Roberto


George da Soulchild reports on one of Zambia’s singing sensations – Roberto.

Local disc-jockey cum musician Robert Banda aka Roberto’s music appeal seems to be taking an international route as his latest single ‘Love You More’, set with a Nigerian-influenced tone continues to gain recognition locally and beyond borders. Roberto launched his singing career after his brother Ozzy in the early 2000s with songs such as Operator, Akasuba, These Words and Save our love.

Speaking prior to his performance at the Pulse Nightclub in Lusaka last Saturday, Roberto said he is focusing on the international platform to put Zambian music on the map. “I think music in Zambia has reached a level where we can take it outside and personally, I have been working hard to achieve that. You are aware that I belong to an African duo called UZ47 which features Uganda’s Tonix. For me this is a good experience and I have told myself that if I have to do music now, I should not just focus on Zambia but go beyond and that’s how ‘Love you more’ came about,” he says. “The whole purpose is to promote an international appeal in the region and outside the continent.”

He adds that he is almost ready with his latest project which he claims has done well in promos so far. Love You More has really impressed me and I am happy it is doing well on the local charts across the radio stations and in other countries. People are loving it and it gives me hope they will enjoy the album,” says Roberto who has apart from collaborating with artistes such as Manus, Willy Ginx, Ozzy and Slap Dee has also shown his production strength through the Brothahood Music label where he produced Love You More.

By press time the song was at number one at Breeze FM in Chipata and has remained unbeaten on the QFM Heavy Rotation. It is also on the countdown on Namibia’s Base FM, Uganda’s Kira station as well as Ghana’s YFM. Its video also continues to perform well. And his performance at the Pulse was lively despite recording a lower attendance than usual, and it was ‘Love You More’ that drew repeated requests at a show that was also supported by several upcoming artistes.

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