Nearly a decade ago, a little boy from Chilobwe Township in Blantyre had big dreams. He wanted to make it as a musician. Then, as a Form Two secondary school student, Sopani Kalua made his maiden interaction with acoustic music recording studio environment and from that tryst, his first ever song production was borne.
That bold move set in motion a music career which has now birthed stories, glory, fame and recognition both at home and abroad. The milestones he has achieved has rode on the music monikers, first Armstrong and now Onesimus. When he broke out on the scene, the Sinditha Kumvetsa hit-maker announced to the world the name Armstrong.
It carried him through his formative years right to the time of his first record deal under Nd’efeyo Entertainment music label. “I started with writing poems at home. Then I migrated into writing songs.
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Even though I did not even have a girlfriend, but I remember writing love songs. I don’t know where the inspiration came from,” Onesimus told Chill in an interview during the week. From the time of his first release to the present, it seems like forever for the artist and he says he can’t precisely recall the year of his first release.
However, what is still stark in his mind is the determination he had to succeed from the word go. I had a vision to make it big. I have always set goals for myself on where I want to be and who I want to become.” Following his initial exploits under the Armstrong brand, in 2013 he trekked to South Africa after joining Major One Records label.
Under that stewardship, he signed up for South African music label Muthaland Entertainment. His move to South Africa signalled a slight change in his music after he announced that he had become born-again. His music was now more spiritual and with that, the name Onesimus was born.
It was a period which accorded him a regional breakthrough that most of his peers back home could only stare and admire. He toured Botswana, Zambia, Lesotho and Namibia, among other countries. During that sojourn, he brushed shoulders with renowned names on the continent such as Tekno from Nigeria, Diamond Platnumz and South African Vusi Nova.
The influence that he had asserted on the continent did not go unnoticed. In 2019, Onesimus won Best Male Artist Duo/Group at the All Africa Music Awards. He followed that success with the Best Artist of the Year in Southern Africa at the 2022 regional Zikomo Africa Awards.
His days under Major One Records came to a close. His departure in 2020 marked another shift on his music leanings. The Afro-pop star appeared to slowly to retrace his secular music, just like in the days of Armstrong.
Years down the line, the artist has activated a battle between his two personas; Armstrong versus Onesimus. The battle which will culminate into a concert slated for Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe on February 28. Onesimus said the event means a lot to him.
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