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. Through call and response, his live shows feel more like a ritual than a concert.
In 1997, he moved to South Africa and co-founded the acclaimed duo Blk Sonshine with Neo Muyanga. In 1999, the group performed with Stevie Wonder and Hugh Masekela at Artists for a New South Africa, hosted by Desmond Tutu in Los Angeles.
In 2005, Blk Sonshine was invited by Nelson Mandela to perform at the 46664 Concert in George, South Africa, sharing the stage with Queen, India Arie, and Annie Lennox. That same year, Masauko performed “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika” solo at Carnegie Hall.
The duo later performed during the 2010 FIFA World Cup and appeared on Putumayo Presents South Africa. International highlights include the Limón Roots Festival in Costa Rica (2014) and the 25th anniversary of South Africa’s democracy (2019), alongside figures such as Kumi Naidoo, John Kani and Danny Glover in New York.
Alongside his music, Masauko works at the intersection of art and ecology. Since 2019, his Permaculture and Music initiative has supported regenerative farming and water access in Malawi. Recent performances include Concerts Against Racism in Costa Rica and Brazil (2023), Earth Day with the United Nations Association of Pasadena (2024), and benefit concerts in 2025 supporting Water Wells for Africa and RiseUp Malawi. He is currently on tour in South Africa and Malawi.