Local talented artists in Malindi are starring at a great future following a timely program launched by an Italian investor to tap into their talents.
The program launched by Mr Franco Cozi alias ‘Babu on the Coast’ is meant to help the artist develop their careers which have been dropping down due to the corona pandemic.
Mr Cozi who has lived in Kenya for over 30 years said he recruited a team of talented artists under Fanisi Band who use some traditional made musical instruments made from local wears to perform contemporary music.
Already one of the artists K Simba who is Cozi’s adopted son launched his first Album at the white elephant resort attended by both locals and foreigners last evening.
According to Mr Cozi, the reason for him to organize the launch of the Album to show how people can organize themselves despite the tough moments caused by the covid 19 pandemic.
“My purpose is to invest time and all my economic effort to support talents because they need to be known also outside this wonderful and lovely country,’’ he said.
He said that the Covid 19 pandemic has really affected Italy, Germany and France as the situation was worse than in Kenya despite the fact that the economy was already tough.
Mr Cozi said currently he is working with a team of 10 artists who are using artisanal instruments instead of professional instruments created by their hands.
When he came to Kenya for the first time in 1999 with his wife, daughter, and K Simba, his Idea was to do something for the country.
Five years ago, his ‘son’ K Simba begun practicing with the Fanisi band and they decided to develop the album in Malindi.
His wish is to take the entire team to Europe so as to expose their talents more to the international scene.
Mr Simba said he was happy to release his first album called the Black star and thanked everybody who created time to come for the launch.
“I am very grateful for this moment and grateful for every great person that has put his hands his brain, finance to this project, “he said.
He said his album consist of Pop music, reggae music and African dance hall music adding that there is a message for politicians and everybody not to lose hope during this pandemic.
Artists said the launch could have been bigger but due to the pandemic they had to limit the number of people to prevent the spread of the pandemic
“The event has been to my expectation due to the coronavirus pandemic the number has been reasonable,’’ he said.
Simba said the pandemic has made it difficult to perform live concerts or even at parties and other events which made life difficult.
He called on President Uhuru Kenyatta to know that the pandemic has caused a lot of suffering and poverty due to the economic crisis.
Kaingu Supi an artist from Fanisi Band in Malindi said they were happy to be part of the launch of Simba’s album.
He said their type of music has very few audiences in Africa that’s why very few people understand their music.
Mr Supi said since the pandemic struck life has been very tough as they have not been able to perform in hotels which were closed as there are no international tourists who are mainly their audience.
“Right now, there are some counties which are under lock down and business-wise there is no businesses so such events make people to reflect and restart afresh through music,’’ he said.
Since the covid-19 pandemic stuck he said they have been forced to begin online shows and came up with songs for the pandemic which they play during community outreaches.
He urged the government to loosen the restrictions so as to enable people to go back to their day-to-day activities as the economy is down.
Katoi Wa Tabaka a renowned Malindi artist said he was happy to be part of the album launch for K Simba as it was an opportunity to showcase talents.
“The pandemic has had negative effects to artists countrywide as the regulations are very strict making it hard for them to survive. In Mombasa for example he said they banned all shows completely making it difficult for them to perform the few hours before curfew. The government should consider the lives of artists they are going through many challenges,” he said.
