Mudiwa Hood Interview
Mudiwa Hood, Christian rapper lives to praise and glorify God’s name. He is inspiring and ministering through his music. Preaching gospel is his way of life. In this Interview Mudiwa talks about his life, career and future plans.
Please tell us, who is Mudiwa Hood?
Mudiwa Hood is a 28 year old Christian rapper, the last born in a family of 4. He is also a holder of Bsc hons eco, BSSc Psych and MBA Finance…” I’m all about Jesus that’s my story “.
What inspired you to pursue Christian Hip Hop as a career?
It is the calling from God upon my life which is my sole inspiration it works from within. I am called and customised especially for this generation, so hip hop definitely had to be the media of communication considering its influence and popularity nowadays. In short, I am a minister of the Gospel I am not a rapper who happens to preach but a preacher who happens to rap.
What were some of the challenges you faced trying to establish yourself and how did you address them?
Many are times when I am addressed with this question and those interviewing me are shocked at my response each time I answer this question. I did not have any challenges establishing myself at all and this is what I believe is the reason, when I decided to establish myself as a gospel artist God had ordained me a minister of His gospel and so I believe he paved my way. Isaiah 42:16 “And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not, I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them”.
Who are your musical influences?
I cannot say my music is influenced by any artist because that would be a lie, my music is influenced by my understanding of the word of God, the lives and testimonies of great men of God in the Bible, and in our generation my style and tastes.
What makes Mudiwa unique from other hip hop artists in Zimbabwe?
1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, and holy nation, a peculiar people……. I believe no people were created alike and no two people have the same calling so that is what makes me unique. I am the only one like me. Mudiwa Hood and mudiwamusiq is exclusive.
Tell us about your album, Magnet.
The title of the album was simply explaining the properties of my album relating it to the properties of a magnet. You see I would say, it is impossible to stop a magnet from attracting any substances that are subject to its magnetic field whether you put it in water, in air or where ever, all substances which are subject to a magnets magnetic field will always be attracted to the magnet so likewise my album Magnet would not be stopped from accomplishing that which God had set it out to achieve no matter what restraints it would face. I would like to believe it has achieved just that because 7 tracks of the 9 track album have been aired on radio stations and have all been at the number one spot at one point in time and I have received 4 awards since the release of this album, Magnet. It also opened opportunities for me to tour many countries and even though almost all the songs are in my mother tongue shona, it has gotten other nationalities singing along to it. So I can safely say my album Magnet, has been a magnet.
Your song Ndaita Mari is very popular in Zimbabwe and was voted as the best song on Power FM gospel chart show what inspired you to do the song?
Ndaita Mari is simply a confession that we are the seed of Abraham and God’s blessings to Abraham, also belong to us therefore just as Jehovah blessed Abraham with the earth and its fullness thereof we too own the earth and its fullness thereof silver and gold and livestock are ours. So what shows wealth in our generation? Cars houses money assets are ours because this is what fills the earth in this generation.
What message do you want to communicate with your music?
Well I don’t want to preach while explaining (chuckle) but I’ll try and keep it brief. Each song has a different message but generally what I am trying to communicate through my music is the word of God. I’ll give a few examples of messages in my songs especially those deemed controversial by some critics but most of my songs revolve around many scriptures. When I sing about haters like my phrase in anhu acho tisu “nomore pressure nemahaters ko anomakwa ndiye anebhora” it’s a simple message to Christians and a sure sign that I am of God to the world because the word says in John 15:19 ‘if ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you’. Above all my music is designed to renew people‘s minds and to remind people of God’s promises to us in His word to break the back bone of religion and introduce the true meaning of the glorious life of Christianity.
You won 3 awards in a year, what do you attribute this success to?
God, nothing and no one else but God. My music was His calling upon my life and so anything or anyone God has ordained is bound to be a success because God Himself can never and has never failed.
You have two nominations for this year’s Zimbabwe Achievers Awards (ZAA) which one would you want to get the most if you were to win?
Both of them actually because this is what the people nominated me for, but however it is the people’s votes that will count. I must say though, that I am very grateful to God, The ZAA team, my fans, family and friends for the opportunity of being nominated and being considered for the two awards.
Which artist would you like to work with locally and internationally?
I would find it a great privilege working with every local gospel artist. I’ve shared the stage with Kirk before but I would love to get something with him on one of my albums but Deitrick Haddon does it for me.
Who is your favourite local and international producer?
My favourite producer has to be my producer, Craigbone he is a very talented young man and on the international scene swiss beats does it for me.
What do think of current state hip hop in Zimbabwe and Africa at large?
I think hip hop in Zimbabwe and Africa is very ethical as compared to American hip hop and I feel if we as Zimbabweans and Africans keep up the hard work we will soon take over hip hop internationally and give the Americans a run for their money.
Are you involved in any community outreach project? if so please share more.
Yes I am involved in community work, recently I was engaged in some community work through an organisation called help us help ourselves where I assisted the organisation which is UK based in locating and signing in some underprivileged students to get scholarships at Borrowdale Brooke Academy. Also,I donated all the proceeds from my UK tour to an underprivileged family that was struggling with their family business.
You are well educated, why is education important in Africa?
It’s simple education is the key to success and every person’s intellectual ability is liberated by education. I mean we all know everything we know because someone thought us what we know. So education is very important for our success as Africans.
What advice would you like to give to up and coming musicians?
Well my advice to new artists is that the most important element that will determine your success is your faith. Criticism and challenges will surely come and the industry is very difficult to penetrate for some but your determination, focus and vision will determine how far you will go. Also it is very important to dedicate your work to God, let Him be your insurance.
Who is the most beautiful woman in Zim, not your mum or relatives please?
The most beautiful woman in Zimbabwe for me is my fiancée, Miss Karen M. King. She is very beautiful, she has a loving heart and she has stunning looks so to me that is a bonus.
Are you working on a new music project? If so when can we expect it?
Yes I am currently working on my 3rd album and a DVD and a little surprise too, but I’m not going to reveal when exactly I will be releasing my latest offering but I can promise that if you are a Mudiwamusiq fan, you will surely love it.
Outside Zimbabwe what was the most memorable experience you have had in an African country?
My South Africa tour, it was off the hook, it was like my boss Jesus Christ was literally with me in person. I had a supernatural experience in Durban, Nelspruit and Johannesburg. Fans and people I ministered to sang along like I was singing in their own language. I loved every bit of it.
How can your fans connect with you?
Connect with me
via twitter, follow @mudiwamusiq
- on soundcloud @mudiwamusiq
- on facebook page Mudiwa Hood/ mudiwa
- or facebook account Mudiwa Mtandwa Hood
for shows or bookings email [email protected]
