Composer

:

William Fadhili

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Average_duration

:

5:01

Malaika is a Swahili love song composed by William Fadhili in the early 1960s. The exact date of its composition is not known, but it is believed to have been written in 1960 or 1961. The song became popular in Kenya and Tanzania and was later covered by various artists, including Miriam Makeba, Harry Belafonte, and Angelique Kidjo. The premiere of Malaika is not documented, but it is believed to have been performed by Fadhili himself in small clubs and bars in Nairobi, Kenya. The song's popularity grew quickly, and it soon became a hit in East Africa. Fadhili's version of the song was recorded in 1963 and released on the Kenyan label, Phillips. Malaika has a simple structure and is composed of two verses and a chorus. The song is played in a slow 6/8 time signature and is characterized by its gentle melody and romantic lyrics. The lyrics of the song tell the story of a man who is deeply in love with a woman named Malaika. He sings of his love for her and his desire to be with her forever. The first verse of the song goes: Malaika, nakupenda Malaika Nami nifanyeje, kijana mwenzio Nashindwa na mali sina We, nataka kusema, nakupenda Which translates to: Angel, I love you, Angel And what can I do, my young friend? I am defeated, I have no wealth I just want to say, I love you The chorus of the song is: Malaika, nakupenda Malaika Malaika, nakupenda Malaika Nami nifanyeje, kijana mwenzio Nashindwa na mali sina We, nataka kusema, nakupenda Which translates to: Angel, I love you, Angel Angel, I love you, Angel And what can I do, my young friend? I am defeated, I have no wealth I just want to say, I love you Malaika is a timeless classic that has been covered by many artists over the years. Its popularity has endured, and it remains a beloved song in East Africa and beyond. The song's simple melody and romantic lyrics have made it a favorite for weddings and other romantic occasions.

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