Malawi’s AyCee James collaborates with Nigerian Dr Sid: ‘China Love’ track

Malawi’s up-and-coming female rapper/singer AyCee James has collaborated with Nigeria’s celebrated singer Dr Sid on the remix of her song ‘China Love’.

The song has been released on the internet for download on Monday, 15 October, and will be promoted both in Malawi and Nigeria. It will be available on AyCeex.com, NotjustOk.com and TayoTv.net.

‘China Love’ is a very interesting song which AyCee sings and raps about she and her partner not having fake love as Dr Sid complements the special and timeless love the two have for each other.

This is the first time that the 21-year-old UK-based Malawian, real name Atupele Mahata, has collaborated with such celebrated award-winning singer who is signed to one of Nigeria’s renowned record labels, Mavin Records, owned by Don Jazzy.

Speaking about the collaboration, AyCee, who also has other singles such as ‘My Africa’ and ‘The Protege’, said Dr Sid had given her a lift in the right direction.

“I’m on a journey and to reach my destination, I will need to get a bus, drive, fly and walk at different points. This is one form of transportation to take me there,” she told Nyasa Times.

AyCee, who originally hails from Malawi’s old capital Zomba, said working with the artist, who is renowned for songs such as ‘YOLO’ and ‘Chocolate’, opens a lot of doors not only for her but also other Malawian artists.

And in an emailed interview with Nyasa Times, Dr Sid described AyCee as a very talented and quite versatile musician who has a lot of potential to do big things in world music.

“I heard the song China Love on the Mavin League social network and I thought it was a beautifully written song, and I wanted to support the artist,” said the musician, born Sidney Onoriode Esiri.

While saying he has not really heard music from Malawi, Dr Sid, who has worked with other celebrated Nigerian musicians such as D’banj and Wande Coal, expressed his interest to hear more from the Warm Heart of Africa.

With Nigerian music dominating the African continent, Malawi inclusive, the singer said it was important for musicians to have self-belief and concentrate on producing music that will make people happy.

“There’s a lotta competition in the Nigerian music industry, we constantly push ourselves to break boundaries, and we have a strong belief in our sound. We make happy music for people to enjoy and forget hardships that they may have.

“We’re also constantly trying to compete with the western world to show the power of African music,” he said.

Currently AyCee is working on an album and she looks forward to working with other celebrated Nigerian musicians among them M.I, Jesse Jagz, Ice Prince, Brymo and Pryse who she says have been very supportive with her music.

Having grown up listening to the likes of ABBA, Dolly Parton, TLC, SWV, Boyzone, Morgan Heritage and Sisqo, AyCee started off in music at the age of 10 by imitating the singers and rappers, before she started performing to her family and friends.

Her singing and dancing led her to performing at school and church talent shows as well as variety performances. She moved to England when she was 12, and started serious rapping in 2010.

Her first and latest mixtape is ‘Explore My Safari’ which includes 10 songs of her rapping and singing. She released the original version of the ‘China Love’ song early this year. It was produced by Malawi’s up-and-coming Blantyre-based producer Excess.

AyCee has also worked with Malawi’s Yesaya and is featured on Sean Focus’ latest release ‘Waiting’. She is also on Young Kay’s ‘Zipepese’ remix, which also features Malawian female rappers Rina and Complex.

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