Interview: Nyasha Munashe
Nyasha Munashe talks to Louder Than The Music about his new single, 'PARTY', which is inspired by the role of Christian faith in American politics and history. Read on to find out more about his plans to release more new music this year.
For those who haven't heard of you before, can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got involved in making music?
Sure, I’m a hip-hop and spoken word artist, an academic currently doing a masters and I’ve recently become a YouTuber. I’ve loved hip-hop music since I was about 6 years old and I studied it extensively growing up so when I came to faith in Jesus at 19 I felt compelled and drawn to pursue that path.
Tell us about your new single 'PARTY' and why you decided to focus on US politics for this track?
“PARTY” and the album it belongs to (which is coming this summer hopefully) is an offering to the wider body of work that is being done globally to represent Jesus faithfully in the outworkings of day-to-day life. Too often, Christians have sought to link arms with the powerful in order to spread their message, or rather, what I would argue is their narrow version of what Christian faith should look like that more often than not does not draw on the richness and diversity of church history and the beauties of the various faith traditions that exist within global historical Christian faith. As such, “PARTY” directly addresses the ways in which the pure message and Way or Jesus have been coopted and appropriated to further the myth of American exceptionalism.
Do you have any plans to release more music in the near future?
Yes. A few singles soon and then the full album in June. Perhaps a post-album package this year too.
What message would you like people to take from your music?
Above all, I think I’d like for people to be brought into the reality that God is involved, present and active in the beauty, turmoil and everything in between of life. I think the Incarnation - the act of Jesus, fully God becoming human as well and remaining fully human in His ascension and enthronement powerfully demonstrates this. Jesus cares for and is Lord over the spiritual and the physical, both the supernatural and the natural, the seen and the unseen and as such I hope that the music can contribute to a more holistic and accurate understanding of God that pushes us to faithfully civic, political and cultural engagement with the Ways of Jesus engrained in our hearts, minds, hands and feet.
How would you describe your style of music and what are your influences?
I would say that my style of music is flexible. As a fan of lyricism and deep thought, I believe that shows in my music. In that regard I’m heavily influenced by J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Nas and many more. I am also a fan of creativity, quirkiness and pushing the boundaries of genres which is something I hope to do more of in the future so in that regard some influences would be Andy Mineo, nobigdyl, Tyler, The Creator and Chance The Rapper.
If you could work with any songwriter, who would it be and why?
Great question! I’d say Andy Mineo because he’s such a talented lyricist and creative and he’s super funny in his music too! He can do it all artistically.
How would you define success in your career as an artist?
Success as an artist for me would be recognising that no individual artist is able to change a genre/landscape and that we exist as part of wider histories and realities and the best we can do is to contribute to the wellbeing of our scenes/genres by serving our God faithfully, serving our listeners and creating infrastructures for one another to flourish.
What is your favourite album of all time?
This is a tough one. I’ll either go with Blonde by Frank Ocean, Distant Relatives by Nas and Damian Marley or The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill by Lauryn Hill.
You're stuck on an island, it's hot, you only have enough battery life left to listen to one song on your phone. What track is it?
Right now, probably “CHERIMOYA” by Jordan Ward
What does the next year hold for you?
Life and life abundantly. How that pans out creatively, we’ll see but Jesus has me so I’m blessed.
