Bushiri to launch K3m gospel rap contest

South Africa-based prophet Shepherd Bushiri is set to launch a gospel rap contest in Malawi by the close of this year.

Three million kwacha and a car are up for grabs for the top prize. First and second runners-up will pocket two and one million Kwacha, respectively.

The founder and leader of the Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) says the contest aims at encouraging youths to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ through music.

He has, so far, recorded a rap song titled Motivation which he says is the foundation stone for this Christian rap contest project.

In the song, Bushiri underlines his unshaken drive to continue prophesising and preaching the gospel against all odds.

His spokesperson Kelvin Sulugwe told The Nation yesterday that under the heading of Major 1 Gospel Rap Battles, the competition will tackle pertinent spiritual issues with creativity and purpose.

“The project is set to be a powerful platform, not only for powerful gospel lyrics, but also bringing perspectives on topics that may, otherwise, never be discussed by the youths,” said Sulugwe.

He added that during the contest, Christian rappers will face each other in regional auditions.

The contest will portray the chronic issues of cautioning Christians in Malawi today in an over-religious society where young people are struggling to find their stand in preaching Christ without being ridiculed, he explained.

The first round battles  will take place in the three major cities of Malawi where three finalists will be picked to compete at the national stage.

Sulugwe added that this is an urban ministry outreach which uses the language of hip-hop to present issues that youths deal with in a relevant manner.

“The regional auditions will come soon with the finals projected to be on January 28. We are finishing all the paper work and reaching agreements with prospective partners.

“Once we are done, we will announce all the details, including dates of audition, judges and presenters, among others. But the grand finale in Lilongwe will be graced by Prophet Bushiri and his artists such as James Nee and Onesimus,” he explained. n