Josh One

Music For Me Is A Ministry

JOSEPH PHIRI alias Josh One as he is known in the industry was born on the 25th February 1991. He completed Grade 12 at Lusaka High School in 2008. He plans on going to pursue a course in I.T either at UNZA or NIPA next year.

Josh One, professionally started music in 2007. He started singing in church in the Praise Team at Bread of Life. Music is his passion as a ‘Gospel Artist’. It’s also his calling and ministry because He ministers to people through music. For him music is not just for entertainment purposes but it’s to minister and change lives.

Ntwale: You have entered a competitive industry, what do you intend to do differently?

Josh One: I want to give gospel music a different picture and bring out a different way of doing gospel music. I want to do it with an impact. I want to work closely with the youth and help them realize that they are better things to do. Competition is there but through the competition, I will do my best and definitely people will tell how my project will be. For me I don’t take it to be music but it’s my ministry as I have mentioned and I will give people what they want. Really with gospel music, there is really not any competition because there are very few Artists out there. I am going to work hard to be there on the top. I won’t sit back and relax. I really need to take thousands into the Kingdom of God. That’s my goal.

Ntwale: Which Artists have you worked with so far?

Josh One: I have worked with Jay Sa, Mo, Crystal Shaun, Vitaliano, Romeo J, and Mish. I have also worked with the Praise Team for Bread of Life in Lusaka West.

Josh One: I first worked with a Studio called 30/30 Records. It’s a Studio where I first recognized my talent. I would be in the background, watch people work and give ideas here and there. I then worked with Vitaliano at H.T.M. Records. This is when I took my first step as in recording music. I had my first two songs from there. I have also worked with Willy Jinx at Visual FX. Then on, I went underground. I was then introduced to Drex at Uneeq Records that must have been early this year. All these Studios I have gone to, Uneeq Records has come out to be a professional Studio because they know how to work with an Artist. At Uneeq Records, I have worked with Producers like Drex, Grant, Jay Sa and Cash Roll.

Ntwale: What else do you do apart from music?

Josh One: Right now, I am starting a company with my brother. We intend to set up a Media Company dealing with TV and Radio Advertising. It’s going to be called Oasis Enterprises.

Ntwale: Which Studio are you signed on?

Josh One: I am signed under Uneeq Records but am hoping to get a deal with Doxa Music.

Ntwale: When will your album be out on sale?

Josh One: The album will be out before the end of this year or early next year.

Ntwale: Why are you taking so long to release the album since it’s already ready?

Josh One: This is my first project so we are taking precautions.

Ntwale: So what do you talk about in your debut album called “Confessions” and why did you call it that?

Josh One: On this project “Confessions”, I talk about social issues, how we are supposed to live and interact with each other. I named the album “Confessions” because of the things I have gone through and what others might be going through. It’s not only Confessing in the negative but also how good God has been to us. Confessing is also about thanking God for so many things. It’s a Zed Hip-Hop album that any one can listen to be it the youth or the older generation. The bottom line of the project is a fully packed album for everyone and anyone. Ntwale: So as a Gospel Artist what strength’s do you have?

Josh One: Well I think I have been groomed well. I was in the Praise Team as I have mentioned and thus I have been implanted with wisdom. God is my strength and I fast and I am committed to prayer. These strength’s make me a stronger person in this ministry, seeing that Gospel music is a sensitive industry altogether. One thing about a Gospel Artist is that people always remember the things you used to do in the past and even ask like … “hey so you are a Gospel Artist?”. I used to party a lot before I was saved but all that changed when I became born again, I am a new man now.

Ntwale: Do you think a Gospel Artist can make money in the music industry in Zambia today?

Josh One: Well, they can make money but not as much money as they expect due to Piracy. Gospel music shouldn’t be done for the money because an Artist would get disappointed.

Ntwale: What experiences make you different from the other Zambian Hip-Hop Artists be it Circular or Gospel?

Josh One: The music I do distinguishes me from the next person. I use Hip-Hop to portray a different aspect of life unlike a circular Hip-Hop Artist. My past experiences make me a different Artist altogether. Circular Artists can do a Gospel song but it would sound different and would luck the spirit of God..

Ntwale: There has been a debate going on concerning the notion that Zambian musicians portray a lifestyle in music Videos that they don’t live. What’s your comment?

Josh One: That’s really true. It’s really taking us away from our roots. I was watching a documentary from Ghana. They do Hip-Hop but you can tell from the instruments that it’s from Ghana. Most Zambian Artists are showing through Videos that they are making money but that’s far from the truth. Very few are making that much money. That’s why as for me, I want to be real. In my Videos am portraying the real me in real life. Zambian Artists are not really appreciated and respected. The Artists who really made money are the first Artists who started the new crop of Zambian music such as JK, Danny and others. In those days, their albums sold for a lot of money and Piracy was not rampant but now albums are sold for peanuts.