our mission,” Limwame said. “Our mission to promote and celebrate urban music, arts, fashion and culture as a force for self-empowerment, identity and expression has resonated well with our core audience – Malawi’s urban youth.”

The UMP began as a mini-concert in Blantyre in 2009 by employing a makeshift stage on the back of a truck. The event has grown to become one of the most influential entertainment events in the country. Founded by Khumbo Munthali and Ken Limwame of Ndefeyo Entertainment, the UMP has been held at various venues including the former French Cultural Centre, Chancellor College, and BAT Ground.