FIRSTLY, before I start writing about the Sakala Brothers’ separation, let me convey my condolences to family and friends of Marvin Kasomo of the gospel group Blessed Three (B3) who died last week at University Teaching Hospital (UTH).
Marvin was admitted at UTH in the intensive care unit after sustaining head injuries in fatal road traffic accident in Chibombo area on Great North road.
B3 is the group behind the hit song Balika, which enjoyed massive airplay both on radio and TV airwaves.
His death comes barely a month after we lost two other great sons of the soil in the likes of Jordan Sinkala of IMPI and Ras Willie. May their souls rest in peace and their music live on.
The past  week has been an interesting one for the music industry as Zambia’s most admired and respected music duo allegedly separated.
Levy Sakala of the famous Sakala Brothers announced that he is no longer part of the group which has been adhered to for the past 25 years.
Imagine seeing the Sakala Brother’s performing together, the outfit, the dances, the big bodies carrying big smiles and roots and culture on them, jumping to their highest heights, while churning that tune that reminds you of the good old days.
Well, for now the two bodies will no longer be together as was the case in Chipata recently when Moses Sakala looked a loner without his better half on stage during a show at the Wildlife conservation.
Levy Sakala told Times Entertainment, “The Sakala Brothers has been there for a long time and I wish them success but I have decided to choose God over them.”
“I went through a near death experience in August last year and as such I have decided to dedicate my life to God who saw me through,” he said.
Levy Sakala’s statement sees Moses remaining as the only Sakala in the group that has recorded hits for 25 years from Kumawa to Born in Matero.
It’s a sad development for the music industry, especially the youngsters that looked up to the duo for inspiration and motivation.
Quarter a century is a long time and as Talking Music, we wish to see the duo back and if there are any differences apart from the reasons given by Levy to quit the group, let them iron them out.
The Sakala brothers’ music is not gospel but it cannot also be regarded as earthly but inspiration as it touches on issues of morals and culture.
Sources close to the duo told Talking Music that the two friends who share the same surname never met to discuss the issue of splitting or going separate ways.
“The information we have is that the two never met to discuss the splitting though Levey has not been coming to the studios,” the source said.
The source also reviewed that Moses Sakala looks disturbed with the news as he only knows that his friend has health issues that have been keeping him on and off the stage.
“As you are aware Levy Sakala had a serious health issue last year and as such when we go for concerts sometimes he complains of not feeling well and we leave him behind to recover but the issue of quitting and starting another career is strange to us,” said a source.
The Sakala Brothers have been involved in many cultural projects with different distinguished organisations such as UNESCO, Alliance Francaise, French and American embassies.
The group recently successfully launched the Born in Matero album which also won the Best Live Recording at the controversial Zambian Breweries sponsored Zambian Music Awards (ZAMA) for 2013.
What do you think of the Sakala Brother’s split?
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