{{Short description|Malawian artist}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Dan Lu | birth_name = Dan Lufani | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1987|07|26}} | birth_place = Mangochi, Malawi | genre = Afrobeat | occupation = Musician<br> songwriter | years_active = 2000–present | spouse = | partner = }}
'''Dan Lufani''' (born July 1, 1987), best known as '''''Dan Lu''','' and sometimes written as '''''Dan Lufan''''', is a Malawian Afro-pop singer and songwriter.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Nzangaya |first=Archangel |date=2023-10-19 |title=‘Imfa' has made me K15m in one week, says Dan Lu Malawi 24 {{!}} Latest News from Malawi |url=https://malawi24.com/2023/10/19/imfa-has-made-me-k15m-in-one-week-says-dan-lu/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=Malawi 24 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-05-26 |title=Dan Lu set to launch ‘sweet banana’ in South Africa - Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi |url=https://www.nyasatimes.com/dan-lu-set-launch-sweet-banana-south-africa/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=www.nyasatimes.com |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-04-08 |title=Zani, Dan Lu, Tay Grin dominate nominations in Nyasa Music Awards - Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi |url=https://www.nyasatimes.com/zain-dan-lu-tay-grin-dominate-nominations-nyasa-music-awards/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=www.nyasatimes.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> In 2011, he was awarded as best Afro pop artist of the year in Malawi Music Awards. In 2016, he was nominated in best R&B/Afro-pop Act along with other artists such as Theo Thomson and Kell Kay.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dumbula |first=Joseph |date=2016-10-09 |title=2016 UMP Awards: Nominees line up complete: Tay Grin and Gwamba bag four nominations Malawi 24 {{!}} Latest News from Malawi |url=https://malawi24.com/2016/10/09/2016-ump-awards-nominees-line-up-complete-tay-grin-and-gwamba-bag-four-nominations/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=Malawi 24 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Dan Lu {{!}} HDS Entertainment |url=https://hdsentertainment.co.za/dan-lu/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=hdsentertainment.co.za |language=en-ZA}}</ref>
In 2023, Lufani's single ''Imfa'' (death) surpassed over K15 million (Malawian Kwacha) in one week.<ref name=":0" /> Lufani has recorded four albums namely Khaze (cousin), Shupie, So What and No Size.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-07-12 |title=‘So what’ artist Dan Lu announces engagement plans - Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi |url=https://www.nyasatimes.com/so-what-artist-dan-lu-announces-engagement-plans/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=www.nyasatimes.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> Lufani has collaborated with different artists in Africa such K-Millan from Zambia, Dizzy Don from Zimbabwe, Kcee from Nigeria, Nameless from Kenya and Bongani Fassie, the son of the late Blenda Fassie from South Africa.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-10-09 |title=Malawian Star Set to Break Into Nigerian Music Scene |url=https://allafrica.com/view/group/main/main/id/00039204.html |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=allAfrica.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>https://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/10/malawian-pop-star-dan-lufani-kcee-plan-collabo/</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mughogho |first=Lyonike |date=2017-08-08 |title=Revealed: South African artist recorded with Dan Lu, Kcee before his death Malawi 24 {{!}} Latest News from Malawi |url=https://malawi24.com/2017/08/08/revealed-south-african-artist-recorded-dan-lu-kcee-death/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=Malawi 24 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=SENSE {{!}} |first=WE TALK |date=2022-12-07 |title=NEW KID ON THE BLOCK! Malawian artist Dan Lufani roots for Ugandan audience with music tour |url=https://redpepper.co.ug/new-kid-on-the-block-malawian-artist-dan-lufani-roots-for-ugandan-audience-with-music-tour/126870/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=ONLINE |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Seleme |first=Rae |date=2021-10-14 |title=Simphiwe Ngema scores a feature with a Malawian artist |url=https://www.thesouthafrican.com/lifestyle/celeb-news/africa-has-money-simphiwe-ngema-scores-an-international-gig/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=The South African |language=en-ZA}}</ref>
== Background ==
=== Early life === Lufani was born on July 1, 1987, in Mangochi District as the fifth son in a family of eight children. Lufani's father is a pastor of the Baptist church in Malawi. He did his Secondary School education at Mangochi Secondary School in Mangochi.<ref name=":0" />
== Music career == Lufani started singing in 2000s and gained national recognition after he released his first studio album titled Shupie. He was the band leader of Malawi's renowned band, Zembani Music Company, before founding his own band called Rockers band.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-11-01 |title=Dan Lu finds new love, launches album December 5 - Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi |url=https://www.nyasatimes.com/dan-lu-finds-new-love-launches-album-december-5/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=www.nyasatimes.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>
== Criticism and controversies == In 2023, the Department of Arts in Malawi told Lufani to change the lyrics of ‘Take My Body’ as it was under a wide criticism over sexual language.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nzangaya |first=Archangel |date=2023-02-24 |title=Dan Lu watokosola aMalawi ndi nyimbo yotukwana Malawi 24 {{!}} Latest News from Malawi |url=https://malawi24.com/2023/02/24/dan-lu-watokosola-amalawi-ndi-nyimbo-yotukwana/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=Malawi 24 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nzangaya |first=Archangel |date=2023-03-01 |title=Dan Lu told to modify ’Take my body’ song as producer Tapps apologises Malawi 24 {{!}} Latest News from Malawi |url=https://malawi24.com/2023/03/01/dan-lu-told-to-modify-take-my-body-song-as-producer-tapps-apologises/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=Malawi 24 |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2016, Lufani was at loggerheads with his South African-based promoter Sisqo who accused him of breaking contact agreements that he signed under Sisqo Entertainment.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mandala |first=Patience |date=2016-10-16 |title=Dan Lu in contract wrangle with South African promoter Malawi 24 {{!}} Latest News from Malawi |url=https://malawi24.com/2016/10/16/dan-lu-contract-wrangle-south-african-promoter/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=Malawi 24 |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2017, Lufani was beaten up by taxi drivers in Blantyre after he forcefully parked his car on already occupied parking lot.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mkandawire |first=Mwayi |date=2017-01-23 |title=Dan Lu beaten in Chilobwe Malawi 24 {{!}} Latest News from Malawi |url=https://malawi24.com/2017/01/23/dan-lu-beaten-chilobwe/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=Malawi 24 |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Personal life == Lufani is married to Katerina Nzima.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mughogho |first=Lyonike |date=2020-01-29 |title=Not only Tay Grin can afford a BMW: Dan Lu buys it for his new bae Malawi 24 {{!}} Latest News from Malawi |url=https://malawi24.com/2020/01/29/not-only-tay-grin-can-afford-a-bmw-dan-lu-buys-it-for-his-new-bae/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=Malawi 24 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kondowe |first=Russell |date=2023-05-07 |title=I am sorry! Dan Lu apologizes to wife Malawi 24 {{!}} Latest News from Malawi |url=https://malawi24.com/2023/05/07/i-am-sorry-dan-lu-apologizes-to-wife/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=Malawi 24 |language=en-US}}</ref>
== See also == * Sangie
== References == {{reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Lu, Dan}} Category:Living people Category:Malawian singers Category:1987 births Category:21st-century Malawian male singers Category:Malawian male singer-songwriters Category:Musicians from Lilongwe Category:Malawian male pop singers Category:Malawian hip-hop singers Category:The UMP Awards winners Category:Afrobeats musicians Category:Malawian singer-songwriters