New Malawi gospel hiphop star in Dublin: Chims
Call it Christian Rap or Gospel Hiphop, this is a music genre that has not been spared from criticism just like its parent, mainstream Rap/Hiphop. Dating back to its beginnings in 1985, many have questioned how one can bring rap into Christian music, as rap and hip-hop are all linked to a secular lifestyle, glorifying anything to do with ‘fast’ life.
But artists in gospel music have defended this by saying that one can really rap for God as Christian Rap or Gospel Hip Hop glorifies nothing else but Jesus; and this is what Dublin- based Malawian artist, Chims is doing.
Chims, real name Chimwemwe Njawala, started singing at an early stage and that passion grew during his days at William Murray Secondary School, by then he was into secular mainstream rap.
Chims says he answered God’s calling by changing his music style to Christian music.
“’It was in 2005 when God convicted me of how much of a sinner I was, and how much he loves me and he wanted me to know him more, it was a call to repentance and by God’s grace, I answered the call.This was the moment I made a transition from doing meaningless music to start using my music as a tool for sharing the word of God to the world,” said Chims.
Chims remembers being part of a Christian rap outfit called Asodzi from Area 18 in Lilongwe and also doing music with the BIC’s; both groups catapulted him into where he is today.
He said‘’these guys did a good job in helping me realizing the potential that God has put in me. I have done music with these amazing friends. Our desire is to use different talents God gave us for his glory.’’
Chims released his debut single and its video,’ Come as You Are’ featuring Ireland based Malawian singer Tamara in December 2014, on YouTube.
He said the feedback so far is overwhelming and encouraging.
“I still ask everyone out there to support this positive music we are doing.We want to challenge young people that we don’t have to live in sin to be respected, we will never find satisfaction in earthly things but true satisfaction is found in Christ and I’m a testimony.’’ said Chims.
The song talks about two fictional characters (Kelah and Joseph) who both went through broken relationships and end up losing their spiritual way and swallowed by fame, but at the end they all seek God.
Chims also revealed that he is part of an up and coming Dublin based Christian rap ministry group called Christ’d Up and currently he is working on his solo music projects.
He remained tight-lipped on whether he will release those music projects as a mixtape, an EP or a full album.
On the Malawian contemporary Christian music scene, Chims salutesDavid Kalilani, Liwu, Gosple, Unique One and Jeremiah Chikhwaza and on the global scene, he is a big fan of Shai Linne and the Lamp Mode Crew.
Music aside, Chims is a final year student doing BSc (Hons) in Computing with Anglia Ruskin University.Watch ‘Come as You Are’ video on this link:http://goo.gl/BWQbTA
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Welcome
Zilibwino
All the best Chims
Ma homie Chimz. .that’s great work! keep the word up..We miss yu boy#letthawordflow. .Asodzi miss you
may God bless u chims, u r doing a good job out there, and am a living testimony that God is really using you. I like your music and am counting doing on yo solo project.
great stuff Chims…to God be the glory.
That’s the way to go Chims. Please release more songs and keep ministering through Hip Hop. This world needs more Emcees like you.
Really,Ujeni? I can’t believe people like you still exist… If your an honest critic , then why hide your Name or show us ur Awesome Gods Project.. If you know others that live in Ireland for such kind of stuff please dont think everyone is the same boat, others are a testimony of the greatness of God and
Are you a joke or you’re joking? why minister in foreign land while your brothers and sisters are yearning for the gospel in your country? Deep down its nothing to do with ministering, if it is why not minister in Nsanje and other flood affected areas and give hope to people. Fake stuff yes going by black Africans out there. Too many pristitutes too in Ireland.
Ur the best around dude,a distance of thousands miles starts wit a single step,kip it up coz u knw better where it goin
Thumbs up
Positive comments don’t kill a Malawi all the best young man and is good to belong and serve the Almighty
Some positive staff to read about young men. Keep it up. Good that u are focused in Christ and education. Just watched ur youtube video….its good
Anglia Ruskins University is in England not Ireland. Is he a joker
@ ujeni, dont show ur ignorance pls, has the article mentioned that anglia ruskin is in ireland?
At the same time u need to realise that these days u can do studies via online with lots of universities across the globe.
Man up and learn to put negative comments off when something positive happens in other peoples lives
Hey you so called Idiot, You cannot claim to study at oxford in England while you claim to be studying at a University in Ireland. The kama Boy is a liar. Let him come clean where is he studying and what is he studying?
That’s what I was wondering too. I know there is Anglia Ruskin in Cambridge England. Do they have a branch in Ireland too?
Awaso ndiye ndani? Just eat mahule aku Malawi kumeneko. it looks like everyone wants to be a singer. This is a joke right? a three year old cant talk, did you say singing?
That’s great Chimz. We, who know u can testify about u. Come back home and release more songs for us.