Sir Paul Banda, born on October 16, 1963, in Balaka, Malawi, is a highly regarded Malawian musician, songwriter, producer, and videographer, often considered the founder of modern Malawian music. His career began in the 1970s when he founded the popular Malawian pop group, the Alleluya Band. A prolific artist in his own right, he has released fourteen solo albums in the Afro-Beat genre. Beyond his own performance and writing, he became a central figure in the Malawian music industry, particularly in the 1990s and early 2000s, as a mentor and music producer. He established Imbirani Yahweh (IY) Studios in Balaka, one of the earliest privately owned music studios in Malawi, transforming the town into a "music mecca." He taught and produced music for numerous artists who became prominent, including his younger brother, the renowned musician Lucius Banda, as well as Paul Chaphuka, Billy Kaunda, Mlaka Maliro, and many others. A major highlight of his production career was the 1996 album "Cease fire" by Lucius Banda, which sold 2 million copies, making it Malawi's highest-selling album of all time. His dedication to music and his foundational role in the industry were recognized in 2023 when he received a lifetime achievement award.