Presidential Advisor on Youth and Arts Lucius Banda has expressed shock over the death of well-known hip-hop star Martse, real name Martin Nkhata.

Martse died on Monday morning at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Blantyre after nursing wounds following fire that gutted a house he was in while in Mangochi.

Speaking in an interview with the press Banda described the passing on of Martse as untimely and a blow to the growth of the music industry.

Banda has since urged other artists in the country to emulate Martse’s talent.

The hip hop artist shot to fame with his track ‘Mwano.’

Meanwhile, funeral details are still sketchy.