By Tendy Kay

Blessed and lyrically amazing is ‘Tha GOSPLE’ also known as Aubrey Mvula. He is one MC that has represented for his ministry for over 13 years and has had an impact on Malawian hip hop, managing to touch base with both secular and gospel audiences. As we await the release of “Time Such As This” Afrocentric gives you the 411 with Gosple.

You have described yourself as a ‘saved sinner’ but who is G.O.S.P.L.E the hip hop artist?
Well, not much different to that but when you look at the music name, it explains it all. G.O.S.P.L.E. is an acronym and it stands for God’s Own Servant Presenting Lyrical Evangelism. I am about making music to bring people to the realization that God is real despite what people or the culture says. It just works to God’s advantage that the beats are banging too (he laughs).

The new album is titled “Times Such As This” what inspired this title?

It’s taken straight from the scripture from the book of Esther chapter 4 to be specific when Mordecai was telling Esther that she has been called by God for ‘a time such as this.’ I believe the same for every missionary of God’s word. God’s calculations and placing me in this day is no mistake. I truly believe that He has placed me in this mission for a reason and that reason is to be fulfilled at a time such as this. No generation earlier or later.

Being part of such an expressive genre (hip hop), what do you think is wrong with Malawian hip hop today?

My problem is not with Malawian hip hop specifically but hip hop as a whole. In a time when it’s popular and “cool” to brag about what you have or what you do, I truly believe we need the last real MCs who want to address real issues. I have respect for all artists but the truth is that some of this music is just plain rubbish. Like I listen to joints like that 50 cent song (have a baby by me blah blah blah), is that all he wants? That’s it? I know I sound too harsh but that’s how the mind is shaped. The culture is product of the contemporary environment. Unfortunately, the same applies to local hip hop music. To put it simply, I believe that God’s music is the only music that can change the problems we have today simply because God himself is allowed to be in control.

As a gospel artist who also has a secular following, what are the challenges of pleasing your audience?

A true artist will never go out there and try to please the audience, that’s the job of an entertainer or these superstars. One of my favourite artists (Trip Lee) said “If you’re looking for a superstar, I’m not the one you’re looking for”. I don’t go out there to please the crowd. There have been times when I been on stage and people didn’t like it one bit. But I never changed my stand and I never changed my method or my content. I will maintain being what God says I should. I expect that not all crowds will enjoy what I have to say. It’s such an honor though that, as you have put it “a gospel artist who also has a secular following” that God has given me such a position where I have favor with all crowds.

In an industry that is primarily secular, do you think this limits air play for your music?

(He laughs) Oh man!  You have that right. You got that too right. Well, yeah man, truth is this; people don’t want to hear what we have to say. But for some reason, God in His providence has given me a platform where I can have all my songs played. I really thank the radios in Malawi, because they have been behind me and they have supported me throughout. The good thing is that we still have DJs that appreciate art, not just what people wanna hear. But please know, and don’t ever forget, whether the radio’s play our music or not. The message will never change. Hate it or love it. I’m just glad that most love it!

The first single off “Times Such As This” is “Do it for Ya” what is the mission of your ministry?

I love that joint man, truly do. Well, it’s like this; my mission is whatever God says. That’s why in the song “Do it for Ya” I said “Anything that you ask, my answer is YES SIR!” As a servant I can’t tell you what I do, all I can say is that I do what He wants me to. Maybe I should say I TRY to do what He wants me to. I just wanna rap for God man. I just wanna hold a mic and rock it. I just wanna tell people about God the way I wish someone did for me.

Who have you worked with on this album; in terms of collaboration and production?

Oh man! Some sick dude’s man! I have one of closest friends in there and a partner in ministry, a dude called Sayo on a love song called “Love Iz”. I also featured a lunatic called KBG and my big homie David on a song called “Jesus”. I have my little sister on there and in my opinion the sickest female MC out there, (he laughs) Duwa, on a song called “Do what you like.” I also have a soul sister on there called Chigo on a track “stuck on you” and my big homie Liwu on a track called “dreams”.  It’s an amazing line up! These are all people that ride hard for good. And of course one of my closest homie Mau on a song I did for my fiancé (you know your boy is engaged right?) on a song called “Lover’s Rock.”

Is there any local or international artist that you want to work with?

One day I’m going to rock with people outside of Malawi and I am telling you its going to be soon, real soon. Locally, I want to do a track with a guy named GOSPLE (with a big grin on his face). Ok, on a serious note man, I just want to rock with artists that people have never heard of because its time we pass the legacy on to the new school as we go on to other things, so if you are reading this, man hit me if you have a passion for God and his will. Internationally, I would do the same man, I just wanna meet people who have the same passion and I have had that pleasure already, but can you imagine Gosple featuring Jahaziel, ok, maybe, dudes don’t know this guy but hey, look him up. Can you imagine a song with Gosple and his fiancé? (Watch this space)!

Tell me about your involvement with Virus Free Generation?

Well, they looked around in Africa and chose people that would represent each country that applied to their project and by God’s grace I was chosen to represent Malawi and that was such a big honor man. So, I had the opportunity of touring in Netherlands and then Johannesburg, South Africa.

What have you learnt from your participation in it and how has this influenced your music?

I have learnt so much, but the one thing that I really learned is that I need to keep preaching Christ. This is because the world needs Christ, whether they agree or not. I was in Amsterdam and the things I saw out there just shocked me. It was a culture shock. Musically, I have seen all different dimensions of quality. I feel in Malawi, especially in the Christian circles, quality is missing. So, we just have to rock the best way we know how.

What is it like having to rep Christ every day?

It’s the hardest thing I ever had to do. I don’t think I manage it as well as I should because Jesus Christ expects all of me with no failure. I try and display it with my everyday life and many times I fail but somehow He carries on using me. Imagine having to be like Christ every time. It’s straight up difficult but Lord knows I try. I try in my relationships (though I fail), I try in the music I listen to, the music I write and record and I try with my relationship with Him. I am not perfect and for those that think I am, please don’t think it’s like that. I’m far from it.

Coming from ‘The Death That Gave Life’ and ‘Krossed Out’ in 2008, what do we expect to receive from “Times Such As This!”

I can’t call it, it’s just one of the best I have done yet! It’s hard to compare because these are different times in my life so different things come out. Like ‘The Death That Gave Life’ was an amazing project for that time. ‘Krossed Out’ had the track ‘Carpenter’s Son’ in there man, so you know that was fire. With this album, we have already seen ‘Do it for Ya’ doing it for them, let’s how it goes. I will let the people judge that.

Being a performance artist do you still get overwhelmed at your shows?

I know this sounds a bit cliché and the usual thing to say. But I still don’t see myself as some star. So, when I am on stage I rock the mic the same way I used in 1996 when I first started. I still get nervous in front of the crowd. I still get amazed when I am performing and people are rapping along with me. I think it’s just overwhelming for sure. All glory to God man.

Being Gosple and gospel, given the mic to address the president about Malawi and its current situation (drought, homosexuality and natural disasters) what you would say?

I would say Jesus Christ is the only way and tell him; even you can’t solve any of these situations. Change comes only when people humble themselves and call on the name Jesus Christ. After that then I will write my will because he would probably have me assassinated. Peace!

"Ama Do it For ya" by Tha Gosple

 

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