SHALU CHISENGA
Press Release 06/2024
The Many Voices of Shalu Chisenga: “Nizalota” - Dreaming of a Better Future
The new single “Nizalota” by the Zambian singer-songwriter Shalu Chisenga will be released on June 1st, 2024
If one had to put all the diverse attributes that describe Shalu Chisengas' music - such as the mix of genres, the use of different languages, and the fusion of traditional and modern elements - into one word, it might be: “dreamy”. Or “hopeful”. Shalu Chisengas new single “Nizalota” will be released on 1st of June 2024 and translates from Nyanja, one of 74 Zambian languages, as “I will dream”. In Shalus first acapella song he combines different layers of his voice to create the full and unique sound of “Nizalota”. Nothing is synthetic, ven the bass is voice-only! While the outcry “Maiwe” is an utterance of dismay about the current state of the world, the remaining lyrics of the song talk about hope for a better future and surrounding yourself with the ones you love and who share a positive perspective on the world. Something everyone needs these days.
Press Release 02/2024
Notice! Hip-hop meets indie and African vibes: Groove, genre mix and poetic lyrics by Shalu Chisenga
The new single “Notice” by the Zambian singer-songwriter Shalu Chisenga will be released on March 8th, 2024
Authenticity, originality, and creativity - these are buzzwords that describe both Shalu's sound and his lyrics. His new single “Notice”, which will be released on March 8th 2024, is the symbol of these themes: Shalu merges different genres such as hip-hop and indie with African vibes - and the lyrics of Notice are a motivation to create your own way, to celebrate differences and to be open to new things. But the song also has autobiographical elements and has a lot of attitude. Shalu wants to show his skills - but doesn't want to adapt to the mainstream; he wants to reach an audience - but not sell himself to the industry; he wants to move people – and stay true to himself. Because he doesn't want to be put into a box musically, it was difficult to find a music producer who understood his sound, as he sings in Notice:
“They said I had to be a certain type to be played on stereo - but my sound is not the stereotypical”.
When Shalu came to Germany in 2020 and Corona brought live music to a standstill, it was quickly decided: he would learn to produce and mix music himself. 3 years, many learning experiences, and long working days later, he is releasing his fifth song, Notice, on Spotify & Co. - and has numerous other projects planned. “I always saw myself as more of a live musician - but now I've become a real geek. I can grasp music in completely new dimensions and understand it in a new way. This also helps me a lot to improve my live performances and to re-explore my musical creativity.” There is no lack of material for upcoming songs. Shalu: "I still have more than 30 finished songs waiting to be recorded and produced - and at least twice as many song ideas." And one thing is clear - the next song will be something completely different and new again.
Shalu is a promising newcomer to the European music scene and has shows planned in Germany and neighboring countries as well as further releases for 2024 - in line with Notice:
“I need a clear path, I’m coming through, you better notice, know this - you better watch this!”