Taking a break

• Phyzix turns to God, suspends music career

Hip-hop musician Phyzix has suspended his music career following his decision to re-dedicate his life to Christ as a born again Christian.

The Area 25 hip hop star first got born again in 2003, but he backslid due to his “love for secular hip hop music”.

“When I first got born again, I never stopped playing secular hip hop songs. I loved it so much that it affected my development as a Christian.

“This came at a cost. I was never at peace with myself. I always had a conviction to get back to God. There was a conflict in me. My music career suffered as well because I never did it to my best,” explained Phyzix, real name Noel Chikoleka.

According to the musician, last year, the urge to re-unite with the creator was stronger such that he gave in and made it official to the public in March.

“At the moment, I am not making any kind of music. I want to learn the word of God and become a mature Christian before I turn back to music as a ministry,” he said.

Several gospel rappers, including David Kalilani, have welcomed Phyzix’s decision, encouraging more musicians to follow suit.

“I listened to a radio interview tonight on [MBC]Radio 2 where Phyzix aka Cholapitsa openly declared that he is born again and if it requires that he should give up music to follow Christ and serve Him then he is ready. I wish I could see more people that are hungry for Christ than just music ministry,” wrote Kalilani on his Facebook page.

Born in 1986, Phyzix recorded his first song in 2000, but he broke out onto the music scene with his anthemic hit Cholapitsa.

The ghetto anthem is about venting out anger and pain as well as accepting one’s self. The song was then included in the album The Lone Ranger LP released in 2009.

Phyzix has released four albums and three mixtapes.

Gambawa Suit is his latest album released in 2014.

Phyzix says he now congregates at the Capital City Baptist Church.