By Patrick Ng’ambi:
Popularly known as the short guy’ in entertainment circles and a holder of a Degree in Irrigation Engineering attained at Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Re4sources (LUANA) is a Blantyre based singer and rapper who got inspired by his college friend Casper Fredricks to start recording music.
Real name Joy Genneth Gondwe alias JEG Tellem, rose to fame in the year 2016 after releasing his first official song on Radio 2 FM’s Made on Monday program titled do like I do.
The song Do like I do’ exposed JEG to various music opportunities and to established artists like Blaze, Vube, Episodz and producer Blage during his early the days in the industry.
In his music journey, JEG has managed to get booked for numerous music festivals and shows, the recent being that of Kell Kay’s album launch in May at Lilongwe Golf Club where he shared the stage with international artists like Zanda and Mafikizolo from South Africa.
That being said, this coming Friday, is a day that is going to leave an indelible mark in JEG’s music career as he is set to release his first Extended Playlist (EP) entitled ‘Me vs Me.
In an interview on Monday, JEG said the EP portrays two sides of himself. The personal battles which he has fought within himself in making decisions at times when faced challenges which he did not feel like talking about with others in fear of being judged or misunderstood.
“The other side of the EP portrays the versatile talent that God gave me, I am able to sing and rap and this causes confusion amongst my funds.
Some people say, it is better I become a rapper while others say, it is better I become a singer. So, the songs in the EP showcase both sides of me,” JEG explained.
The eight track EP has been put together by a clique of some of the best producers in the country such as Cuff B, Chuxtpatseplan, King Duda, Manifest, DJ Langie and Evie Beats.
JEG said the decision of bringing several producers together was out of respect of which he has towards the producers since they were there for him when he was an amateur in the industry.
“I did this out of respect for all the producers that I started my music journey with and those that have been supporting me along the way. On top of that, I aimed at bringing different ideas together and give the audience a well-cooked EP,” he said.
The Me vs Me EP has brought together several notable Mdubz favorite musicians such as 6TH MW, Magga MW, K Banton, LJ Woyee, Earnestar and a lady called Nonymous.
The artist has recently released a track off the unreleased EP titled Mtopola, a song which talks about love outside the EP.
“Olo mudameje dameje, kumuleka sizingatheke, ndimadana ndi Mtopola. Muleke zoma kamuuza miseche, ndicholinga choti athetse, ndimadana ndi Mtopola. Ine ndimadana ndi Mtopola,” he sings in part.
Commenting on the development, Music Producer King Duda described the EP as a masterpiece and that music lovers out there should expect an EP full of good songs as well as good production.
A top fan on Facebook, Ranken Kagawa Namaumbo was full of excitement and encouraging words when the artist disclosed about the release date of the EP on his Facebook page.
Namaumbo wrote; “You never disappoint; we are going to buy the EP even though it is for free.”
The EP will be released on various streaming platforms and websites for downloading as well as on different radio stations countrywide.
