Danish singer-songwriter Mzungu Kichaa who found prominence in Tanzania, released his third studio ‘Fade Away’ this year (March 2024). Kichaa is in Nairobi to promote the new album that carries and ignites East Africa’s live music sound.
Mirroring his dynamic stage and acoustic performances, his new album embodies live instrumentation, adding an authentic layer to his music and love for a raw musical experience. The album focuses on having a deeper connection with nature and the importance of being present, content and free from materialistic baggage.
Inset: ‘Fade Away’ Cover
Mzungu Kichaa’s latest music video of ‘Fade Away‘ features fellow Danish artist Wafande. Shot in Sweden, Denmark, Bornholm and Holland, the video displays a heartfelt collaboration that brings home the song’s message of unconditional love of life.
Mzungu Kichaa’s ongoing Kenyan media tour to promote the new album comes four years after his last trip to Nairobi. He says, “During this period of unrest in Kenya, my message to the youth is to stay positive, loyal to their visions and keep hold of their freedom of speech. 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 the society will not have a voice.”
Love, loss, gratitude, spiritual progression and the complexities of navigating life’s challenges are among the album’s themes, creating a multifaceted storyline and inviting listeners to reflect on their own experiences and aspirations. Mzungu Kichaa delivers a powerful album with love songs such as ‘Fade Away’, ‘Fall in Love‘ and ‘London Town’, to the more political songs such as ‘Uhuru’ which touches on freedom of speech. The 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.’
With an infusion of adventure and confidence, ‘Fade Away’ champions the pursuit of dreams without compromising on freedom of expression. Mzungu Kichaa says, “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,” adding, “ 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 more raw sound.”
ABOUT MZUNGU KICHAA
Mzungu Kichaa is celebrated for his dynamic and lively stage performances. He was born in Denmark but spent most of his life in Africa, eventually finding his musical footing in Tanzania where he grew up. His challenging stage name carrying complex socio-cultural significance was given to him by Bongo Flava legend Juma Nature as a symbol of cultural guardianship. The story of how he transcends linguistic, racial and cultural boundaries through his musical endeavors is both captivating and motivational.
Kichaa’s debut album ‘Tuko Pamoja’ (2009), sung 100% in Swahili, had a massive impact in Tanzania and Kenya. His debut hit single off the album was ‘Jitolee’ featuring Professor Jay. The album won him an award for ‘Best Upcoming Artist’ at the Scandinavian African Achievement Awards. His career has so far garnered him a significant following across East Africa, Europe and the US. He has collaborated with African stars such as Sauti Sol, Juma Nature and FidQ, as well as Scandinavian artists including Wafande, Kaka and Karen Mukupa. He continues to hold extensive tours across sub-Saharan Africa and in Europe, where his fan base is steadily growing.
