Chasaya Sichilima Downloads

From the cold breeze of Toronto, Canada comes smouldering pieces of African music that have rocked airwaves in North America and elsewhere around the world. Behind that music is the Zambian musician Chasaya Sichilima.   Regarded as one of Zambia’s prolific singers, songwriters and... Learn More »

From the cold breeze of Toronto, Canada comes smouldering pieces of African music that have rocked airwaves in North America and elsewhere around the world. Behind that music is the Zambian musician Chasaya Sichilima.
 
Regarded as one of Zambia’s prolific singers, songwriters and performers, Chasaya Sichilima was inspired and influenced by a kaleidoscope of Zambian and foreign artistes.
His repertoire of influences includes Zambia’s greats such as The Witch, Ackim “the Voice” Simukonda, Teddy Chilambe, PK Chishala, Alick Nkhata, Keith Mlevhu, and a myriad of foreign artists ranging from the Winans, Tabu Ley, Salif Keita, Lokua Kanza, Franco, Africando, Willy Chirano to Peabo Bryson and Luther Vandross.

The blend of African and Western Rhythms give Chasaya a unique feel that makes him an internationally accepted artiste. Testimony to this is the response his debut album ‘Inspirationally Yours’ received when it was released in 2002. On the album Chasaya switches between Rhythm ‘n Blues and Zambian traditional folk and still captures the imagination of his listeners. In the R ‘n B vein are songs like ‘Now and Forever’, ‘I have found in You’ and the infectious ‘Zambia’. ‘We Kaela’ a traditional folklore, ‘Moombe Wabacisya’, ‘Kalindawalo’ and the accapella ‘Chinchileni’ are the sweet African melodies on the album. Two of the tracks ‘We Kaela’ and ‘Moombe Wabacisya’ have been released in a compilation album of African artistes entitled ‘Bana Ya Africa'.

Viewed as the fresh voice of the Zambian music renaissance Chasaya’s smooth silky vocals are playing a pivotal role in taking the rich Zambian music genres of Kalindula, Makewane, Manchancha and Zambezi across the Atlantic Ocean and beyond the Mediterranean Sea. In the UK he played with British award producer nominees, Tony Henry and Trevor Bygrave and singer/songwriter Josh Sims.  In Canada, he has worked with artists such as award - winning jazz saxophonist Kenny Kirkwood, recording artist  Brian Allossery, multi-instrumentalist/producer Kobena Acquaa-Harrison and Reggae singer/songwriter Belinda Brady.
Chasaya has not only taken his mesmerizing vocals abroad but also his unique dance moves. He has proved to be an energetic performer who is a pleasure to watch. It is no coincidence that he scooped the UK 2001 Southport Cuban Salsa Dance Championships. Further more he has been a regular feature at AfroFest, Canada’s biggest African music and dance festival.  A selfless artiste, Chasaya decided to expose fellow Zambian artists to AfroFest and this saw The Sakala Brothers and rapper Louie X performing in the 2004 edition where they wowed crowds. In August 2004, he shared the stage with Papa Wemba and the Royal Drummers of Burundi at the Bana Ya Africa Festival in Toronto.
Although he is far flung in the cold clime of Canada, Chasaya is never out of touch with his beautiful homeland, Zambia. He just finished working on his second album Walasa!, a 15-month project in which he collaborated with various Zambian based musicians.  Contributors included Morris Mwape of the 80s band Five Revolutions – Mukamfwilwa fame, Pontiano Kaiche, Sakala Brothers, Michael Munali and James Mulenga of Yesu Culture, Louie X, Joe Chibangu, Uncle Rex, Mainza Chipenzi, Sebastian Mutale and Elijah Tembo Jnr of Anointed Powerhouse. Walasa! has captivating songs, a unique blend of contemporary and traditional rhythms, and a beautifully distinctive voice! Music pundits are describing it as a breath of fresh air on the local scene.
Born in Ndola, Zambia’s commercial and industrial capital, Chasaya is a Beit Trust Fellow with a Masters degree in Computer Science from Salford University and a first degree in Geochemistry from University of Manchester. His early years saw him attain primary and secondary education in Ndola at Kayele and Kansenshi schools respectively. He later went to Mpelembe Secondary School in Kitwe for his A – Levels. Before going for his masters degree Chasaya worked for the now unbundled and privatised mining company Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines (ZCCM) serving in the quiet woodland town of Chililabombwe, the croaking frog.
Chasaya has a dream of seeing African rhythms from Zambia hitting greater heights on all the continents. It is an achievable goal and the sky is certainly the limit.

from -
Chasaya Sichilima: With African Love from Canada
By Leonard Koloko


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