Lawii ARTIST PROFILE

“I love music. I feel I was born to do it. It’s one thing

that’s been constant in my life since I was a child”

@lawimusic Lawi Music

L
AWI is a young Malawian artist on an exciting journey. In two short years
since his debut release Lawi is a popular artist on radio, live (both in Malawi
and abroad) and on social media. Lawi has won an award from Malawi’s
music industry, is a nominee for the All Africa Music Awards and is actively
involved in charity work and various developmental programs in Malawi.

Lawi was born Francis Chris Phiri in Blantyre, Malawi in 1986. Lawi is an
abbreviation of Nzululwazi, “custodian of wisdom” in the Ngoni language. “My
parents had high hopes!” says Lawi with a smile.

“Many of us Malawians have grown up with an inferiority complex in relation to

our place in the world. I love sharing Malawi’s cultural flavour on stage. There
is more to Malawi than the famous lake! We have so much to contribute to the
world artistically so I am proud to present what we have for all to enjoy.

Lawi
“
I believe music is at its best when
it is bringing people together in
celebration, regardless of who they are
or where they come from.
History
Lawi stage set is a colourful
fusion of original African rhythms
and soul music, which sees him in
regular demand as a performer.
With his band, Lawi and the
Mango, he has performed with
artists as diverse as jazz luminaire
Jimmy Dludlu, South African soul
and funk legend Ray Phiri. Lawi
has received critical acclaim at
Malawi’s landmark event, Lake of
Stars andhis summer tour in the
United States in 2014.

Lawi credits Malawian musician

Mte Wambali Mkandawire as
a major source of inspiration
and awareness of the power of
Malawi’s arts and culture “I am
drawn to the richness of organic
sounds we have in African
music. I am of Lomwe and Ngoni
descent. In those cultures there
are sweet melodies, plaintive
work songs and fascinating
tories – a rich seam of material
for Malawian artists to share with
the rest of the world.

Mte opened my mind to that.”

Lawi channelled his interest in
music by playing guitar seriously
from the age of 9. It almost ended
as a childhood hobby.
“We come from a nation where music
is not recognized as a means to sustain
a livelihood. As children we were
discouraged from pursuing music as a
career. Instead, we were encouraged to
focus on education, so one day you could
get a job in an office”
However, an experience in studio at the age of the Ministry of Arts and Culture of
of 13 with Malawi’s legendary producer
Dynamike sealed Lawi’s future.
“Seeing the production process come
to life opened my soul up to a whole new
world of creativity. Most importantly, I felt audiences. His mature sound, precision
that this was where I belonged and what I
could do for life”
“I admire African artists like Angelique
Kidjo and Richard Bona who continue
toexperiment with the African sound.
John Legend is a genius who is rooted in
soul and writes such conscious music.”
Lawi says, when citing his influences The
Nation of Malawi credits Lawi as “a major
contributor to what local urban music in
Malawi has become today”
Bernard Kwilimbe, Deputy Director
Malawi comments that Lawi is “The
most wonderful thing to happen to
the arts in Malawi in recent years. His
innovation, creativity, originality, and
joy make him especially relevant to
and professionalism set him apart. He
presents himself as an artist you really
want to know. He is a great artistic
ambassador for Malawi.
Lawi’s most recent career highlight was working with South Africa’s
Grammy winning Ray Phiri (Stimela), Paul Simon’s arranger and
guitarist on the triple Grammy winning album, Graceland.

“It was a childhood dream to collaborate with such a senior figure who is still active
and shares Malawian roots”.

Legendary South African Grammy winning musician Ray Phiri expresses enthusiasm for Lawi

“Lawi is a great young artist with a refreshingly clean sound. He is warm, grounded
and a person of conviction and purpose. You get a sense that his songs are coming
straight form the heart. I respect his craft and his clear sense of identity”

Lawi continues this in 2015, a year in which he will release new music and perform at key
events, both locally and internationally. He has already been nominated as Malawi’s 2015
representative in the African Song Contest produced by CNN’s Zeinab Badawi.
As for what to
expect next
“I like to push boundaries and
collaborate with creative dynamos.
I am different and unconventional. I
don’t “think outside the box” - there is
no “box” in the first place! I love music.
I can’t wait to share my new
work with the world”.
MANAGEMENT:
Farai Msika, Friday Arts and Media
Email: mlambo@mlambo.com
Tel: +447548409500
Twitter: @friday_arts

DISCOGRAPHY
2014 - Lawi (Independent)

AWARDS
2014 - Best Male Artiste (Southern Africa)
All Africa Music Awards - Nomination

2015 - Best Acoustic Jazz Artiste Malawian

Music Awards - Winner
CORPORATE
AND SOCIAL
RESPONSIBILITY
AMBASSADORSHIPS:
Lawi is Global ambassador for Mary’s
meals, Mary’s Meals provides life-
changing school meals to children
living in some of the world’s poorest
communities.
He is also ambassador for iCare, a
Malawian based NGO working with
strategic partners to improve conditions
in intensive care units in all major
hospitals in Malawi.
Lawi participated in a corporate
fundraiser in December 2014 which
raised funds for new ICU and equipment
now in use at Kamuzu Central Hospital,
Lilongwe. He has also served as
The HeForShe Ambassador for UN
Women, the HeForShe programme
is a worldwide initiative by the United
Nations to encourage men to take
ownership of the issues affecting the
equality of women in their community.
As an ambassador, Lawi writes
music which challenges misogyny
and promotes respect of women.
Lawi was the artistic lead in the
HeForShe launch held under
the auspices of the President of
Malawi in 2015. Since then he
embark on several Malawian and
international projects to progress
the UN Mandate for Women for
2015- 16. www.heforshe.org.
Lawi also produced music and
videos to spearhead Plan’s
Because I Am a Girl and improved
immigrant relations projects
in Malawi. Plan International is
an international development
organization operating in 51
countries across Africa, Asia and
the Americas to promote and
protect the rights of children.
THANK YOU.
@lawimusic Lawi Music