Ritaa Copyright: Ritaa
By DJ Edu
Presenter of This Is Africa on BBC World Service
Ritaa is a pioneering singer-songwriter from Malawi.
In 2016, she became the first female artist to reach the top spot in the Malawi charts - with her breakthrough hit Chapatali, featuring Dan Lu, one of the country’s major music stars.
“Chapatali was a big song - and it gave me the confidence to say that I have found my sound.”
Ritaa’s sound is what she describes as "Afro-music - with a bit of an urban touch". There are elements of R&B, dancehall and gospel in her songs - and she has collaborated with Malawian rap artists such as Gwamba and Piksy.
Ritaa is the first musician in her family - and, although she wasn’t following in anyone’s footsteps, her musical journey was influenced by her home life.
“I grew up listening to lots of music because my mum used to play music all the time, especially country music - including Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers.”
“I also listened to lots of Whitney Houston - and I think that she is one of the greatest voices that I have ever heard.”
These musical icons planted the seed of becoming a musician in young Ritaa’s mind. And she took the first step into music when she was about nine years old when she joined a church choir.
Ritaa released her first single - Meant to Be - when she was still at school and she was keen to do more. But she listened when her mum advised her to be patient and wait until she had finished her education - and then ‘do music however you want to.’
Ritaa is also leading the way in Malawi - by collaborating with other female artists. She has teamed up with Leslie - a composer, guitarist, singer-songwriter - on Wa Ine. The song tackles the subject of betrayal through a phone conversation between a wife and her husband’s girlfriend.
“In Malawi, it’s not very common to see two female artists working together. But I am a big supporter of women empowerment and I think I am just trying to do my part by creating opportunities through my art for women to work together, to stick together and to stand up for each other.”
“Leslie did the song justice, and working with her was easy and a very good experience for me.”
Ritaa has also collaborated with Tuno, another female Malawian musician, on one of the songs for her debut album, which she hopes to release by the end of the year.
She mostly writes her own songs. She is inspired by things that she sees in society - such as absent fathers which she highlights in Mubwere, her favourite Ritaa song.
The most common thread running through Ritaa’s work is love - in families, friendships and relationships.
“My message to the world would be one of love - and we should all strive to show and share it.”
To hear the full interview with Ritaa, listen to This is Africa on BBC World Service radio and partner stations across Africa, and online here: bbcworldservice.com/thisisafrica.
BBC