Danish singer Mzungu Kichaa in Kenya to promote Fade Away album

Released in March, Fade Away mirrors Mzungu Kichaa’s dynamic and lively stage performances. The acoustic-heavy collection adds an authentic layer to the sound and offers a raw musical experience.

Love, loss, gratitude, spiritual progression and the complexities of navigating life’s challenges are among the album’s themes, creating a multifaceted storyline that invites listeners to reflect on their own experiences and aspirations.

The collection features easy-listening tracks such as ‘Fade Away’, ‘Fall in Love’ and ‘London Town’, to the politically-conscious ones like ‘Uhuru’ which touches on freedom of speech. The artist’s exploration of mental health and the interpretation of how we navigate life’s uncertainties adds a layer of introspection as seen in songs like ‘Sleepy’.

‘Fade Away’ champions the pursuit of dreams without compromising on freedom of expression. “It’s important to be real and vulnerable and this album allowed me to free my inhibitions and the fear of sharing a true voice,” Mzungu Kichaa said.  “I also released a few acoustic versions recorded late at night in one take using vocals and guitar with imperfections. It doesn’t always need to be polished and decorated and I hope my listeners will appreciate this rawer sound.”

The music video of ‘Fade Away’ features fellow Danish artist Wafande. It was shot in Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands, showcasing the power of collaboration.

Mzungu Kichaa was born in Denmark but found his musical footing in Tanzania where he grew up. His stage name carries socio-cultural significance. It was given to him by bongo flava legend Juma Nature as a symbol of cultural guardianship. His story of how he transcends linguistic, racial and cultural boundaries through his musical endeavours is both captivating and motivational.

His debut album Tuko Pamoja (2009), sung in Swahili, had a massive impact in Tanzania and Kenya, and won him the Best Upcoming Artist trophy at the Scandinavian African Achievement Awards. The first single off the album ‘Jitolee’ features Tanzanian rap legend Professor Jay.

He has collaborated with East African acts such as Sauti Sol, Juma Nature and FidQ, as well as Scandinavian artists like Wafande, Kaka and Karen Mukupa.

The Kenyan media tour comes four years after Mzee Kichaa’s last trip to the country. “During this period of unrest in Kenya, my message to the youth is to stay positive, loyal to their visions, and hold onto their freedom of speech,” he said. "The track ‘Uhuru’ off my album is about the importance of this right, and the most important line in the song is that without freedom, even the birds will not sing, and by that, I mean the whistleblowers and change-makers within society will not have a voice.”