Long-awaited international release from Zambian CYPRO records

The debut album will be sold through IICD in the Netherlands with an initial production run of 100 copies. IICD has announced that the first copies will be made available at ‘ICT: een onderbelichte katalysator voor duurzame ontwikkeling’ – a symposium to honour the departure of former-Managing Director of IICD, Jac Stienen, to be held in Den Haag on March 11th. All profits received from CD sales will be redirected back into the Chawama Youth Project. 

Helping a community of musicians

There are many young people living in the Chawama region who are unemployed and wish to improve their livelihoods by exploring the possibilities of making a living through music. The ICT Integration, Multimedia & Recording (CYPRO) project has been built on this goal, designed specifically to support the artistic talent of the local youths, by offering them the opportunity to develop recording and production, using digital editing software such as Fuity Loops and QBase.

The musicians get the opportunity to record their songs in a small studio followed by guided practice in how to edit, mix and produce professional quality recordings. After this process is finished, they then go on to learn how to create CD Roms for their music. Further assistance is then offered in marketing their music.

One of the musicians, Snaga, said that their ambition is really to become international music superstars. “Of course… and actually, we are getting massive airplay on Zambian radio stations!” He went on to say that the project provided a good meeting space for local musicians. “We’re really like family…and we help each other”. It isn’t uncommon to see guest appearances from other artists on a number of recordings, and the project helps to support that.

Commenting on the decision to sell the music in the Netherlands, Caroline Figuères, Managing Director of IICD said: “IICD certainly doesn’t intend to become a record company! We want to create awareness of the wonderful and inspiring work being achieved by our partners in the field. Some of the songs – and for me particularly the ones dealing with the effects of the HIV/Aids epidemic - are deeply moving, and this voice is coming out through the work of this project.”

Download a copy of Chabota by RT and Snaga.

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