Gemini Major – Malawi’s fastest rising star in South Africa

The saying “A prophet has no honour in his homeland” continues to echo in Malawi as more and more local talent continue to gain recognition and dominate in regional and international showbiz industry.

Gemini in Badmanting
Gemini in Badmanting video song

Benn Gilbert Kamoto, better known as Gemini Major, is a Malawian born afro–pop singer and record producer. Born in June 1990, Gemini Major finished his high school in 2007 and later graduated in Information Technology (IT) in 2009, in the same year he moved to Durban, South Africa to pursue his dream as an artist and record producer.

In 2015, the Malawian born producer made headlines when he got signed to Family Tree label which is owned by South African Award Winning rapper, Cassper Nyovest.

“I got signed on 14th of June 2015 which also happened to be my birthday. That was the day when Cassper made the announcement. I am very humbled and looking forward to making good music with this team,” said Gemini Major in an interview.

In the same year, Gemini Major was nominated for Producer of the year at South Africa Hip Hop Awards alongside South Africa’s best Hip Hop producers such as Anatti, Riky Rick, Ganja Beats and Tweezy.

As if this was not enough, the Malawian producer also did cameos in South African music videos. He has appeared in DJ Switch and Cassper Nyovest’s “Raphandawenawetsang” of which he produced and Witness The Funk (WTF)’s “Wangnika” videos.

Recently, he has released “Badman ting” featuring Aweon Wolf and “Ragga Ragga” featuring newly Family Tree signed label mate female rapper Nadia Nakai which are enjoying airplay on South African radios.

“Badman Ting” video was released in April this year and he performed it live on Channel O.

In an interview with Channel O, the self acclaimed new age Shabba Ranks said his sound is a mixture of different influences ranging from Hip Hop, reggae dancehall and African sounds.

“I come from Malawi, we have different sounds,” said Gemini who was heard mentioning Malawi throughout the Channel O interview.

He has also produced Nasty C’s “Juice Back”, Stilo Magolide’s “Day Off” and featured on Khuli Chana’s “Walking and Dabbing”, DJ Waxxy’s “International”.

Among other achievements, this year Gemini Major received a Rising Star Award at Malawi Achievers Awards – South Africa which took place Scarlet Ribbon in Johannesburg.

Asked on what he thinks on Malawi music industry, Gemini Major said: “I have been out of the Malawian industry for a while but I definitely would like to be part of building it up internationally, I am hoping to build a bridge between Malawian industry and South African industry.”

“I will be dropping a new single and video in collaboration with a Nigerian dancehall artist. Big name, I can’t disclose at the moment. I am also working on a new project with Malawi’s DJ Sonye,” he revealed.

The Family Tree member who was also part of Cassper Nyovest’s “Refiloe” album as a featured artist and producer further disclosed that he is currently working on his new project which he said details will be announced in due time.

The Malawian born producer was also one of the opening acts who performed at Cassper Nyovest’s “fill up the dome” concert which he described as one of the incisive moments in his artistic career.

He said: “Performing in front of 20,000 people at the “FillUpTheDome” concert. I didn’t think that was possible, at least not so soon in my career.”

According to Gemini Major, his sound is inspired by artists such as Wizkid, Burna Boy, Bob Marley and I-Octane.

“My sound is a celebration of music, love and life in recognition for both its pain and pleasures on a personal level as well as socially,” Gemini said.

Gemini’s past work include production used in TV Shows such as Gold Diggers Season 3, Forever Young and Mo Love.

He has also worked with South African Hip-Hop artists such as JR, DJ Switch, Reason, Da L.E.S, Burna Boy, Kid-X, Smashis, Big Nuz, Dream Team, and R&B singer Tamarsha.

However, some quarters have noted the need for Gemini to put in much work promoting his music on the local scene to familiarize himself with Malawians.

Critics have also noted that the common problem with artists most artists living in Diaspora think if they make it on international music platforms then they have also automatically made it in Malawi, which is not the case.

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :

Sharing is caring!

Follow us in Twitter
1 Comment
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
phiri m
phiri m
7 years ago

the guy on the pic from the video is not Gemini major

Read previous post:
Wanderers survive Reserve scare to reach round of 16 as Silver date Civo: Malawi Carlsberg Cup

Mighty Be Forward Wanderers on Tuesday narrowly beat its reserve side 1-0 in a brotherly affair to reach the 2016 Carlsberg Cup...

Close