We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Makumbi Muleba. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Makumbi below.

Makumbi, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

BEAMZ: Together We Rise & Shine is one of my current projects that has been the most meaningful. “BEAMZ: Together We Rise & Shine” is an original multimedia storytelling campaign that I recently completed for my MFA degree. The campaign is intended to aid in delivering a sustainable impact to Zambian communities that require their needs to be met and translate them into cohesive storytelling. This is also a way to build unity and a stronger human connection.

The term BEAMZ is my original and personal mantra, which means: “through the light, we all have within us, we can use it to realize, unite and actualize ideas that positively impact humanity while defying the impossible.” This term is something I use to personally connect and inspire my own community in Zambia and beyond borderlines.

The 9-track project focused on the Zambian perspective of daily life experiences, culture, and traditions, and efforts of trying to sustain it, while sonically amplifying authentic African Sounds with a contemporary influence.

I was then selected by SCAD Founder & President Paula Wallace to pursue SCAD’s Atelier Associate program, refining and further building my storytelling for BEAMZ. It was important for me to establish my intention prior to this program. The time constraint for my MFA thesis wasn’t enough to fully bring my music project deliverable to the sort of quality I envisioned it to be. I realized that the Atelier program was the perfect opportunity to make that a reality.

Collaboration was such an important factor in approaching my project, especially because the medium I chose was music. Music at the heart of it is built around collective and collaborative effort.

The essence of my Atelier Associate project is centered around community, hence its title, “BEAMZ: Together We Rise & Shine.” One of my highlights within this process was remotely collaborating with a multitude of music creators from different parts of the world which included the U.S., U.K, Zambia, South Africa, The Bahamas, and many more. I was also able to reconnect with a lot of my SCAD peers (current students and alumni) who also contributed to this project.

I had the honor of working alongside Grammy and Emmy-nominated sound engineer, Rob Kleiner, who served as the mixing and mastering engineer for my entire project. Rob’s credits include Labrinth, The Weeknd, Brittany Spears, Andra Day, Madison Beer, LP, Kylie Minogue, Haley Reinhart, David Guetta, and many others. His regular clients also include Interscope, Universal Music, Warner, Ultra, Atlantic Records, Sony, HBO, Fox, and Netflix. Rob is notably known for being the mixing and mastering sound engineer for HBO’s Emmy winning hit show, Euphoria.

Makumbi, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a Zambian Atlanta-based Imagineering Luminary, who enthusiastically specializes in utilizing the catalytic power of music to deliver sustainable impact to community needs in Zambia and beyond borderlines.

I am focused on cultivating and amplifying Zambia’s latent music industry, providing employment, sustainable development, as well as economy for my fellow Zambians.

Throughout my journey, I have always maintained a high level of curiosity. My passion and strategic utilization of the catalytic power of music allow me to possess a deep appreciation and sensitivity towards people, culture, and value, which has enabled me to be an intentional and impactful storyteller.

My life’s purpose at the forefront of all things is to be a catalyst that helps inspire and amplify the ethos of humanity.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist and “creator” is the process of researching and developing new ideas. I find it incredibly satisfying to delve into the research and exploration phase of a project and see where it takes me. Whether it’s experimenting with new techniques, exploring different mediums, or simply allowing my creativity to flow and see where it leads. It’s such an ethereal sensation to actualize my imagination, I call it translating scripted dreams into live actions.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My creative journey is driven to serve God and his purpose for my life. I was lent these gifts to design in resources for humanity and create prosperity for future generations.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makumbimuleba
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/makumbimuleba
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/makumbimuleba

Image Credits
Xavier Thompson