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.

Chims
Chims

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

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :

Sharing is caring!

Follow us in Twitter
19 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Tragga
8 years ago

Welcome

Lowani
8 years ago

Zilibwino

cosmas
8 years ago

All the best Chims

Asodzi
Asodzi
8 years ago

Ma homie Chimz. .that’s great work! keep the word up..We miss yu boy#letthawordflow. .Asodzi miss you

Pillie
Pillie
8 years ago

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.

Watikonda
Watikonda
8 years ago

great stuff Chims…to God be the glory.

Greem
Greem
8 years ago

That’s the way to go Chims. Please release more songs and keep ministering through Hip Hop. This world needs more Emcees like you.

Bwai
8 years ago

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

ujeni
8 years ago
Reply to  Bwai

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 around boy,kip it up, a journey of thousands miles starts wit a single step,see where it now,it can tell the story
ur the around boy,kip it up, a journey of thousands miles starts wit a single step,see where it now,it can tell the story
8 years ago

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

kudekha
kudekha
8 years ago

Thumbs up

Read previous post:
Interview with the man behind the name VJ Ice

Malawi’s music industry has grown profoundly over the past years, with a lot of new players and a stiff competition...

Close