Born 5 July 1980, Timothy Kailedzi never thought he’d become Malawi Hip-hop Gospel’s most controversial figure. He joined the rap community because he sensed that Christian Mc’s don’t put a lot of the Word into their rap songs “even though they claim to”, says the apprehensive Kailedzi as I ask him how he got into rap. Timothy’s claim, which by even the laziest of evaluations, is hard to believe as the gospel community is saturated with content conscious artists than most African countries that I have heard music from. So the question that begs is this: “what does Timothy mean?” In response, Timothy says “songs are becoming more personal and directed at persons”. His favorite rappers were Gosple and David, and he says that Exodus part II is one of his favorite songs. The second question that I ask is: does he still feel the same about these rappers? Perhaps you would doubt it if he said he still respects them due to the manner in which he speaks of them. Maybe a social network like facebook allows one too much freedom to say things they wouldn’t say in any other circumstance, but “in the fullness of the heart, the fingers do update”.
Timothy accepts that he is not a good rapper, an amateur with no lyrical skill but has a heart to serve the Lord. He asks one thing: to serve the Lord with the space to express himself without being told how bad a rapper he is. However, he is becoming more known on his facebook brawls, controversial status updates, and offensive comments than anything else. He has created himself the image of “the oppose”. He calls himself “Da Litespeax” while others call him Mr. Low-Fat on account of his updates carrying the hashtag: “#lowfat”. Amongst different social circles, he is the subject of debate, mockery and props; but perhaps his presence in the music scene is absolutely needed. In-fact, to say that he has “stirred up the mud” and brought us out of a sense of complacency in certain things would not be a wrong assumption. He has given us the right to ask questions. He has stimulated thought and brought to light subjects that only others imagined about but never dared to utter. On the day of his very first #lowfat status update, there were others who did agree with what he was saying, and the question is: would these people have had the guts to raise any questions had he not raised them first? However, IT’S NEVER WRONG TO ASK QUESTIONS, BUT IT’S ALWAYS WRONG TO ASK THEM IF YOU ALREADY HAVE THE ANSWER FOR YOURSELF.” The aim of this interview was to somewhat CLEAR THE AIR – and though there are always two sides to every story I believe you will find my interview to be as objective as possible. Unfortunately, that meant the interview was short as much of what is happening is sensitive (but not damaging to the Christian community) and I will not publish out of professional courtesy save for 3 questions. However, at the end of the interview I will offer 5 points of what I think will be a correct evaluation of the situation. Please enjoy and be informed.
The Interview
What is #lowFat?
When I came up with the #lowfat concept, I was sitting at home drinking 2% low fat milk and I wondered why it wasn’t “full-cream” milk…shouldn’t that be the healthier option? I checked it out and found that fat is good but not in excess, so hence, #lowfat. So there are three types of songs for me:
1. Full-fat milk: where the rapper is on war-mode. Always pointing out other artists and personalities and trying to use them as examples without ever mentioning their names.
2. Low-fat milk: balanced music where the rapper reaches out in love, he doesn’t veil or mask who he is talking to or about but plainly states it as it is.
3. Fat-free: pointless rap, music that does not enrich at all.
(For more on #lowfat check out http://soundcloud.com/malawigospelhhsongreview
What prompted your response to David’s “as you grow”
I saw the link, I downloaded the song, I played it and I remember being shocked. Soon after that, five other people came to me expressing the same shock. We all believed it was a hit at 1 Lord. So I posted up on facebook so as to see who else thought the same and some did think the same. I only put it out in a public place because the song too was out in a public place. My intention was not to divide but to bring out the truth. I respect David, and I love Lawi’s contribution to the track, but my beef was that if David meant 1 Lord then why did he not just mention 1 Lord? Listen to the 1st minute 15th second of the track, that is 1 Lord.* Listen to the 3rd minute 10th second of the song, that too is 1 Lord.* *[1 min 15 sec: remember ‘gang it up’ youth-fest oh-six?] However, 1 Lord was not in existence during 2006, neither was Kali there ministering with David at that time.*[3 min 10 sec: these days shows are happening every 2, 3 weeks] However, there are many shows taking place country-wide by ministries other than 1 Lord.
How do you feel about being the centre of controversy?
I’m not proud to be famous for what many call “evil or beef”… I just do what I do to try to end hate and misunderstanding even though I know I am paying a costly price in being open and direct.
Tim’s Final word
I got no beef with anybody. If you think I had beef with anybody then you are wasting your time. Secondly, I don’t issue my statements as 1 Lord, but as Timothy, they are not a reflection of the ministry / record label I am affiliated with. Thirdly, I sincerely apologize to anyone I may have hurt during this time: I am sorry.
Rowland’s thoughts
1. Facebook is no platform to discuss any of these matters, neither is it appropriate to bring them out in songs. I applaud Timothy for having voiced his concerns publicly, but I also applaud those immediately involved for not responding publicly. People are out of touch and have become impersonal – business deals, employment interviews, spouse selections are all done over social networks and no one is ever really known. I suggest this discussion moves off the social sites and into neutral, physical environments where problems can be well resolved. (Sharp Iron Summit coming soon).
2. Concerning whether or not David referred to 1 Lord in his song “as you grow”, I quote a man more senior than I, Pastor Sean Kampondeni (Timothy’s pastor at Flood Church): David Kalilani says "These days [Christian] events are happening every two or three weeks, and people go into these shows and come out the same. We don't even see the power of God anymore...It's just a reflection of how far WE've fallen, how far WE've drifted from God...And I've made up my mind to go back to being on fire for God.” The Christian community in Malawian cities is being overrun by…music shows that have more to do with crowd-entertainment and self-promotion than bringing people to Christ for transformation. It is only because David sees that he himself has drifted from God in this way that he confesses a personal desire and decision to go back to God. You have to be blind to your own pride to think that his confession is targeting you, and blind to your own contribution to this culture of turning God into an amusement to think that this assessment is targeting someone else. David is not talking about you or someone else. He says "WE" because is talking about himself…” (Timothy requested David responds to his question, but David affirms that the above statement is one that he stands by as his own and he would issue no other statemement than the one above as it is most relevant).
3. I say this to anyone it might help: “don’t get bitter, get better.”
4. This time has prompted the public and the Christian community to look at the characters and works of artists / ministers and I am glad to say that their characters and works speak for them in affirming that they are indeed “low fat”.
5. In our ministries let us ensure to “give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed,” (2 Corinthians 6:3), and “let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way,” (Romans 14:13).
6. We must rejoice due to all that is happening because it proves that our music scene is alive, vibrant and has a tangible existence.
7. Youthfest ’06 was indeed a supernatural manifestation of God’s will and plan for His people. Many were saved during that time including ministers like K.B.G, Li-Wu, and S.A.M.U.E.L in Blantyre; and Gome, C.H.I.M, and Set-Free in Mzuzu. It is without a doubt that this event serves as precedence for our Malawi hip-hop gospel because the “spiritual harvest” from that day has grown into capable ministers. To desire to see God’s hand again in this way would be a heart-felt prayer come true.
No comments:
Post a Comment