From Malawi to the world, the gospel maestro blends timeless classics with fresh rhythms in his 15th album, “Mfumu ya Mafumu.”
By Burnett Munthali
Allan Ngumuya, one of Malawi’s most revered gospel artists, is set to release his 15th studio album, Mfumu ya Mafumu, celebrating over 40 years of uninterrupted musical ministry.
Despite misconceptions of a hiatus, Ngumuya has never paused his work in music, producing and releasing albums consistently since 2014.
Following his election in 2014, he released Oosankhidwa Ake in 2015, affirming his continued commitment to gospel music.
Between 2018 and 2019, Ngumuya presented The Best of Me, a two-album compilation showcasing some of his most beloved songs.
He followed this with two more albums, Nyimbo Zotonthoza and Nyimbo za Chilimbikitso, released in 2020 and 2021, before unveiling Adzakhala Adzakhala in 2022.
Ngumuya insists that this is not a “comeback,” but rather the continuation of a musical journey that began in 1985.
The perceived silence during his political career led some fans to mistakenly believe he had stepped away from music, but in reality, he has remained active behind the scenes.
Producing an album, Ngumuya explains, requires time, dedication, and creative effort, often taking two to three years to craft music of substance and maturity.
Mfumu ya Mafumu brings together older hits re-recorded with modern production techniques and new tracks, breathing new life into his expansive catalogue.
The album was predominantly produced in South Africa by Papy Kazati Nsenga, with four tracks recorded in Jamaica, highlighting Ngumuya’s international collaboration efforts.
Ngumuya has two albums ready for release, and his marketing team is considering whether to launch them separately or simultaneously.
His journey also includes 16 years in the United States, where he pursued higher education at Ivy Tech College, Davenport University, and Purdue University, culminating in a Master’s Degree in Communication in 2009.
Returning to Malawi in 2014, he successfully ran for Parliament and served until 2019, before moving back to the United States in 2022 as a permanent resident.
Ngumuya’s rise to prominence came between the mid-1980s and 1990s with gospel classics such as Yehovah, Kodi Yesu Asamala, Asamalira Mpheta, Tikakumana Patsidya, Yesu Akubwera, and Misonzi.
He emphasizes that he has never served as a pastor, instead using his music as a medium to reach individuals and families with messages of hope and faith.
A signature feature of his albums is the inclusion of a wedding song, a tradition that has resonated with generations of Malawian families.
Mfumu ya Mafumu also features collaborations with iconic artists including the late Soldier Lucius Banda, Chifundo Chiwaya, Nkosi, Gift Nkhwangwa, and Gift Bamusi, bridging different generations of gospel music.
The album conveys a central message about the Kingdom of God, offering hope in a world facing spiritual, social, emotional, economic, mental, and political turmoil.
Each of the 12 tracks showcases Ngumuya’s versatility, spanning genres from Allan Beats, reggae, country, mbaqanga, house, to a fusion influenced by amapiano.
Creating music across continents presents unique challenges, with recordings taking place in Malawi, South Africa, Jamaica, and the United States.
Ngumuya credits his discipline, dedication, and divine guidance for sustaining a four-decade-long career in gospel music.
The album will be available on over 50 digital platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok, and Facebook, ensuring global accessibility for his fanbase.
Plans are underway for live performances in Malawi next year, promising shows filled with the energy and inspiration his audiences have come to expect.
Ngumuya concludes with a message for his fans, urging them to embrace his music as a beacon of hope: “When we fall, we rise again — Tikankhebe, Tidziyendabe.”
