Profile of the Sakala Brothers

Famed for their vocal harmonies and energetic dance moves, the Sakala brothers have carried the torch of Zambian music for the last twenty years. They now carry the country's banner in the recent surge of worldwide interest in Zambian music and the Zambian music renaissance. The duo, Moses and Levy Sakala, have over the years been creating music sounds that leave an incredible mark in the hearts of many. Their music is woven around story-telling and social commentary on issues such as poverty, social-exclusion, corruption and greed. Their songs also celebrate life and it's challenges.

Interestingly, though Moses and Levy share the same Sir name, they are not related. They only met in 1986 at High School choir in Lusaka. They performed as a duo during School Assemblies. Soon their brand of music called Makewane (A term which refers to the rain-making shrine where songs in worship of the gods where made in times of need) was captivating audiences countrywide and by the time they finished high School, there was no doubt in pursuing music as their life's work.

Levy grew up in a religious home he was drawn to the singing and dancing he saw in church as a child. Moses had a totally different initiation into music; his major influence came from the neighborhood traditional healer who practiced with traditional dancing and chanting with the use of diverse traditional instruments.

The Sakala brothers have performed all over the world, and some of their notable performances include: the Southern African Development Community (SADC) music festival in Zimbabwe. The international Performing Arts Festival at Chang-Mu in South Korea, the World Tourism Fair in Netherlands. They have also toured the Southern African region, UK and Poland. Their 2002 tour of Poland for three months raised awareness on HIV/ AIDS and funds for African Children. The tour climaxed in the recording of 'Madzi Amoyo' album with Polish producers. Within the SADC sub-region, their music is enjoying listener-ship on radio stations in Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Congo and South Africa.

The group was involved with the Oxfam 'Make Trade Fair Campaign- Make big noise Campaign'. They spearheaded the campaign at the World Social Forum in Mumbai in 2004 together with Cold Play, REM, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Damon Albarn of Blur and Afel Bocoum of Mali. The Sakala brothers composed songs for the 'big noise' album. They also featured on the 'Life is a beautiful thing' movie soundtrack along side Oliver Mtukudzi, Ranto, Manu Dibango and Lucky Dube. The album won the best soundtrack award at the Minth Annual South Africa Music Awards. The Sakala Brothers performed at the Afro-Fest in Toronto Canada and many other places.