Masauko

Masauko was born and raised in Los Angeles while his parents were in exile from Malawi Africa. His music is a bridge between his African past and his American present. He started singing in a barber shop quartet at age 7 performing in various schools and at competitions. By 14 he had chosen music as his path for this lifetime. He became a songwriter. He traveled to Africa for the first time in 1996 passing through Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and ending up in South Africa where he met Neo Muyanga and formed the group Blk Sonshine. Blk Sonshine went on to becoming one of South Africa's favorite groups with two major hits including "Building". Masauko has performed with: Digable Planets, Mary J. Blige, Dead Prez, Omar,Stevie Wonder, Hugh Masekela, Joan Baez, Joan Armatradding, Stanley Jordon, Ronny Jordan, Jimmy Dludlu,Talib Kweli, KC and Jojo,Black Thought, Jeru Da Damaga, The Coup, Ernest Ranglin, Ishmael Lo, Chiek Lo, Ray Phiri and Stimela, Busi Mhlongo, Queen, Johnny Clegg, Take 6, Smiff and Wesson, Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson, Dwight Tribble, Eugene McDaniels, Dialated Peoples,Susana Baca, Saul Williams and more. He has had the pleasure of recording with the RZA of WuTang for Tekitha's project and has produced tracks for the Lady Bug Mecca solo CD Tripping the Light Fantastic. He is currently finishing his first solo CD that features Brian Jackson (of the Gil Scott-Heron Band), Mongezi Ntaka (former Lucky Dube guitarist), Leon Mobley (percussionist for Ben Harper)and the Delic who are one of the hottest young rhythm sections in Brooklyn.