Ritaa
Ritaa | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Rita Kalonga |
Born | Blantyre, Malawi | 16 August 1995
Genres | Afro pop, R&B, dancehall |
Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
Instruments | Vocals |
Years active | 2013–present |
Labels | Independent |
Associated acts |
|
Website | officialritaa |
Rita Kalonga (born 16 August 1995), known professionally by her stage name Ritaa, is a Malawian musician, singer, songwriter and feminist.
Life and career[]
Based in Malawi's commercial city, Blantyre, Ritaa's breakthrough came in 2016 after releasing "Chapatali". The song features one of Malawi's pop stars, Dan Lu. The song peaked at number 1 on local charts,.[1][2][3] Ritaa has worked with producers like BFB who used to produce for HHP and Blasto and has shared a stage with Tay Grin and co-headlined Carlsberg Malawi urban music bash. Ritaa draws her inspiration from the likes of Rihanna, Beyonce and the late Whitney Houston. She fuses Afro-pop, R&B, dancehall, and pop.
Legacy[]
Chapatali is the first song by a female artist to chart on number 1 in Malawi Music top 100 and Weekly Malawi Music Top 20 chart by malawi-music.com. It remains the only song by a Malawian female artist to register over a hundred thousand downloads and half a million online streams on Malawi Music official website. In 2016, she also made history when she became the first Malawian female musician to have three songs at number 1 in the top 100 Malawi Music chart.[4][5]
Feminism and women's rights[]
Ritaa has been described as a feminist in the Malawi music industry. She has openly challenged patriarchy and championed for the rights of women in the country including freedom of dressing for women and girls in a country that is predominately patriarchy. Local news reports show that she has been accused of indecency and promoting pornography through her music and provocative dressing.[6]
See also[]
- Music of Malawi
References[]
- ^ "Ritaa overthrows Gwamba". Malawi24.
- ^ "Rise of Ritaa with Chapatali song featuring Dan Lu". Retrieved 23 April 2020.
- ^ "Winners and losers in 2017 Nyasa Music Awards". Retrieved 23 April 2020.
- ^ "Malawi Songstress Ritaa Madly Love, Releases Winner/". Nyasa Times. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
- ^ "Malawi musician Ritaa dares Rihanna: Releases 'Down Down'". Retrieved 23 April 2020.
- ^ "Fans mad at musician Ritaa for 'indecent' dressing". Retrieved 23 April 2020.
External links[]
- 1995 births
- Living people
- 21st-century Malawian women singers
- Feminist musicians