It was in the warm September sun of Zomba in 2020, on my 28th birthday, when this photo was taken. The skies were clear, the air light, and everything about the day felt like it was unfolding exactly as it should. Martse was in Blantyre, staying at Phyzix’s house, and we picked him up outside Phyzix’s place as we set off for Zomba. He stepped into the car wearing a Man United jersey, Phyzix’s of course, and immediately set the tone. “Apa nde chi Phyzo chindipha. Dzulo ndangotenga jersey yake ina. Lero ndangotengaso ina. Koma zake izo. He is my bro,” he laughed.
The journey itself felt like a moving concert. He insisted on playing only his music, track after track, filling the car with his voice, his energy, his presence. What a narcissist, I must say but aren’t we all? By the time we reached Mulunguzi Dam, the day had already become something special. There, we found a group of people who instantly lit up at the sight of him. Without hesitation, we turned up the music and Martse performed right there, raw and unfiltered. The crowd went wild, drawn into the moment like it was a stage meant just for him.
Then, in a split second, the mood shifted. One guy tried to get too close, reaching out to touch him, and Martse snapped mid performance. “Aise ine ndi Martse, sungandigwire chonchi. Unayamba wakhalako close ndi celeb chonchi iweyo?” he said sharply. And just like that, he stopped rapping. No warning, no buildup, just a sudden, unmistakable line drawn. That was him. Unpredictable, unapologetic, real.
Later, as the sun softened and the day began to settle, we took a picture, this very one. He posted it on his Facebook page and told his fans to follow me. At the time, I was nobody in the public eye. One fan questioned it, commenting, “Tiwapange follow ngati ndani iwowa? Amapanga chani?”
Martse didn’t hesitate. “Mesa ndakuuza ndine? Just follow.”
Simple. Direct. That was his way, he didn’t explain himself twice.
Looking back, it wasn’t just a birthday, or a trip, or even a photo. It was a glimpse into who Martse was in his purest form, charismatic, unpredictable, and larger than life. What a character he was. Continue resting in peace Martse!
Remembering Martse who died four years ago this month✨
What do you remember him for?