By Durrell Namasani
One of the celebrated Malawi music producers, Chris Kele has sadly passed away. A veteran of the music game , Kele who was a musician turned producer breathed his last at his base in South Africa where he has been residing for the past 11 years.
Making the announcement on social media, the producers brother Mada Chpwaila wrote “It is with great sadness that I announce the demise of my young brother, Christopher Chipwaila, who most knew as Chris Kele, in south africa this morning.
The family is currently working on repatriating the body back home for the burial. In the mean time we will keep you updated on the arrangements”
We mourn with hope as he joins the angels in singing with the angels as he lived and has departed for music which he loved so much”
Born Christopher Chipwaila, Kele burst onto the music scene in the late 90’s as a dancehall singer calling himself Palm C. He then reinvented himself as an RnB crooner releasing an album which contained hits like Uzibweza Ngongole which enjoyed a lot of airtime at the time. His later years saw him be a member of music groups like Acacius Band and the Zigzaggers. He the focused more on producing music working with a lot of Malawians big names such as Limbani Banda
Chris Kele later moved to South Africa where he continued to produce and perform focusing more on Jazz Music
Chris Kele died on Wednesday morning at Baragwanath Hospital. The music fraternity has led tributes for the fallen talented start whose funeral details will be released later
Eric Paliani who perfomed with Kele in Acacius Band and spent time together in RSA wrote ‘Oh man. Christopher Chipwaila. I thought we were going to jam one more time in this life at the Acacias Band Reunion. I have tales, stories that I will hold on to. RIP bro!”
Code Sangala wrote “It’s starting to register that the news is actually real. Still processing,still shocked.One of Malawi’s guitar greats,rest well Chris Kele.Thank you for your bass line on #nkhawa.We were honoured to work with you on our first album. Terrible loss to the Malawi music industry!Gutted!
Nyamndoro Mthenga who seemed to have had plans in the pipelan with Kely wrote “Chris Kelle. You told me you were coming back. You promised to record me. What is this now… Only God knows.
