Armstrong Kalua, born on April 29, 1990, and professionally recognised as Onesimus Muzik, is an Afropop singer and songwriter hailing from Malawi but currently based in South Africa. Onesimus, also known as African Butter, embarked on his musical journey at the tender age of 13. His passion for singing continued to flourish as he showcased his talents at various local concerts within his Malawian community. In addition to his vocal prowess, Onesimus is an avid dancer, with his initial foray into the world of dance occurring at the age of 17 when his dance ensemble, God’s Soldiers, emerged victorious in the 2006 Sprite competition.
When we speak of raw talent, Africa is truly blessed, Onesimus is a prodigy with remarkable vocal abilities. His approach to music is nothing short of masterful, displaying unmatched vocal and compositional skills. His video cinematography is nothing less than extraordinary, and his vivid imagination shines through in most of his music videos. Onesimus composes music with love connotations, and he is clearly aware of his spirituality which often mentions God in most of his songs which happens almost randomly.
In recent music releases, Onesimus has notably partnered with celebrated musicians including Vusi Nova, Tekno, and Fredokiss, showcasing his ability to shine alongside established talents. Just a fortnight after dropping “Shuga,” it became evident that this star had made a wise move by stepping into secular music. It would be truly exciting to witness Onesimus collaborating with Zimbabwean artists, as the African music industry continues to embrace a culture of collaboration. Africa stands as a vibrant hub of musical creativity and talent, and it is incumbent upon artists to foster a community that nurtures this innate blessing.
Asked about his music, he had this to say “In many ways, I am rewriting history through my art, and there’s a dominant sense of self-awareness that informs most African art practices,” Onesimus remarked, highlighting his commitment to pushing boundaries and creating innovative and culturally resonant music.
Listen to Onesimus Muzik as we embrace and support African talents