Occupation: Music Artist
Genre: Afro RnB
Email: rudochakwera@yahoo.com
Facebook: Rudo Mkukupa Chakwera
TikTok: Rudo Chakwera
You Tube: Rudo Music
INTRODUCTION
Artist Name: Rudo Mkukupa Chakwera.
Date of birth: 23rd December 1979.
Parents: Isaac Mkukupa (late) and Gloria Rose Mkukupa.
Marital status: Married to Nick Chakwera with three Children.
Occupation: Music Artist
Genre: Afro RnB
Associated Acts: Isaac Mkukupa, Gerard Grant, Maria Chidzanja Nkhoma, Pon G, Jabay and Yesaya Nkhwazi, Anne Matumbi, Nic Thindwa, Hyphen, Asante, Ruth Kulaisi, Marlyn, Dotolo, Gustino Lewis, Sam Mjura Mkandawire, Paul Kachala.
LIFE AND CAREER
Rudo Billie Mkukupa Chakwera simply known as Rudo is a Gospel songbird, songwriter, entrepreneur, and fashion icon who was born on 23rd December 1979 to the late jazz legend and maestro Isaac Mkukupa and Gloria Rose Mkukupa. Rudo was born at Adventist Hospital in Blantyre Malawi.
Rudo is married to a Pastor who is also a Gospel musician Nick Chakwera and have 3 children. Rudo started singing with her father and siblings from a tender age of six and was later discovered by Gerard grant in 1998 at Word Alive formally known as Blantyre Christian Centre. Rudo holds an impeccable music record which started as a solo recording act in 1999 while at University of Malawi-Chancellor College. Her debut album “Forever Faithfull” was released in the year 2000 which includes hit tracks such as “Mwana Wamasiye”. The album was recorded by Gerard Grant at Dimba production in Lilongwe while the video for the smash hit “Mwana Wamasiye” was shot by Mayambo Malewezi. Her recent track titled “You Care” featuring award winning rapper, Francis Hyphen Kaphuka was released on 5th September 2022.
Since the release of her debut album, Rudo has won hearts and mesmerized most Malawians with her angelic voice and unique style of music. Her other albums include “Rudo and the UK family” recorded in United Kingdom in 2004, “Sindingasunthike” recorded in USA in 2007 and “Christmas with love” which is a Christmas carol album recorded in Chichewa language in 2018.
Currently, Rudo is working on two projects “Worship and…”. She has performed on international platforms and festivals including Tumaini Arts and Culture Festival, Jazz Festival, Sand Music Festival, Mibawa Mother’s Day Concert, and many other local arts events. Apart from major festivals and events, Rudo also performed at SADC Heads of State in 2001 with her late dad’s jazz band, USA women of Vital, Women of Distinctions Award at State House (WODA), MADSOC, Theatre Jazz Concert at both USA Embassy and Zimbabwe Embassy. Rudo is also a music judge featured in Malawi’s famous E-Wallet search for a star competition, LCB studios, choir competition, Daughters Competition of Africa, Zathu pa Wailesi, and Chibuku Road to fame at Lilongwe Community Ground.
ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL LIFE
She holds a Master of Business Administration Degree obtained in 2018 from ESAMI, Bachelor of Arts Humanities Degree obtained in 2001 from University of Malawi (Chancellor College) and Malawi School Certificate of Education obtained in 1997.
Rudo is a Vice Secretary General for the board of Musicians Union of Malawi (MUM). From 2009 to 2010, Rudo worked as Music Education Trainer at Music Crossroads Malawi responsible for Development Lessons plans and schemes for students, Teaching Music Theory, developing assessment methods organizing music performances, facilitating vocal and choral workshops, supervising vocational musicians, teachers and their choirs, Training musicians and teachers in managing and running their individual choirs as well as judging musical competitions.
Rudo has also worked as head of marketing department for media houses like Channel for All Nations Radio, PLFM and TV. She was a Board Member for Copyright Society of Malawi (COSOMA) from 2015 to 2018. As a business woman, Rudo owns RC (a musical and entertainment company) established in 1999 as “Touch Entertainment” which is registered as RC with the Registrar of Business under the Malawi Act in June 2022. RC head offices are located at Ngale Arts 428 centre in Area 47 Sector 5 Plot No. 20, Off the African Bible College main road near Zodiak Broadcasting Station. Contact Address P.O. Box 20223, Kawale, Lilongwe, Malawi, Central Africa.
Rudo has interacted with Malawi’s musical heavy weights namely, Lucius Banda, late Wambali Mkandawire and late Maria Chidzanja Nkhoma among others in various musical projects. RC was recently rebranded to captivate and penetrate new dimension of the entertainment industry both locally and internationally. Upon rebranding, RC recruited a Brand Team of professionals which handles Humanitarian and commercial Brand Ambassador services including but not limited to SDG Humanitarian Campaign Awareness (Currently doing a school tour on Mental Health Awareness) promotional songs or short videos messages Billboard Message and Brand Representation image posing Ring Tone formation adverts and jingles among other things.
CHARITY
RC is a Tax registered and complying company. 10% of the company’s revenue from performance shows goes towards paying school fees of street connected kids. As part of RC expansion and development of services, the company established Ngale 428 Arts Centre. The Arts centre has an in-house recording studio where its produces audio music, adverts and provides space for music video recording. The centre assists upcoming musical artists for free. RC aims at impacting the new generation by providing capacity and resources to nurture, develop and produce quality art and artists.
INFLUENCES
– Late Isaac Mkukupa Chakwera (MW)
– Late Wambali Mkandawire (MW)
– Late Maria Chidzanja Nkhoma (MW)
– Late Whitney Houston (USA)
DISCOGRAPHY
1. Forever faithful (1999 in Lilongwe)
2. Rudo and the UK family (2004 UK)
3. Sindingasunthike (2007 USA) Christmas Carols in Chichewa
4. Worship Album
5. Youthful Album
OTHER MUSIC PROJECTS
1. You care featuring Hyphen (2022)
2. Easter Hymns of worship live concert (2022)
3. Matumbi prayer for Malawi (2019)
4. Together in worship online concert (2019)
5. Chiphazi featuring Asante and Dotolo (2017)
6. Sisters with voice-featuring Asante, Ruth, Halen (2017)
7. Mwezi Wawala Airtel Malawi (All-star Song)
8. Tipambana (featuring PON.G and Nic Thindwa)
9. Mama-Mjura, Anne, Mallen (2012)
10. Sungani Mwambo All Stars by Peter Mawangaz
HONORS AND AWARDS
Uzimu Music Lifetime Achievements Award recipient (2019)
