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The Very Best take on the Malawian government in their latest video for "Yoshua Alikuti" (watch below). In our exclusive interview with Johan Hugo and Esau Mwamwaya, they describe how the late president's policies devastated the livlihoods of many Malawians. When Esau and Johan couldn't get fuel for their car during the recording of their forthcoming album in Lilongwe, Esau decided it was time to, as Fela would say, use music as his weapon. In this behind-the-scenes look, we watch the band strut the streets of one of Nairobi's most dangerous slums - entertaining the local population and making friends with goats.
What has The Very Best been up to lately?
Johan: Well! We're suuupeerrr excited to have "Yoshua Alikuti" out finally. Even though we had the Super Mom Mixtape last year, that felt more like something we put out to buy more time to finish the album, and it was the right choice. What came out of the Malawi sessions last September really changed and solidified the new album's sound. We've been very lucky to meet Village Beat who directed the first 3 videos for us in Kenya which was an amazing experience. That 1 week felt like 1 year. Most intense week of my life I think. We also brought Seye Adelekan with us cause he's on the next single, and he co-wrote and played guitar on parts of the new album. It's been amazing working with him on his record too. It's just been really nice to see the ball rolling again and to see the amazing feedback on "Yoshua Alikuti." I really didn't know what people would make of it, but it seems people like it so that's great news!
Last time you spoke with Okayplayer's Eddie Stats, you talked about finding the 'new sound' of TVB. How has your sound changed on the new records—and do you think "Yoshua Alikuti" exemplifies that new sound?
Johan: Maybe it's still a little bit early to reveal too much about the new album =) , but I guess "Yoshua Alikuti" is a good starting point. There's so many different vibes on the new album I hope it will feel like a journey listening to it. It's true what I said in last Ghetto Palms interview about it being a bit more dancey and darker, I think you can hear that from Yoshua already… some of the people we worked with are probably not expected either. I know its official about Amadou & Mariam, Baaba Maal, K'naan, Seye Adelekan, etc. Some of the co-writers of album are more surprising… but I can't say who they are yet hahaha!
>>>HEAD TO OKAYAFRICA FOR BEHIND THE SCENES VIDEO, PICTURES AND THE FULL INTERVIEW
