{{Short description|Malawian artist}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Malinga Mafia | birth_name = Chiku Malinga Chitsundi Banda | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1994|07|17}} | birth_place = Lilongwe, Malawi | genre = Dancehall | occupation = Musician<br> songwriter | years_active = 2000–present | spouse = | partner = None }}
'''Chiku Malinga Chitsundi Banda''' (born August 17, 1994), best known as '''Malinga Mafia''''','' is a Malawian dancehall artist and songwriter.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mughogho |first=Lyonike |date=2016-11-09 |title=Malinga finally speaks on his relationship with Sangie Malawi 24 {{!}} Latest News from Malawi |url=https://malawi24.com/2016/11/09/malinga-finally-speaks-relationship-sangie/ |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=Malawi 24 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mughogho |first=Lyonike |date=2020-11-11 |title=Malinga raring to respond to five-year-old diss Malawi 24 {{!}} Latest News from Malawi |url=https://malawi24.com/2020/11/11/malinga-raring-to-respond-to-five-year-old-diss/ |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=Malawi 24 |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2018, he won a Nyasa Music Award as Best Dancehall artist of the year.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Mughogho |first=Lyonike |date=2018-05-05 |title=Purple C, Tay Grin share best video award Malawi 24 {{!}} Latest News from Malawi |url=https://malawi24.com/2018/05/05/purple-c-tay-grin-share-best-video-award/ |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=Malawi 24 |language=en-US}}</ref> His collaboration with Hyphen titled ''Tsidya lina'' (other coast) won the Best collaboration of the year 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mughogho |first=Lyonike |date=2018-03-23 |title=No online, print recognition in 2018 Nyasa Music Awards Malawi 24 {{!}} Latest News from Malawi |url=https://malawi24.com/2018/03/23/no-online-print-recognition-in-2018-nyasa-music-awards/ |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=Malawi 24 |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2017, he won the Best Music Video in Nyasa Music Awards. In 2016, he was awarded a UMP Award for Album of the Year as well as Best Reggae/Dancehall Act in years 2017 and 2018.<ref name=":1" />
== Background ==
=== Early life === Banda was born on 17 August 1994, in Lilongwe in a family of 6 children. He did his primary school education in three schools namely, Mphanje Private Primary School, Chidothi CCAP Primary School and Chimutu L.E.A. He did his secondary school at Mkwichi Secondary in Dowa. He obtained a Diploma in IT (Software Programming and Web Design) from National College of Information Technology (Malawi).<ref name=":2" />
== Music career == Banda started music when he was still in primary at Chidothi CCAP Primary School, under influence of his brothers Yung Degree and Kinton who were also Dancehall. He recorded his first single "Bwera" (come) in 2008 when he was at Dowa Secondary school. In 2010, he joined Mabilinganya Empire after being recruited by its founder member, Black Sta.
Banda was in the Mabilinganya Empire for two years (from 2010 to 2013). He has worked with different artists such Gwamba and Fredokiss, among others.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Jahmiel hints at collaborating with Malinga Mafia |url=https://ground.news/article/jahmiel-hints-at-collaborating-with-malinga-mafia |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=Ground News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mughogho |first=Lyonike |date=2016-02-29 |title=Malinga Mafia, Fredokiss on wanted list Malawi 24 {{!}} Latest News from Malawi |url=https://malawi24.com/2016/02/29/malinga-mafia-on-wanted-list/ |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=Malawi 24 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mughogho |first=Lyonike |date=2016-11-01 |title=Martse, Malinga Mafia fire grenades Malawi 24 {{!}} Latest News from Malawi |url=https://malawi24.com/2016/11/01/martse-malinga-mafia-fire-grenades/ |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=Malawi 24 |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Controversies == The remix of Banda titled 'Levels Remix' featuring Fredokiss, Martse, Malcelba and others stared debate and criticism as its lyrics were mixed with illuminate views.<ref>https://malawi24.com/2016/05/25/explaing-levels-remix-illuminati-part-will-shock/</ref>
== Achievements ==
=== Nyasa Music Awards === Source:<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mughogho |first=Lyonike |date=2018-03-23 |title=No online, print recognition in 2018 Nyasa Music Awards Malawi 24 {{!}} Latest News from Malawi |url=https://malawi24.com/2018/03/23/no-online-print-recognition-in-2018-nyasa-music-awards/ |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=Malawi 24 |language=en-US}}</ref> {{Awards table}} |- |2018 |Himself | Best Dancehall artist of the year |{{won}} |- |2018 |Tsidya lina – Hyphen ft Malinga Mafia |Best collaboration of the year |{{won}} {{end}}
=== UMP Awards === Source:<ref name=":1">https://yaamalawi.wordpress.com/2016/10/09/ump-awards-nominees-announced-gwamba-tay-grin-tie-with-4-ump-awards-nominations/</ref> {{Awards table}} |- |2016 |Himself | Best Dancehall Artist |{{nominated}} |- |2016 |Levels remix- Malinga featuring Various artists |Video of the Year |{{nominated}} |- |2016 |Himself |Artist of the Year |{{nominated}} |- |2016 |Levels Remix- Malinga Mafia featuring Various Artists |Song of the Year |{{nominated}} |- |2016 |Flawless Heart- Malinga Mafia |Album of the Year |{{nominated}} |- |2016 |Himself | Best Dancehall Artist |{{nominated}} |- |2016 |Himself | Best Dancehall Artist |{{nominated}} {{end}}
== See also == * Fredokiss (musician)
== References == {{reflist}}
{{Portal bar|Africa|Biography|Music|Malawi}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mafia, Malinga}} Category:Living people Category:Malawian rappers Category:1994 births Category:Musicians from Lilongwe Category:Musicians from Blantyre Category:21st-century Malawian singers Category:Malawian reggae singers Category:Malawian hip-hop singers Category:The UMP Awards winners Category:Malawian singer-songwriters Category:21st-century rappers