Praising God in song
Chigo Grace is relatively new in the music industry. She has blasted the music scene with her unique approach to music by singing purely worship songs. She first appeared on the scene at Faith Mussa’s Mdidi album launch. She has released her third album and our Arts Editor EDITH GONDWE caught up with her to get to know her better.
Q
: Who is Chigo Grace?
A
: Chigo Grace is a Malawi-based recording worship artist with a mission to worship the Father and help inspire a global movement of worshippers. I have a bachelor’s degree in environmental health. I’m married with two beautiful children. I have been passionate about music since I was a child. My inspiration is my mum and my uncle Wambali Mkandawire.
I come from a back ground of people who can sing although most of them haven’t taken a professional route. I used to sing a lot with my mum and grew up with passion for art.
I used to sing at church as a solo. I released my first album in 2008, You Are Righteous and my second album Beautiful in 2009. Since 2015 I have been working on my third album, Breathe In Me which will have two editions. I released the first edition in June and I am working towards completing the second edition.
Q
: You have chosen a route less travelled as you have taken a genre that is not so common in Malawi. Tell me about it.
A
: Gospel music in its purest sense is the language of the soul to the Father and to His people. It’s an expression of who one is. So, in making the type of music we make we are merely being true to what we are and to the inspiration God has placed into our soul. It is a journey: as an artist you learn from your audience as your music spreads and they in turn adapt to the inspiration God has put in you. You do not find your audience, you build it and it in turn builds you. I believe it is important for us as Africans and Malawians having received so much globally to step up and contribute globally in music and all other worthwhile undertakings.
Q
: So, what has been the response from audiences?
A
: So far we have received encouraging response from nation’s across Africa and selected individuals outside Africa.
Q
: Introduce your album and music?
A
: Breathe In Me is a solemn hearts cry for an intimate walk with the Father. It’s the cry of a soul that has found the world wanting and wants to walk in intimacy with God. The album has two editions, first edition with 17 songs and second edition with 16+ songs. The album is a must have for lovers of God and lovers of great music.
Q
: When are you launching the album?
A
: We are working on launching the album. We will announce the dates in due course. For now our focus is to complete edition two and make as many people as possible access edition one.
Q
: What are your cherished experiences since you started your music career?
A
: I have had two cherished experiences so far.
The first being when I, alongside Patience Namadingo, shared the stage with Sinach at the concerts she held in Lilongwe and Blantyre in 2018
The second was when I shared the stage with Faith Mussa during the launch of his Mdidi album. I loved the audience’s response to the music and I am eternally grateful to these great ministers.
Q
: Any final remarks?
A
: I thank my producers, my manager, the Spontaneous Band which I perform with and all organisers that featured me in concerts. A special thanks to Apostle Joseph Ziba, who I sit under. I am grateful for the many ways he has ministered to me and made me a better worship artist.n
