P.K. Chishala - Umuti Wa AIDS Part 1 & 2 - Zambian Single (Bemba, 1987)

Please like, subscribe and leave a comment. Be sure to tap the bell to be notified so you don't miss new uploads. Today's record comes from he Legendary P.K. Chishala. The song, Umuti Wa A.I.D.S. came out in 1987 as AIDS truly began to gain awareness across the world. He wasn't the only one to sing about HIV/AIDS at the time, but certainly his song is the most remembered. There is another version of his song that you may find on Youtube that comes from an album, "Shani! The Sounds of Zambia." The single version is quite a bit longer than the three and a half minute version on that album. It's a great song and one that still has relevance today, even though treatment options have increased in the past 40 years. My copy is a bit beat up, but it's still worth a listen. Peter Kalumba "PK" Chishala was another of Zambia's great blind musician / songwriters, joining the ranks of Lazarus Tembo and Spokes Chola. Born in Kitwe in 1957, he lost his sight in childhood due to a bout with smallpox. I've found it hard to find much information about his early life. He finished primary and Secondary school and may have been active in music as early as the 1970's though what I can verify is that he worked for the Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation until his music career took off. It wasn't until the 1980's that he rose to national attention with his song "Ba Pastor," a criticism of the corruption and hypocrisy of church leaders. Numerous songs followed, taking on such subjects as government corruption and the plight of the poor. He became known, not only for his musicianship as a powerful songwriter, but also for lyrics that tackled issues relevant to the average Zambian. His first album, Church Elder, released under the Kariba label, earned him the Soloist of the Year Award in 1987. In 1988, he represented Zambia on the international stage as a WOMAD Festival flag-bearer in the UK. Chishala's career would continue into the 90's with his last album, "Common Man," released in 1991. He reportedly died of liver failure in 1995 or 1996. I'm not certain if he was among the many Zambian musicians who died of complications of AIDS but it's certainly possible. It was very common in the 90's to report other diseases as the cause of death. There was perceived shame in dying of H.I.V. / A.I.D.S. Regardless, P.K. Chishala is considered by many to be Zambia's greatest Kalindula artists. His music influenced numerous other Zambian artists and unlike a lot of Zambia's Kalindula artists, remains a name that many Zambians still know today. Umuti Wa A.I.D.S. 00:00 - Umuti Wa A.I.D.S. - Part 1 04:06 - Umuti Wa A.I.D.S. - Part 2 Kairba (Teal Records) KSP 069 1987 DISCLAIMER: All music uploaded to this channel is shared with the intention of preserving rare out of print recordings and making them available to audiences who might otherwise never have an opportunity to experience the artists and their performances. Links to reissues will be provided when available. I do not claim copyright on any of this music. Copyrights belong to their respective owners. This channel is not and will never be monetized. If you are the artist or represent the artist and would like this recording removed, please reach out via the comments or contacts listed on my main page. #zambianmusic #zambia #kalindula #rumba #pkchishala #africanmusic #folkmusic #1980ssongs #recordcollecting