Matafale rose to fame and became one of Malawi's favourite musicians by 2000 through the release of his debut album, Kuimba 1, in 1999 with Wailing Brothers Band.

[2] He later disappeared from the public scene as he was diagnosed with tuberculosis and forced to cut his dreadlocks in order to get medical treatment.

Matafale blended his music with a more serious political message with their Rasta philosophy and words of peace, love, and unity in Malawi.

Prior to his arrest he had written a series of letters to President Bakili Muluzi denouncing his government's policies.

[2] In the letters he wrote he denounced the president's preferential treatment of Muslims and Asian traders and accused him of exploiting ordinary Malawians.

[2] It is estimated that more than 10,000 descended to the town of Chileka near Blantyre for his funeral,[2] though it was dreadlocked members of the Rastafarian community in Malawi that dominated the ceremony, turning it into a celebration of his life.