By Ireen Kayira
Afro-fusion musician Matt Alegeo has poured his heart and soul into his latest single, “Waiting”, a poignant tribute to his father, George D. Mphande, who passed away when Matt was just two years old.
In an emotional interview, Matt revealed that the song is a personal dedication to his father, whom he never got to know.
“I didn’t get a chance to know my father, and it feels like I never knew him. Sometimes, the feeling of not having a father hits me, and I start crying,” he said, choking back tears.
The song’s theme centers around loss, longing, healing, and acceptance, with a fusion of traditional, afro-beats, and urban rhythms.
Matt’s emotional lyrics convey the pain of growing up without a father figure, with the pre-chorus written during a tearful moment.
“I was just too little to lose my father, and there’s pretty much nothing I can remember. All I have is a picture that I hold on to give me hope, but I wish you were here to give a hand,” he sings, his voice cracking with emotion.
Matt believes that his father’s spirit and love live on through him, and he hopes to have made him proud.
“I have a feeling he was a good father, and that I carry his spirit and love. I believe he is my guiding light in the skies, and I hope I’ve made him proud for the man I’ve become,” he said.
The song was recorded and produced by Matt Alegeo at Chamampha Recording Studios and mixed by Praise Umali at Manifest.
Matt has a message for those who have lost their fathers at a young age: “Losing a father at a young age can be incredibly difficult and can leave someone feeling a sense of longing and emptiness. It’s important to recognize and accept your feelings of loss, sadness, and longing.”
He encourages those who are grieving to seek support from loved ones and to find healthy ways to cope, such as writing, art, or exercise.
“Healing is a personal journey, and everyone manages loss differently. Find healthy ways to cope that work for you,” he advised.
“Waiting” will be available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music, and Boomplay.
Matt promises his fans that they can expect a very good piece, and he hints that there is more to come.
