Moses Sakala

Moses Sakala is one of the greatest recording and performing artists in Zambia.

He has composed, recorded, produced and performed generation-defining songs. Moses had hardly laid down his high school books when he rose to prominence as one half of Zambia's foremost musical duo, the Sakala Brothers. The Sakala Brothers went on to perform on the 5 most inhabited continents of our planet, at festivals in Brazil, China, Canada, India, the Netherlands, Poland, South Korea and Zimbabwe.

Born in the sprawling Matero township of Lusaka in 1970, Moses and his twin sister entered the world in a confident new nation with a leadership that placed high value on the celebration and preservation of cultural art forms. At primary school, he joined the school traditional dance club, and with his colleagues won the national dance championship. He developed his traditional music skills and is, today, the best known traditional Master Drummer in Zambia.

At secondary school, he formed a songwriting and performing partnership with his classmate Levey Sakala, naming themselves the Sakala Brothers. While their peers performed the music genres of Rhythm and Blues and Afro-American soul, the Sakala Brothers found meaning and unprecedented success in producing their modern take on the traditional music and dances of Zambia.

As their success grew, Moses began to give more to the cause of giving opportunity and guidance to upcoming artistes. His greatest protégé, Angela Nyirenda, went on to be the biggest female artiste in Zambia.

Apart from writing her songs, and producing her albums, Moses turned Angela's stage performances into the most sought after in the country.

In addition, he has contributed his songwriting talents to some of the most memorable theme songs, for organisations such as the Electoral Commission of Zambia. In 2003, Oxfam GB in partnership with the UK newspaper, the Guardian set out to produce the Big Noise album, and drafted in the Sakala Brothers on an album that included Grammy Award winning artistes such as Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Coldplay, REM, Radiohead and Chemical Brothers.

As a solo artist, Moses has released a double album titled 'Madaliso' and 'Mr. Moses Sakala'. The album rises, like all his previous recordings, from the soul of his ancestors, with social commentary, pulsating drum beats and provocative ballads.