Gwamba
{{Short description|Malawian rapper}}
{{Notability|Biographies|date=August 2020}}
{{Undisclosed paid|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Gwamba
| image = Gwamba.jpg
| caption =
| birth_date =
| birth_place = Lilongwe, Malawi
| education = Malawi Adventist University
| occupation = {{Hlist | Rapper | philanthropist}}
| family =
| spouse =
}}
Duncan Zgambo, professionally known as Gwamba, is a Malawi-born rapper and philanthropist.{{Cite web|url=https://www.africa.com/rapper-and-song-writer-gwamba/|title=Rapper and Song-writer Gwamba|date=June 14, 2018}}
Early life
Gwamba is the youngest of four siblings. He grew up in area 18, Lilongwe, Malawi. In 2005 he and 3 friends formed a rap group called the Pittie Boys, before he started his solo career in 2009.
Music career
Gwamba's rap career was inspired by US rapper 50 Cent and local musician The Basement. He released a single with the Pittie Boiz called "Work That Thing", which got airplay on FM 101 radio's Gowelo Beatz in 2008. Gwamba started recording as a solo artist 2009 and has made singles such as "Mmesa", "Tikakumane Kumadzi", "Sindingasiye Bawa", "Carina ya Mdala". In 2013 Gwamba released 3 singles: "Ndi Ofewa" featuring EMM Q, "Bola Kusache" featuring Nesnes and "Ndiyima Pachulu" featuring Bucci. Ndiyima Pachulu's music video was released in February 2014.{{Cn|date=June 2025}}
Gwamba has worked with local hip-hop acts such as BarryOne, Young Kay, Phyzix and dancehall star Blak jak. As a gospel artist, Gwamba has released a number of singles such as "Better" and "Alleluyah" both featuring Emm Q and "Nzeru" featuring Maskal. In 2015, he won the award for Artist of The Year at the UMP Awards, he also won 3 awards at the 2017 UMP awards,{{Cite web|url=https://www.mbc.mw/index.php/news/entertainment/item/5411-gwamba-fredokiss-dominates-malawi-ump-awards-apse-mtima-is-song-of-the-year|title=Gwamba, Fredokiss dominates Malawi UMP awards: Apse Mtima is song of the year|website=www.mbc.mw}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nyasatimes.com/gwamba-delighted-3-gongs-malawi-urban-music-awards-pays-tribute-major-1/|title=Gwamba delighted with 3 gongs at Malawi Urban Music Awards, pays tribute to Major 1|date=November 20, 2017|website=Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi}} 1 award at the 2017 Nyasa music awards, and 1 award at the 2018 UMP Awards.{{Cite web|url=https://www.malawianic.com/m/Music/comments/89/top-10-popular-songs-by-gwamba/|title=Top 10 Popular Songs by Gwamba|website=Malawianic}}{{Cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/artist/6hROVnzmmEdJChCcpQRBQx|title=Gwamba|website=Spotify}}{{Cite web|url=https://mwnation.com/gwamba-swims-against-the-tide/|title=Gwamba swims against the tide – The Nation Online|first=Brian|last=Itai}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nyasatimes.com/gwamba-sets-aside-k1-million-airtel-and-tnm-airtime-to-offer-to-fans/|title=Gwamba sets aside K1 million Airtel and TNM airtime to offer to fans|date=July 20, 2018|website=Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi}}
Philanthropy
In 2019, Gwamba became the CEO for Shepherd Bushiri Foundation,{{Cite web|url=https://www.nyasatimes.com/bushiri-foundation-aids-mp-bandawes-stalled-humanitarian-projects/|title=Bushiri Foundation aids MP Bandawe’s stalled humanitarian projects|date=October 21, 2019|website=Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi}} a humanitarian organization founded by Dr Shepherd Bushiri. Gwamba also has his own charity programs, including the 2016 1 Million Kwacha Jesus is My Boss Football and Netball Trophy in area 18,{{Cite web|url=https://www.nyasatimes.com/gwamba-launch-area-18-netball-football-trophies-oct-1/|title=Gwamba to launch Area 18 netball, football trophies Oct 1|date=September 20, 2017|website=Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi}} 2017 2 Million Kwacha Football and Netball Trophy in area 18, 2017 1 Million Kwacha football and Netball trophy in Ntcheu, a donation of 500,000 Kwacha at Pashello charitable trust in Chikwawa in 2016, a donation of 2 million Kwacha to Pashello charitable trust in 2018, and a donation of 3 Million Kwacha of Pashello charitable trust in 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nyasatimes.com/gwamba-cheers-chikwawa-orphans-with-a-k3-million-cash-donation/|title=Gwamba cheers Chikwawa orphans with a K3 million cash donation|date=June 19, 2019|website=Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nyasatimes.com/gwamba-donates-k0-5mil-to-charitable-trust-in-chikwawa/|title=Gwamba donates K0.5mil to Charitable Trust in Chikwawa|date=February 16, 2016|website=Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.nyasatimes.com/gwamba-steals-show-at-star-studded-independence-day-ufulu-festival/ Gwamba steals show at star-studded Independence Day Ufulu Festival]
- [https://www.afriem.org/2015/02/gwamba-nesnes-chambiecco-speak-muma-awards-nominations/ Gwamba, Nesnes, Chambiecco speak on MUMA awards nominations]
- [https://www.malawi-music.com/R/271-ritaa/12858-mundikumbutse/19185-mundikumbutse-ft-gwamba Ritta featuring Gwamba "Mundikumbutse"]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gwamba}}
Category:21st-century Malawian male singers
Category:Malawian male pop singers
Category:Malawian hip-hop singers
Category:Malawian hip-hop musicians