By our reporter
Whoever said music has the power to move you, did
not lie. I recently got to hear a gospel house track called “Ombani
Manja” and was quite taken by it. It was not the typical gospel sound
that you have grown to associate Sunday radio with but it was fresh,
hype and inspired. Afrocentric magazine met DJ Kali, a 21 year old
gospel house sensation from Lilongwe to find out what he was about.
Who is Deejay Kali?
I am just a
guy who loves God so much, the first born in family of three. Deejay
Kali is creative and motivated not by selfish things but because of the
love I have for God. I am a team player, who likes being around people
and places touched by God and I believe in the greater cause. People
often joke that I am the disciple of Jesus, ‘dj’ (he laughs).
What inspired you to be Deejay?
Way back, when I was 9 or 10 years old, I used to listen to P Diddy. I
remember writing his lyrics, trying to flow like BIG, you know back in
the day. I was also in church choirs, sometimes I used to get together
with friends and we would free style, rhyme and beat box. I later got
into Chart rock, the Real Elements, and Dynamike. So, all these
influences are what give you Deejay Kali today. I believe that I have
the God given talent and passion for music and so it comes naturally
that I end up in music. Growing up I listened to a lot of music;
kwaito, hip hop, reggae, dancehall and pop, I guess I am motivated by
sound. I have also been influenced by people in music production that I
hang out with.
Why gospel house music?
It’s
amazing really, my friend Gani who had heard my beats; called me one
day after he had heard DJ Cleo’s Amazing Grace; which was something
similar to what I had been doing, and by watching how people had
enjoyed the song, he convinced me that it was something worth doing.
So, from that time on, it’s what I have been doing. I also realized
that I had something that God could use to spread the gospel and to
influence people’s daily lives. I find that house music is relevant to
young people and it has an element of freedom. Freedom, in the way you
dance it and in the way you express it. It is an identity of freedom.
It communicates a lot and people of different age groups can relate to
it. For me, it is a gift, a tool God has given me to reach out.
How do you think your music been received?
Honestly, it is tough out there, but I thank God for everyone who
listened to my music. I am grateful for the words of encouragement and
just thankful for people who support me. I am the first to have
ventured into the genre of gospel house and it’s been a challenge to
break ground but I have been amazed by people’s response. I have been
invited to churches and youth groups and my music is now played in
Kenya and Zambia. So with God, anything is possible.
Do you think music can be used as a tool for ministry?
Amen, I think 100% because people relate to music. Most people in
Malawi communicate through music and as the bible says “I am not
ashamed of the gospel because it is the powerful reservation of man.” I
think when you take the vehicle of music and put in gospel, it’s
effective in that it can reach a lot of people that you didn’t believe
it would. Like I said before my music is now heard in Zambia and Kenya
and if I had gone door to door, talking about my music, I would not
have gone very far but by the grace of God my music is out there. Music
is the most relevant tool of reaching out when it comes to ministry.
Is there an album out?
Yes and it is called House of Worship Vol. 1. The album is available in from all Word Alive shops, www.heartcoremusic.com for free downloads and we are also working with BP Fuel stations for distribution.
What is the future for Dee jay Kali?
I am currently working on a mix tape called “1 God 1 family.” It is a
great project with a lot of awesome collaborations, my purpose is to
reach out to the young person and give them good, clean and positive
entertainment. It drops late January so keep and ear out!
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