Ras Willie: Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox musical artist
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His style of music unique and energetic reggae style which blended jazz, rock, ska and rumba. He also had influences from the likes of [[Keith Mlevu]], Blackfoot, Peace, Tinkles and Five Revolutions as well as [[WITCH]], where his brother, the late [[Chris “Kims” Mbewe]] was the lead guitarist. As road manager for WITCH band, Ras Willie got a lot of [[Zamrock]] influence and fused it into his music.
His style of music unique and energetic reggae style which blended jazz, rock, ska and rumba. He also had influences from the likes of [[Keith Mlevu]], Blackfoot, Peace, Tinkles and Five Revolutions as well as [[WITCH]], where his brother, the late [[Chris “Kims” Mbewe]] was the lead guitarist. As road manager for WITCH band, Ras Willie got a lot of [[Zamrock]] influence and fused it into his music.


His biggest break came in 1986 while in Botswana when he appeared with a British reggae/pop group UB40 at a show.
His biggest break came in 1986 while in Botswana when he appeared with a British reggae/pop group UB40 at a show. ''“It was a big surprise when I appeared with UB40 and we performed along with a Zambian band, the [[Broadway Quintet]], [[Afro Sunshine]] where my brother Chris was and Maluba,”'' Ras Willie explained to the [[Times of Zambia]] in an interview.


===Lunda Lunda album===
===Lunda Lunda album===
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===Songs of Joy album===
===Songs of Joy album===
In 1993, Willie released his first album ''Songs of Joy'' and was was distributed the world over by Teal Records. The album hit number one in Japan on the African music charts.
In 1993, Willie released his first album ''Songs of Joy'' and was was distributed the world over by Teal Records. The album hit number one in Japan on the African music charts.
“It was a big surprise when I appeared with UB40 and we performed along with a Zambian band, the Broadway Quintet, Afro Sunshine where my brother Chris was and Maluba,” Ras Willie explained to the Times of Zambia in an interview.


==Discography==
==Discography==

Revision as of 14:36, 9 February 2018

Ras Willie
Ras Willie.jpg
Background information
Birth nameWilliam Wamudambo Mbewe
Born1970
Died2014
Lusaka, Zambia
GenresReggae

Ras Willie (born William Wamudambo Mbewe) was a Zambian reggae musician, composer, songwriter, percussionist and music engineer.

Early life

Ras Willie was born William Wamudambo Mbewe in 1970 in Kabwe. He was born in a family of musicians. His father is said to have been playing music to the local community during beer parties and his brother Chris was part of the WITCH band in the Zamrock era. In the mid 1980s he changed his name to Ras Willie after listening to the sounds of Burning Spear, Israel Vibration and Bunny Wailer, and ultimately embracing Rastafarianism.

He later left Mungwi Technical High School in Northern Province and joined the WITCH as their Road Manager. When his brother left for Botswana, he too followed suit, and together with Alex Kunda of the Mosi-Oa-Tunya Band, they formed the Afro Sunshine Band.

Musical career

His style of music unique and energetic reggae style which blended jazz, rock, ska and rumba. He also had influences from the likes of Keith Mlevu, Blackfoot, Peace, Tinkles and Five Revolutions as well as WITCH, where his brother, the late Chris “Kims” Mbewe was the lead guitarist. As road manager for WITCH band, Ras Willie got a lot of Zamrock influence and fused it into his music.

His biggest break came in 1986 while in Botswana when he appeared with a British reggae/pop group UB40 at a show. “It was a big surprise when I appeared with UB40 and we performed along with a Zambian band, the Broadway Quintet, Afro Sunshine where my brother Chris was and Maluba,” Ras Willie explained to the Times of Zambia in an interview.

Lunda Lunda album

His 2001 album Lunda Lunda won him several awards including Best Traditional National Award at the AZAMI Awards and a nomination at the Kora All Africa Music Awards. The title-track of the album talks about the Luba-Lunda migration with Ras Willie saying music was inspired by the mystics of Mwata Kazembe and the Mutomboko dance.

Songs of Joy album

In 1993, Willie released his first album Songs of Joy and was was distributed the world over by Teal Records. The album hit number one in Japan on the African music charts.

Discography

  • Luba Lunda — 2001
  • Songs of Joy — 1993

Death

A week before his death, he asked for friends to remember to pray for his mother who he said was not feeling well. Within that same week, he expressed sadness at the passing on of former National Soccer Team striker Dennis Lota. His death came shortly after he released his third album, Ras Willie and the Kings Rhythms Original Sounds of Zambia in Jazz.[1]

Main references

References

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