Maiko Zulu
Maiko Zulu | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Michael Somanje Zulu |
| Genres | Reggae |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, producer, songwriter, politician |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Website | Official website |
Maiko Zulu (born Michael Somanje Zulu) is a Zambian musician,[1] human rights activist[2], politician and a recognized International Labour Organisation (ILO) Child Ambassador to Zambia. His work both in the music industry and human rights arena is well known both locally and internationally.[3]
Early life
Maiko was born in Livingstone which is a tourist capital city of Zambia. He grew up on his family owned farm. Maiko moved to Lusaka, the capital city of Zambia at the age of six.[4] It was while in Lusaka that Maiko began his singing career. Maiko often jumped the walls to watch local musicians perform. Later while in school, he toggled between being an amateur boxer, a drama actor and a budding songwriter.
Music, however, got the best of him and started traveling across the country performing with local music legends such as Ackim Simukonda, PK Chishala and Chris Chali of the Amayenge Cultural Ensemble.
Music career
He entered the music industry with a stage name called "St. Michael", a name he later changed.[5] According to Times of Zambia newspaper interview with Zulu, he said that he changed his name "to maintain his African origin hence, adoption of the local spelling of Maiko".[6]
He has also performed with international musicians such as Brenda Fassie, Lucky Dube, Oliver Muthukudzi, Jabu Khanyile and Kanda Bongoman among others.
His songs include the controversial Mad President, which the state owned TV broadcaster banned from airing on their station.[7][8][9]
Discography
- In the Ghetto (2001)
- Pressure (2004)
- Reggae Unlimited (2005)
- Mad President (2006)
- Monk Square Revolution (2008)
- Ju$tice For Hire (2009)
Community work
Maiko is credited for promoting human rights in Zambia. He received an award for this work from the International Labour Organization.[10] He speaks on behalf of the poor, especially children.[11] He is also an outspoken critic of politicians. He recently took part in a protest against the Zambian ruling political parts' continued harassment of Journalists.[12] He has also raised money and donated basic necessity goods to prisons[13]
Political career
Human rights activism
Due to his involvement and active work in promotion of human rights, International Labour Organization (ILO) honoured him as goodwill Ambassador Against Child Labour for Zambia.
Awards and honours
In 2001 he became the first Zambian artiste to be nominated for the Kora All Africa Music Awards [14]. He has won the local Ngoma Awards for Best Male Performer on two occasions[15] and also has an Annual Zambian Music Industry Awards in his collection. Maiko was also nominated for the M-Net Most talked about artiste awards in Zambia.
References
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- ↑ "Dodgy DJs' under fire in Zambia", BBC News, May 30, 2008.
- ↑ " Maiko Zulu makes it with Reggae unlimited ", ZAMNET, May 4, 2005.
- ↑ " Those who engage in violence against journalists will face the law – Kunda ", The Post, August 3, 2009.
- ↑ " Biography' ", Maiko Zulu website, July 22, 2009.
- ↑ "Maiko Zulu's Blurbs " MySpace catched page August 31, 2011.
- ↑ I am now Maiko Zulu! Times of Zambia
- ↑ "Dodgy DJs' under fire in Zambia ", BBC News, May 30, 2008.
- ↑ "Mad president", YouTube, June 30, 2009
- ↑ ZNBC Rejects St Michael’s Album Lyrics Africa
- ↑ "Maiko Zulu makes it with Reggae unlimited", ZAMNET, May 4, 2005.
- ↑ "Audio slideshow: The music of the ghetto", BBC News, Aug 19, 2009
- ↑ "Those who engage in violence against journalists will face the law – Kunda", The Post Newspaper, July 30, 2009
- ↑ Maiko Zulu donates to Kamwala Remand prison Lusaka Times newspaper (Zambia)
- ↑ Kora Awards
- ↑ National Arts Council of Zambia
External links
- Mad president CD Zamtunes
- Maiko zulu website Official website