Is Malawi Hip Hop dead?

By Madalitso Mtukula

Malawi hip hop has gone through many changes over the years, but it's now facing a big problem. Many people are asking, "Is Malawi hip hop dead"?

In the late 1990s, hip hop started to become popular in Malawi, with a few rap songs making it into the public eye. Artists like Wisdom Chitedze released the first Malawian rap music video, "Tipewe".

In the 2000s, Malawian hip hop was on the rise, with artists like Tay Grin, Daredevils, Biriwiri, Phyzix releasing hit songs and albums.

But in recent years, the scene has struggled to keep going. One of the main reasons is that there's not enough investment in the industry.

Artists don't have enough resources or funding to make high-quality music and promote their work. It's also hard for them to reach a wider audience because there's no good music distribution network.

Many Malawian hip hop artists are copying international styles instead of creating their own unique sound that showcases their culture. This has led to a boring and unoriginal music scene that fans don't enjoy.

The rise of other genres like Afro Pop and dancehall has also taken attention away from hip hop. Some artists who were once seen as the future of Malawian hip hop have switched to more popular genres, leaving a gap in the hip hop scene.

But there's still hope for Malawian hip hop. Artists like C- Scripture, Crispy Malawi, and Krazie G, Toastt and others are trying new things and experimenting with new sounds and styles. With investment, innovation, and commitment, Malawian hip hop can rise again and reclaim its place in the music scene.