Gwamba returns ‘Better’ but with a secular-music hangover

Jan 29, 2016 Entertainment 128
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Gwamba

Weeks after abandoning secular for gospel music, Malawi celebrated rapper, Gwamba has reappeared with a new song titled Better. Yesterday I wrote an article asking if by going gospel, Gwamba will either rise or fall. Then, it was merely speculation! But hours after the article, Gwamba responded by releasing his first gospel hiphop song featuring Emm Q and Tammy to give us a clue of how he will be sounding as a gospel MC. Wonderful Mkhutche offers a Malawi24 exclusive review, giving you a glimpse of five things that will capture your attention should you listen to Better.

Gwamba
Gwamba returns Better but with a secular hangover

First: He still has it. In the previous article I described him as the “Phungu Joseph Nkasa of Malawi urban music” because of his rare ability of weaving lyrics to produce unthought-of meanings. His expressions remain the same in his favorite vernacular rapping style. There is still that confidence in his voice which has come out perfect with his rhyming skills. He exactly knows where he left it from and with his new song he has picked it from that same spot going towards a destiny only him and the universe knows better. Gwamba the lyricist has definitely not died. If anything, he weaving skills have refuelled.

Second: A secular music hangover is not yet out of him. ‘Better’ has been released with a tag as a gospel song. But the message is not all that gospel as we are used to. The likes of Ethel Kamwendo-Banda, Grace Chinga or Thocco Katimba have made us to be used to a gospel message which emphasizes on a person getting triumphant through faith in Jesus Christ. Of course, in the song there is a mention of Jesus Christ, being there for someone, and that because of that, all will be well. But still, it has come out as secular; something like what any average rapper can come up with. Gwamba is yet to discover himself as a gospel rapper in his lyrics. He will need more Bible studying and devotions to hit the bulls eye of gospel hiphop.

Third: He had planned for his conversion from secular to gospel probably weeks before he made the announcement. We are not sure of his song making abilities, in terms of how fast he can come up with a song. The song has come out good and in days’ time it will possibly threaten the existing music downloads records in Malawi. Partly, because people will be excited about the new Gwamba and will want to listen to him. But in general, the song is good. It is not sounding as a composition by a newly born child. Better can be traced to several weeks before he announced his conversion.

Fourth: Gwamba will shine with Better during the shows. It’s a pop tune. It can be speculated that he made the song with a music show in mind. He wants to be interacting with his audience especially through the anthemic sound of the chorus. If that was in his mind, then he got it right. This song is ideal for a music show. This will be the reason he will not lose his old appeal  among his fan base or those he has found in his father-in-law ministry. In other words, with Better, Gwamba has used a strategy which will see him easily moving his fans from the secular side he belonged to the Gospel side he now belongs.

Fifth: The song has proved that a rapper who is at the top of his secular game can convert to gospel hiphop and still maintain his old touch of brilliance. Gwamba is a strange case on the Malawian music scene. Converting while at the top of his game; it has never happened before in Malawi, and more, from an urban music artist. He has shown the rest of his peers that it is possible to take that risky career step and still be as versatile as you have always been. Who knows, he has just led the way and more secular urban rappers will follow his way. Clearly, Gwamba has returned Better!

*Wonderful Mkhutche is an author, a political scientist and a manuscript developer and editor.

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128 Comments

  1. Gwamba maganizo abwino, koma chomwe ndingakuphe ulimbikile kuwelenga BIBLE ndikumugwilitsa YESU chifu ukumana ndi mayeselo uchuluka

  2. If he is truly changed man, he knows where he belong. That what the wards says on psalms 27 vs 4 every new born has his desire to sick the house ov the lord,’ not anather ward

  5. bonani bolan tisamakumane mma club mmenemu.. ambiri agospel timayaka nawo bawa koma akamaimba amationesa ife ngat athu oipa, ryt thus wat u r tryna to cover yo zebra stripes with transparent plastic bag..tizaululana.. anywe gud choice bro if u r serius abot diz!! GOD bless u en yo career as u r taking it to de gospel lane..

  8. Man gwamba ur respect., dnt wory abot malawians coment,God wil b with yu 4eva & alwelz,nice dcision and mind yu pali anthu ena amasangalala mukamapanga zaziko they do 4get tilipa ulendo

  9. Man gwamba ur respect., dnt wory abot malawians coment,God wil b with yu 4eva & alwelz,nice dcision and mind yu pali anthu ena amasangalala mukamapanga zaziko they do 4get tilipa ulendo

  10. Gwamba ndi gwamba sangakhale Ethel kamwendo or Thoko Katimba. Better ili bho…go Gwamba go….iwe ndi Mulungu wako baxi,,,anthuwa too much analysing anzawo.

  11. The Bible clear says ,the false prophets we shall know them by their deeds…..no wonder people of last shall love money ……am not judging anybody here……..

  18. Why waste time tryna judge this guy? The decision of going gospel was personal its about him and His God,,we’re too probing for nothing

  21. Mukalumidwa chakuda mkuma bhona.w@ goes around cms around ther is something behind thee walls.gospel ndikuidziwa ine imagwira mtima ikamanena za kulemekeza kwa namalenga.iyi ai gospel koma kulimbikisa mitima anthu amene ali ovutika kut asatiye mtima zizakhala bwino.pomaliza ndimati ndipemphe nawo nyimbo…#SINDINGASIYE BHAWA. Mark my words

  33. Mundibwereke makutu abale anga.Vetserani ndipo mumvetsetse.Cho linga changa si chiweruzo.Poti ku weruza nkwamwini.Koma poti ndife anthu timayiwala.kukumbusanako si kulakwa.timuthokoze Ambuye potipatsa alaliki ambiri mbiri lero.koma chithu chimodzi chindiopsa nd alaliki ambiri a lero.akamayitanira anthu kwa Yesu.akungokamba zabwino zokha zokha.akuti mudzapeza chuma,banja,ana ,ntchito.akuti muzabowoleza.lero chisoni kachisi wadzadza nd anthu .ongofuna zokoma za kuthupi.ndimati ndipemphe nawo mkamalalika mtsindike za ufumu wa Ambuye.zokoma munene msaiwaleso kuwauza za zowawa zili mwa Ambuye.akonzekeretse mitima yawo poti kutsatira Yesu si kophweka.ngakhale anyozedwe atonzedwe adzaima nga nga nga pa mbuyo pa Ambuyeyo…titi tilililli tiiiii tiiii liiiiiii singing…….skeffa chimoto.

  35. every thing we are coming across was already said in the Bible.avoid turning to the God 4 the sake of entertainig somebody but you have to do this with your heart.

  39. Much emphasis on the name of Jesus faith and so on doesn’t make a song a gospel peice. But rather the teachings in that song. Your analysis is wake!!!

  40. The moment he joined the Major 1 ,Ngwamba has changed completely to sing a beautiful song of Gospel, Major 1,man of God keep on turning around things for better in Jesus name

  50. Akuthanthauzanji ‘BETTER’. walemera? wamuziwa Mulungu? Nanga nyimbo yabetter ikufotoka zomuziwa Mulungu or zokhuza zandalama ? Mau a Mulungu ali pansika tsopano

  51. Akuthanthauzanji ‘BETTER’. walemera? wamuziwa Mulungu? Nanga nyimbo yabetter ikufotoka zomuziwa Mulungu or zokhuza zandalama ? Mau a Mulungu ali pansika tsopano

  54. I We Tazilembako Nkhani Zopindula, Kusukulu Unapitako Anati Uzizalemba Zimenezi! We Need Something Tangible Here! Ungodya Sarary Eti Ndizopusa Zakozo!

  55. I We Tazilembako Nkhani Zopindula, Kusukulu Unapitako Anati Uzizalemba Zimenezi! We Need Something Tangible Here! Ungodya Sarary Eti Ndizopusa Zakozo!

  64. kkkiieesst Mabvuto a ku Nyasalande, Suungamvetse !! Come here in USA n see how life iz,,,osamamgoti uku ndapita uku ndapita aaa mxiee !!

  65. kkkiieesst Mabvuto a ku Nyasalande, Suungamvetse !! Come here in USA n see how life iz,,,osamamgoti uku ndapita uku ndapita aaa mxiee !!

  74. We malawian’s… M’malo mongoyamikila kom timafuna tinyoze kaye…… Gwamba sazatha guyz… Nyimbo zake za secure zimkandibowa kom na ya gospel yokhayi……. Ikumakhala pa repeat… Coz muli uthenga wachilimbikixo…..

  75. We malawian’s… M’malo mongoyamikila kom timafuna tinyoze kaye…… Gwamba sazatha guyz… Nyimbo zake za secure zimkandibowa kom na ya gospel yokhayi……. Ikumakhala pa repeat… Coz muli uthenga wachilimbikixo…..

  78. Evry tym u tink of sme1 going down eti,Aaaaaaaah zinali kale zimenezo coz y can’t u tink of tryin 2 mek 1 hve a beta Lyf?Tamusiyeni Gwamba he said his a nu man so let him be

  79. Evry tym u tink of sme1 going down eti,Aaaaaaaah zinali kale zimenezo coz y can’t u tink of tryin 2 mek 1 hve a beta Lyf?Tamusiyeni Gwamba he said his a nu man so let him be

  80. i dont wat yu want,,ufuna ayimbe bwanji ,iwe kod umayimba? vuto lanu ndilimenero Gwamba no need to change kayimbidwe zilibwino ,tamvera ife nyimboyo,aliyense wabona basi milandu,mmasangalala mukamatiwona anyamata tikuyenda ndi mahule et? mowa mkumasutaso sichoncho? Guys muvomerezeni Gwamba si mtundu wakwanu and po Borna wawona moyo wake.

  81. i dont wat yu want,,ufuna ayimbe bwanji ,iwe kod umayimba? vuto lanu ndilimenero Gwamba no need to change kayimbidwe zilibwino ,tamvera ife nyimboyo,aliyense wabona basi milandu,mmasangalala mukamatiwona anyamata tikuyenda ndi mahule et? mowa mkumasutaso sichoncho? Guys muvomerezeni Gwamba si mtundu wakwanu and po Borna wawona moyo wake.

    6. Zachiziwikilezo timajaja man n fanz yambiri kumalawi kuno timasekelela zopoila dats y ngin zambiri zimativuta i feel sorry fo hm akuphelezela zomwe bible linakamba abot last dayz n real xristains i hop dei r not hpy with hm

    7. Zachiziwikilezo timajaja man n fanz yambiri kumalawi kuno timasekelela zopoila dats y ngin zambiri zimativuta i feel sorry fo hm akuphelezela zomwe bible linakamba abot last dayz n real xristains i hop dei r not hpy with hm

    8. Zachiziwikilezo timajaja man n fanz yambiri kumalawi kuno timasekelela zopoila dats y ngin zambiri zimativuta i feel sorry fo hm akuphelezela zomwe bible linakamba abot last dayz n real xristains i hop dei r not hpy with hm

    9. Zachiziwikilezo timajaja man n fanz yambiri kumalawi kuno timasekelela zopoila dats y ngin zambiri zimativuta i feel sorry fo hm akuphelezela zomwe bible linakamba abot last dayz n real xristains i hop dei r not hpy with hm

    12. mada dd u had a one on one chart wth him n he tld u dat he z fooling all of us??? Were u dea wen he ws making his decision of turning to christ?? N u #mada r u holy dat hell fire wil pass u by,,,,? Are u God to judge?

    13. mada dd u had a one on one chart wth him n he tld u dat he z fooling all of us??? Were u dea wen he ws making his decision of turning to christ?? N u #mada r u holy dat hell fire wil pass u by,,,,? Are u God to judge?

    16. You are right Pax…. Its more of seculer thing than gospel but the message brings positivety to the game… He will slowly grow and learn to bring us gospel stuff not secular.

    17. You are right Pax…. Its more of seculer thing than gospel but the message brings positivety to the game… He will slowly grow and learn to bring us gospel stuff not secular.

    20. kod mumafuna lero nd lero ayambire2 kuymba lyk allan chirwa,king james,mau-k?? y cnt w jst pik up th postv msg en mov on,,osapanga zanu zolondorazo fanz iwone bwanj? Malawianz Tinatan Kuyamika? Gwamba z duin hs part,,du uas

    23. #Hend And #Gift ndamvela nyimboy ilinyatwa hvy en theas a strong msg makamaka to th us th yut,,bt th problm wt us nkovomeleza zomwe nza2 wapanga,,,mzmu wa umodz escapes frm us mst of tymz,,i dnt blem th haters bt th demon inside them

    25. Lol ok ok am nut judjin hm am nut hatin hm i av neva av a chat with hm n am nut holy bot whether u lyk it or not gwambizo z foolin most of u by de way who z an artist here???? What z gospel? What r some of de tings which qualify a man to b a BA??? What z hiphop?? Where do hiphop originate? Can hiphop b holy?? Tisamanamizanepo apa de track z gospel n dupe yes but luk @ him z he potrayn gospel ting??? Muzakhumudwa mukazaziwabe

    26. Lol ok ok am nut judjin hm am nut hatin hm i av neva av n i dont want to av a chat with hm n am nut holy bot whether u lyk it or not gwambizo z foolin most of u by de way who z an artist here???? What z gospel? What r some of de tings which qualify a man to b a BA??? What z hiphop?? Where do hiphop originate? Can hiphop b holy?? Tisamanamizanepo apa de track z gospel n dupe yes but luk @ him z he potrayn gospel ting??? Muzakhumudwa mukazaziwabe most yuth dnt read de bible dats y mumangoti chilichose chikatchula mulungu chabhona kkkkkkk a team illumnated

    30. Kodi what z gospel music? Does it matter whether its jazz or hiphop? Do we have a genre called ‘gospel’? Enlighten me plz….

    31. @ jeremiah if u say de origin z jst de same den i will tell u kut u dnt know what u r splitin go n do a gud research abot hophop @ thom ofcoz dea z no genre called gospel bot u cnt do gospel in hiphop listlen to better n other gospel hiphop tracks de msge z gud yes bot luk @ hw de words n punchlines used are dei giving respect which God needs?

    32. @ jeremiah if u say de origin z jst de same den i will tell u kut u dnt know what u r splitin go n do a gud research abot hophop @ thom ofcoz dea z no genre called gospel bot u cnt do gospel in hiphop listlen to better n other gospel hiphop tracks de msge z gud yes bot luk @ hw de words n punchlines used are dei giving respect which God needs? So to answer ur que yes genre matters lets God tings b God tings n mmm tings b mmm tings dont mix up tings

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