Real Elements
Encyclopedia
The Real Elements is a Malawian hip-hop band that gained notoriety in the 1990s and 2000s. in Malawi
. The group consisted of Marvel, Plan B, Stix, and Q. The group holds a special place in the Malawian music industry because it propagated Malawian hip-hop and paved the way for the Malawian hip-hop genre at a time when they were a few hip-hop artists in Malawi. There music was considered the cutting edge in the Malawi music scene. Critics argue that is the best urban group that has come out of Malawi. They performed in Malawi and their music was also featured on Channel O
beaming Malawian hip-hop for the first time to a Pan African audience. In their UK tours they opened for UK hip-hop artists like Blak Twang
and Terri Walker
. It was just as their international career was taking off that the group separated. Stix decided to leave the music industry (albeit three pending UK contracts) and follow religious pursuits. The group currently is pursuing personal interests.
They inspired Malawian hip-hop artists like Shaswish, Erasto, Advokett and Tay Grin
. They also inspired Malawian rap groups like, the Blind Vision.
As a pioneer of local (African) hip-hop, he made an impact after the release of the Real Elements’ album "I came".
Marvel’s album has 12 songs in which he features Stix, Plan B, Dominic 1, The Bomb, Power 101’s Drew and Napi.
. Kimba Anderson (Mutanda) was one of the co-founders of the group. After the group separated, he continued to perform in the UK. He performed at the Afrolution African hip Hop Festival in the UK. He also performed at the African Beach Party in the UK 2006.
He now is a part of a rock and techno UK band called Subsource. He wrote and performed on the track "The Reason (Parasite)" which listed on SKY channel 3's playlist in 2009.
Kimba has performed at the Lake of Stars Festival.
He hosts other charity events in Malawi as well.
In addition to working with Real Elements, Stix lend his musical talents to other bands. Stix wrote the lyrics for "Parasite" for the UK group, Subsource
in 2004. The track scored Subsource's first synchronisation deal - with Big Up Productions, a rock climbing video production company. The song was featured on "Dosage Volume 3" and "Parasite" was used as the lead track on the trailers. In 2008, the track was picked up by US network CBS
for its season 5 premiere of primetime show "Numb3rs
".
At the time he was still performing with Real Elements in 2004, Stix was to reach the pinnacle of his hip-hop career in Malawi and had 3 pending deals waiting for him in the UK. He instead decided to pursue a religious calling and become a Malawian gospel music rapper. He now goes by his biblical name, David. He has released gospel albums, Spirit Filled Volumes 1 & 2.
Popular international Malawian artist, Tay Grin
(Limbani Kalinani), is cousin to Kalinani.
(LIPA). He was the first African to ever be accepted. After LIPA he went on to the Academy of Contemporary Music
(ACM). He now continues to perform gospel rap music and spoken word in Malawi under Rush Records. He is also writes poetry.
Malewezi founded Abstrak Beatz Entertainment (ABE) a recording and music contracts company harnessing the development for the talented upcoming artists in Malawi.
The group, Real Elements travelled extensively and by mid 2002 the group’s members found themselves in London developing their song writing skills and recording. During their UK tour, they showcased their talent across London and opened shows for such hip-hop artists as Blak Twang
and Terri Walker
. Their song ‘These Elements’ was shot in London in 2004 and was featured prominently on Channel O
, Africa's most premier music channel.
Stix Kimba also did some collaborative work with the UK group, Subsource
in 2004 to help produce, "Parasite". The track scored Subsource's first synchronisation deal - with Big Up Productions, a rock climbing video production company. Kimba later joined Subsource after Real Elements disbanded. Kimba provided the lyrics for the remixed version of "Parasite" in 2009, now called "The Reason (Parasite)".
The song listed on Sky 3 channel's playlist.
Malawi
The Republic of Malawi is a landlocked country in southeast Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland. It is bordered by Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast, and Mozambique on the east, south and west. The country is separated from Tanzania and Mozambique by Lake Malawi. Its size...
. The group consisted of Marvel, Plan B, Stix, and Q. The group holds a special place in the Malawian music industry because it propagated Malawian hip-hop and paved the way for the Malawian hip-hop genre at a time when they were a few hip-hop artists in Malawi. There music was considered the cutting edge in the Malawi music scene. Critics argue that is the best urban group that has come out of Malawi. They performed in Malawi and their music was also featured on Channel O
Channel O
Channel O is a South African-based music channel which first started transmission in the early nineties. Its main concept is African music in Africa and the diaspora. Over the years, this music channel has made household names of its presenters such as Mimi, Nonhle, KB, Miss Candy.Channel O can be...
beaming Malawian hip-hop for the first time to a Pan African audience. In their UK tours they opened for UK hip-hop artists like Blak Twang
Blak Twang
Blak Twang who also uses the pseudonyms of Taipanic and Tony Rotton, is a British rapper who grew up in Deptford, Lewisham, South East London...
and Terri Walker
Terri Walker
Terri Walker is an English R&B and soul singer–songwriter. Walker has released three albums in the United Kingdom, Untitled, L.O.V.E, and I Am. She also provided the majority of the vocals for Shanks & Bigfoot's debut album Swings & Roundabouts...
. It was just as their international career was taking off that the group separated. Stix decided to leave the music industry (albeit three pending UK contracts) and follow religious pursuits. The group currently is pursuing personal interests.
They inspired Malawian hip-hop artists like Shaswish, Erasto, Advokett and Tay Grin
Tay Grin
Tay Grin, real name Limbani Kalilani, is a best-selling Malawian hip hop artist. He is popularly known by his best selling album,Proudly African...
. They also inspired Malawian rap groups like, the Blind Vision.
Marvel (Lewis Chikuni)
The influential member of the Real Elements released his solo album 'The Pride is slated' on June 3.As a pioneer of local (African) hip-hop, he made an impact after the release of the Real Elements’ album "I came".
Marvel’s album has 12 songs in which he features Stix, Plan B, Dominic 1, The Bomb, Power 101’s Drew and Napi.
Plan B (Kimba Anderson)
Kimba was born in Malawi and attended Saint Andrews International High SchoolSaint Andrews International High School
Saint Andrews International School in Blantyre, Malawi was founded 1958 as a high school. It was founded by the Church of Scotland Mission in Blantyre.-History:...
. Kimba Anderson (Mutanda) was one of the co-founders of the group. After the group separated, he continued to perform in the UK. He performed at the Afrolution African hip Hop Festival in the UK. He also performed at the African Beach Party in the UK 2006.
He now is a part of a rock and techno UK band called Subsource. He wrote and performed on the track "The Reason (Parasite)" which listed on SKY channel 3's playlist in 2009.
Kimba has performed at the Lake of Stars Festival.
He hosts other charity events in Malawi as well.
Stix/Linguistix (Jerome Kalinani)
He started out with the name Linguistix before shortening it to Stix. He was considered to be one of the top Malawian rappers at that time. He was embraced for his clever wordplay, clear lyrics and good quality of delivery in the Malawian music industry.In addition to working with Real Elements, Stix lend his musical talents to other bands. Stix wrote the lyrics for "Parasite" for the UK group, Subsource
Subsource
Subsource are a British electronic rock band formed in the 2000s. Their current sound is a fusion of dubstep and punk/metal genres and their lyrics have a theme of social commentary...
in 2004. The track scored Subsource's first synchronisation deal - with Big Up Productions, a rock climbing video production company. The song was featured on "Dosage Volume 3" and "Parasite" was used as the lead track on the trailers. In 2008, the track was picked up by US network CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
for its season 5 premiere of primetime show "Numb3rs
NUMB3RS
Numb3rs is an American television drama which premiered on CBS on January 23, 2005, and concluded on March 12, 2010. The series was created by Nicolas Falacci and Cheryl Heuton, and follows FBI Special Agent Don Eppes and his mathematical genius brother, Charlie Eppes , who helps Don solve crimes...
".
At the time he was still performing with Real Elements in 2004, Stix was to reach the pinnacle of his hip-hop career in Malawi and had 3 pending deals waiting for him in the UK. He instead decided to pursue a religious calling and become a Malawian gospel music rapper. He now goes by his biblical name, David. He has released gospel albums, Spirit Filled Volumes 1 & 2.
Popular international Malawian artist, Tay Grin
Tay Grin
Tay Grin, real name Limbani Kalilani, is a best-selling Malawian hip hop artist. He is popularly known by his best selling album,Proudly African...
(Limbani Kalinani), is cousin to Kalinani.
Producer Q (Quabaniso Malewezi)
Quabaniso Malewezi was the producer and lyricist of the group. After the group separated, Q went to study music in the U.K. at Liverpool Institute for Performing ArtsLiverpool Institute for Performing Arts
The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts is, despite its young age, one of the United Kingdom's leading institutions for the performing arts. The university is situated in the English city of Liverpool...
(LIPA). He was the first African to ever be accepted. After LIPA he went on to the Academy of Contemporary Music
Academy of Contemporary Music
The Academy of Contemporary Music is a music academy located in Guildford, Surrey, England.The school differs from more traditional music academies by its focus on rock and pop music, and its vocational approach...
(ACM). He now continues to perform gospel rap music and spoken word in Malawi under Rush Records. He is also writes poetry.
Malewezi founded Abstrak Beatz Entertainment (ABE) a recording and music contracts company harnessing the development for the talented upcoming artists in Malawi.
Music career
The music style of the Real Elements blends American hip-hop rhythms in a Malawian language of chichewa. The issue that the group raps about focuses on Africa and Malawi. Their music focuses on conscious music. Their first release as a group was a four song E.P entitled 'The I Came E.P'. There music was popular in Malawi and in other African countries like Ghana.The group, Real Elements travelled extensively and by mid 2002 the group’s members found themselves in London developing their song writing skills and recording. During their UK tour, they showcased their talent across London and opened shows for such hip-hop artists as Blak Twang
Blak Twang
Blak Twang who also uses the pseudonyms of Taipanic and Tony Rotton, is a British rapper who grew up in Deptford, Lewisham, South East London...
and Terri Walker
Terri Walker
Terri Walker is an English R&B and soul singer–songwriter. Walker has released three albums in the United Kingdom, Untitled, L.O.V.E, and I Am. She also provided the majority of the vocals for Shanks & Bigfoot's debut album Swings & Roundabouts...
. Their song ‘These Elements’ was shot in London in 2004 and was featured prominently on Channel O
Channel O
Channel O is a South African-based music channel which first started transmission in the early nineties. Its main concept is African music in Africa and the diaspora. Over the years, this music channel has made household names of its presenters such as Mimi, Nonhle, KB, Miss Candy.Channel O can be...
, Africa's most premier music channel.
Stix Kimba also did some collaborative work with the UK group, Subsource
Subsource
Subsource are a British electronic rock band formed in the 2000s. Their current sound is a fusion of dubstep and punk/metal genres and their lyrics have a theme of social commentary...
in 2004 to help produce, "Parasite". The track scored Subsource's first synchronisation deal - with Big Up Productions, a rock climbing video production company. Kimba later joined Subsource after Real Elements disbanded. Kimba provided the lyrics for the remixed version of "Parasite" in 2009, now called "The Reason (Parasite)".
The song listed on Sky 3 channel's playlist.
Singles
- The Other Side (Nokia Hype Sessions) - 2006
- Amazing[Featuring Ange](Afrolution)- 2005
Music videos
- 'These Elements' Video
- 'The Reason (Parasite)' Video [ feat. Kimba Mutanda].