WHY ARTHUR is "MISTER UNDERSTOOD"

Artist Bio and Profile

·         Name: Arthur Phiri

·         Genre: Hip-hop

·         City of Residence: Lilongwe

·         Birth date: 17 November 1982

·         Contact Details: gathering116@gmail.com / (+265) 888 607 681

Twitter.com/Arthurphiri1

        Soundcloud.com/Arthurphiri

        Facebook.com/Arthurphiri

He opens the tape deck and inserts side-A of the cassette labeled “Fat Boys”, as he pushes the tape deck closed he doesn’t know what experience awaits him. The six year old boy pushes the play button on the radio and what seems to be a cold chill runs up and down his spine as the cool vibrations flowing from the speakers overwhelm him thoroughly. Life and music will never be the same again for the six year old Arthur because he would have just fallen in love with hip-hop. Bob Marley said “when music hits you, you feel no pain” and Arthur must have played side-A and B of the tape a thousand times over. Arthur first had his experience with music in 1988 (the year I was born!), 24 years down the line and he continues to swim in the waves that first hit him as a small six year old boy. However, the first time he heard God’s Word on wax would be as a 16 year old teen when he was introduced to Cross Movement (House of Representatives). Small wonder why his approach to music is “roots” oriented, with an underground feel and an old school bopp.

You won’t find a discography in his name even though he has contributed to a number of projects. In 2007, his first ever recording was the Youthfest Anthem. Therefater, he jumped onto other more committed and demanding projects namely Spirit Filled Spit Kikaz Vol.1 and 2. During the years of ’07 and ’09. Production and lyrics from the rapper formerly known as “Grace Alumni” had exploded onto the scene. He recorded “Laborers” ft. David for Vol.1 which was his first full length song, and to date he calls it "the best song i ever did". Perhaps better known for making “hard as nails” beats and employing an even harder rap style, many would say he is straight up out of the concrete. By default, he would be considered a pioneer. He and the rest of the “Spit Kikaz” were doing Christian rap at a time when the church had shunned it, deeming it unspiritual and an unacceptable means of ministry. It was hard to be taken seriously, to have shows, have air-play on the radio, invite churches or pastors and even get church youth involved. As a result, Spirit Filled Vol.1 was released without any church affiliation despite all who were involved being members of churches. By the time Spirit Filled Vol.2 was set to be released, the society and the church had grasped their mission, saw their influence and how hip-hop could be used as a viable evangelism tool assuming the art fell under the authority of God. 

Why don’t you rhyme in your songs

  To be honest with you I don’t even notice it. I guess it’s more to do with the fact that I am more of a teacher than an artist. Like one of my pastors at church says that I don’t write songs I write sermons. It’s just the way I think and am I: unorthodox. I just drive at nailing my point really, and it seems I just flow like that; it all just comes out naturally. I know am not the most artistic or creative like David but it’s just the way God made me, weird, lol.

Why did you change your rap name?

Grace Alumni was a cool dude. He was sort of perfect to be honest with you. He would get on stage or record a song and poeple would hear and see how deep he was and he looked all good but to be honest with you he wasn't the real dude. Arthur was the real dude. Arthur had and has a fear to witness, he struggles with certain things, he sometimes goes through moments of dry seasons and lows that Grace Alumni didn't really have. So i decided to take off the perfect Alumni mask and put on the real Arthur face and let people see me, Arthur on stage, Arthur at church, Arthur at home with the wife, Arthur struggling to kill the sin in him, etc. I had been going through a phase in my life and a low spiritually So when i looked at my life at that point i decided Alumni must die, it was kinda like my rebirth. Now am a different person from then, i have learnt much and i continue to. So call me Arthur, Grace Alumni was burried

 What is your greatest goal?

Simple. Like Paul said, to make Christ known and that’s it. Not to be remembered as a producer or mc or the guy who knew deep stuff from atonement to eschatology but just a servant of God; to live everyday to be the husband to Dina (my wife) that Ephesians 5 prescribes; to live a life given over to his master to use and let the world know Him (i.e. Christ). To me I count it all as loss compared to knowing Christ, that’s my Life’s goal and in the end I hope I will hear Him say welcome home good and faithful servant.

What do you consider your greatest achievements?

The day I got married, the day God planted me at Kairos far outweigh any time I have had my songs played on radio or have stood on any stage before people. But the one thing I can be thankful to God for is He taught me how to produce beats for His glory.

Fame? Popularity? Recognition?

To be honest with you I don’t really strive for recognition, I strive for Christ to get known. If people know Him it’s all good. I have often said that if I ever step on a stage or release a song and people say they enjoyed it and have/had fun but they still don’t know Christ or don’t grow, I will quit music altogether – and I mean that. My daily prayer is John 3:30 9read it) and don’t care much if I’m recognized or not. But there are a few people who do, that’s great but its not everything. I don’t live for that.

 Who inspires you? Both internationally and locally?

Hmm, my inspirations: I would say David Kalilani, Eugene Moura, Ralph Nyirenda (crosova), Chimwemwe Mganga (Chi-netik) and the reason is because I have been with them from the beginning, have seen and still see their lives, struggles and their sincere hatred for sin and daily fights for holy living. They are not just great mc’s on stage but I have shared and continue to share in their lives every day. We meet up every Friday for prayer and accountability and we have a great time. They are the main reason I am who I am today. On the international scene I’d have to say Timothy Brindle. Firstly because he makes spitting look so easy. Secondly, he’s style you can sense is not for crowd pleasing but he keeps it real even though he might not get the sales or attention of ‘Crae, sorta like me, lol. Thirdly, I don’t think I have ever heard anyone write and bring things to life like he does. I still listen to killing sin today and it’s like the first time. I love how graphic he is, brings out what he’s saying to life.

 Say Something deep in 10 words or less…

I’ll quote a line from a verse to a song I once did – ‘’Beginning plus the end equals everything in between’’

Songs

Youthfest '07 Lilongwe theme song - Youthfest '07
Laborers ft David - Spirit filled vol 1
Price tag with David, Chi-netik & Gino - Spirit filled vol 1
fallen ft Gino - Spirit filled vol 2
Funeral song - One Lord mixtape vol 1

Walk with me - One Lord mixtape vol 1
Predestined to worship - World changers compilation
who’s the man - One Lord mixtape vol 2 'growth'

Produced

Laborers and Price tag - Spirit filled vol 1
Fallen, ma B.A (Chi-netik),
Including production for David, Gino, Chifuniro, Double Zee, Silas, Gomezgani, Khama and many more.

"I know a few people have been waiting for Arthur (formerly known as Grace Alumni) to drop an album, well that wait is almost over. Just keep me and the whole team in prayer as we work to finish the album. The title of the album is ‘’Real stories, Real people’’ coming to you on 7000Music.  Details coming soon!"