Tasila Mwale

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Tasila Mwale
Tasila Mwale.jpg
Tasila Mwale performing in 2015. Photo by Fortress
Background information
Birth nameTasila Mwale
Born (1984-02-24) 24 February 1984 (age 40)
Kitwe, Copperbelt
Occupation(s)Singer
Years active2002 – present

Tasila Mwale (born 24 February 1984)[1] is a Zambian singer/songwriter.

Early life and education

Mwale was born in Kitwe, Copperbelt to Moses & Margaret Mwale. She started singing at a very tender age and was influenced by artists such as Toni Braxton, Anita Baker, Beyonce and Joe Chibangu. She was an active member of the Scripture Union singing group at her school.

She attended high school at Mpelembe Secondary School in Kitwe's Nkana East.

Musical career

Straight out of school in 2002, Tasila first came to the public eye when she won the Zambian version of the Pop Idol competition, 'MNet Idols Zambia'.[1][2]

As an award for her performance she signed a one record recording contract with Zambian music label Mondo Music Corporation.[1] The result was her 12-track debut album Uchi (meaning "honey").[2] This album featured collaborations with several established Zambian musicians including Ballard Zulu, Joe Chibangu, and Black Muntu.[2] Other contributors included Saboi Imboela, Barbara Njovu and Queen Sheba.[3]

Tasila later featured on the Black Muntu second album “Kokoliko” providing lead vocals on tracks like ‘’Ubushimbe’’ and backing on ‘’Ba Lupwa Bandi’’ and ‘’Nkashi Yandi Kosa’’. She also featured on Ballard Zulu’s ‘’Chusi album on the song ‘’Iza’’ and Runell’s ‘’Osadabwa video.[3]

Soon after the release of her album she announced that she would be taking time off her music career to return to school to study Banking and Finance as an alternative career path. In 2006 she returned and started working on her second album, "Nilichabe Bwino" which was released in 2010.

Awards

Tasila won the 2015 Zambian Music Awards for Best Traditional music album.[4]

References

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  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Limwanya, Kennedy (2002) "Pop Idol Tasila Aims High", AllAfrica.com, 8 March 2002, retrieved 2010-11-05
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Tasila Mwale", National Geographic, retrieved 2010-11-05
  3. 3.0 3.1 Zambian Music Legends by Leonard Koloko, p120
  4. Up close with singer/songwriter Tasila Mwale, Lusaka Times, 22 May 2015