Malawian singer Kell Kay pulls together two of the country’s most exciting voices on “WALE,” linking up with Maso Award winner Zeze Kingston and Phalombe Muzik founder Giboh Pearson on an Urban Pop and Afropop collaboration.
The story behind the release is almost as interesting as the record itself. What started as a playful Monday Music Showdown – each artist teasing separate solo singles dropping on the same day – turned into a surprise joint reveal instead. So the friendly competition became a celebration of unity. That kind of organic marketing storytelling is rare in Malawi’s music space, and it built the right kind of anticipation before a single note dropped.
The record blends catchy urban pop melodies with Afro-inspired rhythms across all three performances. But what makes “WALE” land properly is the balance between the three artists. Zeze Kingston brings his Afropiano sensibility – built on the same wave that won him Best Male Artist and Best Live Act at the Maso Awards in 2023. Giboh Pearson adds the Southern Malawi street credibility that his Phalombe Muzik movement represents. Kell Kay holds the whole thing together as the record’s lead architect.
Yet none of the three overshadow each other. So the collaboration feels like a genuine three-way effort rather than one artist with two guest verses. That chemistry is exactly what makes “WALE” one of Malawi’s strongest collaborative releases of 2026.
For Malawian music fans watching their local scene grow, this is exactly the kind of record that deserves to travel beyond the country’s borders.
“WALE” is out now – play it and let us know which of the three artists came through hardest!
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