Keturah - Nchiwewe (Ode to Willie Nelson)

"In my country, many young people face heartbreaks, some end up hurting themselves, committing suicide, doing things that are not necessary. Sometimes we end up doing unnecessary things, we
put all the faults on us, we feel guilty if the relationships or marriages end, we feel it’s our fault. But sometimes it appears that we are not the problem - it’s the other person who is the problem. We have tried everything to make it work - and then we feel broken. But the others are the ones who are not good enough, They are like dogs biting people, taking advantage of people. And they will never be contented." - Keturah
Director and editor: Will Kachigwali
Choreographer: Julius Pounded
Dancers: Jacaranda School Students: Patricia Simon, Caroline Khembo, Maria Masamba, Julius Pounded, Serafina Mankhambo
Lighting: Japhet Chipwaila
Make up: Taddie's Beauty Care
Production Manager: Luc Deschamps
Drums: Mermans Mosengo
Tambourine: John Densmore
Bass: Kaveh Rastegar
Piano: Chris Tuttle
Harmonica: Mickey Raphael
Acoustic guitar, background vocals: Jason Tamba
Background vocals: Chris Pierce
Lead vocals: Keturah
Song by Keturah, Jason Tamba and Harlan Steinberger
From the warm heart of Malawi, Africa rises Keturah, a 27-year-old virtuoso arriving to the world stage with her self-titled debut. A 10-track odyssey chronicling Keturah’s journey from the tiny remote home village of Monza to the shores of Venice, California, Keturah updates traditional Malawian folk with contemporary rhythms from the greater African diaspora, a cultural exchange made possible through a unique opportunity to travel to Los Angeles to record her first full-length project.
Having never stepped foot on an airplane, let alone leave Malawi, Keturah's 30-hour trip proved to be a significant leap forward in an artist’s journey that began on foot. As a child, Keturah first realized her musical potential on walks through her village with her uncle. He’d strum his guitar and sing ballads. She’d just watch and listen until eventually gaining the confidence to join in with her own melodies. In song, she began to form a connection with her community that had long been elusive. As a child she mostly kept to herself, often feeling more like an elder than a friend to her peers. She found solace in her thoughts or those of her mother, who often sat her down to share wisdom through stories and memories. The two became best friends until she passed away when Keturah was only 13. Having already lost her uncle, Keturah turned to music as a way of carrying forward her family's message.
Not yet fourteen, but determined to reach a larger audience, again Keturah set out on foot, this time for Blantyre, Malawi’s second largest city, where she hoped to find a recording studio. She met a local producer who was so impressed by her voice that he offered to record her for free. Keturah put down one song that eventually made its way onto radio, launching her music career with releases empowering listeners to connect their Malawian identity as a way to realize their own power. The attitude resonated, Keturah earned the nickname “Naliyela, Local Girl” as she rose to the status of Malawian celebrity.
Her talent soon caught the eye of French Honorary Consul Luc Deschamps, who runs the Jacaranda Foundation, a Malawian school for orphans and its cultural center. He recognized her potential and connected her with Harlan Steinberger, director of Hen House Studios, an independent music label and recording studio, churning out roots and world music in Venice, California. Jacaranda arranged for Keturah to travel to Los Angeles to record at Hen House in July of 2022. She arrived with voice notes featuring roughly sketched melodies over lo-fi guitar and let Harlan mold things from there. He hoped to elevate the demos into anthems by calling in Playing for Change co-founder Mark Johnson and surrounding Keturah with an all-star cast of musicians, including the rhythm section of the Playing for Change Band (Jason Tamba and Mermans Mosengo), bass player Kaveh Rastegar (John Legend, Bruno Mars), Magatte Sow (Senegalese drummer featured on the Black Panther soundtrack), seasoned Kora player Prince Diabate, Mickey Raphael (Willie Nelson's long-time harmonica player), The Doors drummer John Densmore (percussion), soul singer Chris Pierce, Zimbabwean guitar legend Louis Mhlanga and the young Stones Throw pianist Jamael Dean.
The album journeys through a dynamic blend of genres, from the lively, upbeat afro-folk-funk rhythms of "Kwanumkwanu" to the emotive ballads of "Sukulu" and "Chimbalame", the Americana inspired “Nchiwewe” and more lighthearted tracks such as "All The Way from Africa" and "Ku Nyumba." Keturah's exceptional songwriting and powerful vocals are elevated by intricate percussion, melodic guitar lines, subtle backing vocals and horns, creating an eclectic album that showcases her talent as an African songstress ready to make a global impact.

[@christopherfrancis5669]

This time fake fans are filtered, Sometimes it's not just about the false numbers but the people who are truly inspired by your songs

[@THOKOZANISOKO-ss1lq]

lovely song. I like the way you use the art to promote our Malawian culture. Gobez! Bravo. I salute you Keturah

[@FrankMalunga-gl3cc]

Legendary vibes, roots of Africa

[@chifuniromasamba]

Well packaged. Ready to be exported. Stocks just went up📈📈

[@catherinemukula6940]

Classic music Keep it up girl 🎉

[@trymoo8479]

❤❤this is more than talent.

[@patriciamsopole8957]

My favorite❤

[@maureenkachala5644]

Raaaawwwwwwwwwww❤

[@SuezenThandeka-wd6bu]

I just this girl maka voice eish umandiwaza aise and umatha

[@MoffatBinali-pp8hi]

Mbambande keturah

[@ancientnkhata1137]

I think it's not about the number of people who listen to your songs about very few individuals who understand your talent

[@NyanjikhoElsie]

Everything perfect

[@rahemamuhammad9944]

This song is worthy thousands of like. It's One of her best songs

[@estherkampezeni443]

Nyc one

[@hildachangazi9741]

You never disappoint.. Good vocals .Good message . Remain blessed

[@preciouskachingwe4994]

This is true definition of African musiq

[@josephmoses8337]

pa iyeleiyeleee po

[@martinstenitzer8782]

Hey keturah, your voice is wonderful ❤

[@Prianka567]

Nice one

[@maliksow9704]

Outstanding voice 👏 from Los Angeles 🙏

[@JahmielArabian]

Imagine how good are the ballet 🩰 dancers. Spiced up with great vocals. Wow

[@mathewslambulira5115]

Eyatu, uyu ndiye Keturah ujatu. Amaswa sound

[@henrypumbwimwasinga4627]

Full package 📦🎉🇲🇼🇲🇼🌹

[@BridgetChiodzeka-kj5vi]

Oh my this lady is something else 😍😍😍😍

[@SekanayoChiumia]

Beautiful voice Keturah and classic wow

[@evansthorgan522]

Beautiful peice from Malawi💖

[@LumbaniSmith]

vocal and ballets are outstanding🔥🔥

[@hansyorknyundo2970]

How I wish I attend her show🙌

[@hellenchikandira]

Mwana wa mama 🔥🔥

[@falesslesamuel]

Beautiful song....I love the message ketu ❤️

[@Pungwe123]

mumatha amathu...keep the 🔥🔥🔥burning sis

[@eunicemoto5738]

Wow what a beautiful song

[@annettemoyo390]

🔥🔥🔥🔥this is something else💃

[@blessleeofficial]

Beautiful keturah

[@purityemily]

I love it woooooow

[@sarahtchereni794]

❤good music… this is beautiful

[@carolgwaza2521]

The voice😊🎉

[@shahchiramilamadzi-dr5hd]

Ketulah to the world indeed

[@donnexphilbertkondowe4354]

Wow golden voice. ❤

[@lovemapwina6661]

Beautiful voice ❤❤

[@cwellt]

Amazing 👏🏿 🔥

[@shakirahissah5381]

Champwetekadi mchiwewe🎉❤

[@matthewskatete4763]

this is really wonderful

[@verdianavanessabanda6016]

Beautiful dear

[@lameckgrandson]

Wow what a song❤

[@CLINTONCHIPINDA]

The song is awesome. ❤❤

[@tebogomakgakga6441]

Beautiful

[@EmilyKatonda-dh3wx]

🔥🔥🔥

[@da-teachermanda6877]

I love it

[@EdwardSinginiJr]

🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@iamGargxy02]

I love the song lyrics

[@robins_gondwe]

Love this❤

[@towerachiumia1407]

Classic 👌

[@marybanda1140]

Love it

[@chifundochiwayulawedulonic7489]

❤❤

[@vitumbikomhango6416]

Chiwewe achisare2

[@JosephWelle-w2x]

Big up

[@kaykaydawa7254]

@keturah

[@dysontambala1548]

Zokongola

[@Tapiephiri]

𝔹𝕖𝕒𝕦𝕥𝕚𝕗𝕦𝕝❤

[@bweeks6322]

promo sm

[@zeminchalemera9055]

🔥🔥🔥