Onesimus

Onesimus Muzik (born Armstrong Sopani Kalua on 29 April 1991 in Blantyre, Malawi) is a Malawian singer, songwriter, dancer and performer known for his work across Afrobeat, Afro-pop, R&B and contemporary African music. Raised in the townships of Chilomoni and Chilobwe, Onesimus has built a career that reflects both his Malawian roots and his engagement with wider African musical cultures.
Before establishing himself as a recording artist, Onesimus began his creative journey as a dancer. He was a member of the God Soldiers Dancing Group (GSoldiers), where he gained recognition after winning the Sprite Dancing Competition in 2006 and again in 2008. During this period, he also discovered his talent for rap music, eventually transitioning into music full-time.
Onesimus later pursued a solo career and began working on an unreleased hip-hop mixtape titled Beyond Limits. In 2012, he released the R&B mixtape BrB and the album Maso, helping establish him as one of Malawi’s emerging contemporary artists. Over time, his sound evolved into a blend of Afrobeat, Afro-pop and melodic contemporary African music, drawing influence from both Southern and West African musical traditions.
His catalogue includes songs such as ‘Controller’, ‘Evidence’, ‘Baba God’, ‘Solomoni’, ‘Without Your Love’, ‘In Love With a DJ’, ‘Sinditha Kumvetsa’, ‘Get Better’ and ‘Ndamusowa’. Known for melodic hooks, rhythmic versatility and multilingual songwriting, Onesimus performs in Chichewa, English, isiZulu and isiXhosa.
Over the years, Onesimus expanded his career beyond Malawi, spending part of his professional journey in South Africa, where he developed collaborations and industry relationships that broadened his continental reach. During this period, he worked with several South African artists, including Vusi Nova. His presence in South Africa also contributed to the growth of his Afrobeat sound and his engagement with wider African audiences.
His collaborations extend across the continent. Onesimus has worked with Nigerian Afrobeat artist Tekno on the song ‘Foyu’ and has also collaborated with artists and producers connected to the Nigerian music scene, positioning him within a growing network of African contemporary musicians. Throughout his career, he has continued to collaborate with artists from different regions of Africa, contributing to his reputation as one of Malawi’s internationally connected artists.
In 2014, Onesimus received nominations at the Malawi Music Awards in the Best Song and Most Popular Ringtone categories, further cementing his growing profile within Malawi’s music industry.
In 2024, Onesimus received several continental accolades, reflecting his growing presence within African contemporary music. His song ‘Controller’ won Song of the Year at the Music Video Africa Awards (MVAA) in Lagos, Nigeria. In the same year, he also received recognition at the HAPA Awards in Tanzania, the Shining Star Africa Awards in South Africa and the African Entertainment Awards USA (AEAUSA), where he won the Best New Act award. He was also named Artist of the Year at the Zikomo Africa Awards.
Known for blending Afrobeats rhythms with Southern African influences, melodic songwriting and multilingual performances, Onesimus has continued to position himself as part of a...