About Masauko
Masauko is a Malawian-American singer-songwriter born in Los Angeles while his parents were in political exile from Malawi. Performing with acoustic guitar and voice, his music blends Southern African traditions with jazz, folk, funk, hip-hop, and reggae. As a live performer, Masauko uses call and response to create an atmosphere that feels more like a ritual than a concert, whether performing solo or with a full band.
In 1997 he moved to South Africa and co-founded the acclaimed acoustic duo Blk Sonshine with Neo Muyanga. In 2005 he performed solo at Carnegie Hall for the Dindinyaa Fall Family Concert and appeared with Blk Sonshine at the 46664 Concert Series founded by Nelson Mandela. The duo later performed during the 2010 FIFA World Cup and appeared on the Putumayo Presents South Africa release.
Highlights from his international career include performing at the Limón Roots Festival at the National Theatre of Costa Rica in 2014 and for the 25th anniversary of South Africa’s democracy hosted by Shared Interest in 2019 alongside guests including Bill de Blasio, John Kani, and Danny Glover.
Masauko discovered permaculture while working with Come to Life Music in 2019, leading to his Permaculture and Music initiative supporting regenerative farming and water access in Malawi. Recent performances include Concerts Against Racism in Costa Rica and Brazil (2023), the Environmental Justice for All Earth Day celebration with the United Nations Association of Pasadena (2024), and benefit concerts in 2025 supporting Water Wells for Africa and RiseUp Malawi.
Music
Songs from the Masauko album written by Masauko with Mongezi Ntaka (full band sound).
Ngoma Zethu Ft. Masauko- Ndikonda Mawa (acoustic sound)
Video
Ilala from the Masauko album live (solo acoustic).
Building by Masauko with Blk Sonshine
Permaculture and Music
Masauko’s work sits at the intersection of music, environmental justice, and community self-reliance. Through his initiative Permaculture and Music, he uses concerts and storytelling to raise awareness about regenerative farming, water access, and climate resilience in rural Malawi.
The project works in partnership with Women’s Initiative Network Malawi, founded by his mother Catherine Ajizinga Chipembere, supporting permaculture training for farmers in Mangochi with educator Luwayo Biswick of the Permaculture Paradise Institute. These trainings help rural communities adapt to cycles of drought and flooding while strengthening local food systems.
In recent years Masauko has expanded this work internationally, performing concerts that support organizations working toward similar goals, including Water Wells for Africa and RiseUp Malawi. Whether on stage or in the field, Masauko approaches music as a tool for education, solidarity, and practical change.
The video below highlights the work being done on the ground in Mangochi through WIN Malawi and Permaculture and Music.
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EPK
Masauko — Malawian-American singer-songwriter blending Southern African roots music with activism for regenerative farming and water access in Malawi.
Live Performance
Masauko performing live using acoustic guitar and call-and-response vocals that turn the audience into participants, creating an atmosphere that feels closer to a ritual than a concert.
For fans of
Vusi Mahlasela •
Richie Havens •
Tracy Chapman •
Gil Scott-Heron •
Salif Keita •
Hugh Masekela •
Michael Kiwanuka •
Cleo Sol•
About Masauko
Masauko is a Malawian-American singer-songwriter born in Los Angeles while his parents were in political exile from Malawi. Performing with acoustic guitar and voice, his music blends Southern African traditions with jazz, folk, funk, hip-hop, and reggae. As a live performer, Masauko uses call and response to create an atmosphere that feels more like a ritual than a concert, whether performing solo or with a full band.
In 1997 he moved to South Africa and co-founded the acclaimed acoustic duo Blk Sonshine with Neo Muyanga. In 2005 he performed solo at Carnegie Hall for the Dindinyaa Fall Family Concert and appeared with Blk Sonshine at the 46664 Concert Series founded by Nelson Mandela. The duo later performed during the 2010 FIFA World Cup and appeared on the Putumayo Presents South Africa release.
Highlights from his international career include performing at the Limón Roots Festival at the National Theatre of Costa Rica in 2014 and for the 25th anniversary of South Africa’s democracy hosted by Shared Interest in 2019 alongside guests including Bill de Blasio, John Kani, and Danny Glover.
Masauko discovered permaculture while working with Come to Life Music in 2019, leading to his Permaculture and Music initiative supporting regenerative farming and water access in Malawi. Recent performances include Concerts Against Racism in Costa Rica and Brazil (2023), the Environmental Justice for All Earth Day celebration with the United Nations Association of Pasadena (2024), and benefit concerts in 2025 supporting Water Wells for Africa and RiseUp Malawi.
Highlights
• 2026 – Supporting construction of a solar-powered borehole and water system in Talia Village, Mangochi (Malawi) through the Permaculture and Music initiative.
• 2025 – Benefit concerts in Denver with RiseUp Malawi and in Los Angeles with Water Wells for Africa supporting clean water access and regenerative farming projects in rural Malawi.
• 2024 – Featured performer at Environmental Justice for All: An Earth Day Celebration with the United Nations Association of Pasadena.
• 2023 – Performs at Concerts Against Racism in Costa Rica and Brazil in collaboration with initiatives connected to Epsy Campbell Barr, former Vice President of Costa Rica.
• 2020 – Recipient of the USArtists International Touring Grant from the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation; MASAUKO album named one of Avotcja’s Top 21 Albums on KPOO-FM and KPFA-FM.
• 2019 – Releases the album MASAUKO, recorded in Cape Town with musicians from Malawi and South Africa and supported by Guayaki Yerba Mate; performs at the Shared Interest 25th Anniversary Gala in New York with guests including Bill de Blasio, Danny Glover, and John Kani.
• 2014 – Performs at the Limon Roots Festival at the National Theatre of Costa Rica.
• 2010 – With Blk Sonshine performs during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and appears on the Putumayo Presents South Africa compilation.
• 2005 – Performs solo at Carnegie Hall for the Dindinyaa Fall Family Concert and appears with Blk Sonshine at the Nelson Mandela 46664 Concert Series.
Selected shared stage with:
Stevie Wonder •
Joan Baez •
Gil Scott-Heron •
Mary J. Blige •
India Arie •
Queen •
Digable Planets •
Hugh Masekela •
Ernest Ranglin •
Susana Baca •
Ismael Lo
Artists Story
Masauko Chipembere's first solo album is a remarkable achievement and a timely musical reminder of the circular nature of pan- Africanist consciousness.
Sean Jacobs
His captivating music combines his African background and American music as well.
Angel Romero
Interviews and press: