Mathias Walichupa: The gospel star who’s making waves with soulful hits

In the world of gospel music, artistes have long harnessed the power of music to inspire and uplift through the gospel's message.

Tanzanian gospel artiste Mathias Walichupa is carrying this tradition forward with a unique voice and a fervent commitment to his craft.

Known for hits like Amen, Ni Wewe, and the collaborative track Bado Nahema with Vedastus, Walichupa is making waves in the gospel scene.

His music creates an opportunity for worship and offers a profound space for expressing gratitude for God’s blessings.

His goal is to touch hearts across different faiths with his music, conveying a message of divine work to his audience.

“The music I create is unique and serves as a vessel for delivering God's message. It conveys various types of messages designed to reach those God intends to touch," Walichupa shares.

He adds that through his music, he gets to offer inspiration, comfort, and encouragement, "while also providing teachings, warnings, and guidance to bring people back to God's word.”

Born and raised in Rukwa Region’s, Sumbawanga Municipality, Walichupa’s journey in music was deeply influenced by gospel artiste Mwasa Mwasomola, who is a prominent figure in Sumbawanga.

“Mwasa Mwasomola inspired me a lot. He is a renowned singer in Sumbawanga Municipality and the surrounding areas. From him, I gained immense knowledge and guidance, and he became a spiritual mentor for my music and ministry, teaching me how to conduct myself,” he narrates.

Aside from Mwasomola, Walichupa draws inspiration from many other exceptional artistes worldwide.

“Every day, as I listen to their work, I discover new lessons and insights,” he adds.

Walichupa’s musical journey began in 2009, and since then, he has explored various aspects of music, including learning to play different instruments.

His passion for music was ignited at an early age, leading him through various learning experiences such as dance sessions, vocal training, and lyric studies.

“Each of these experiences has profoundly inspired and shaped my musical endeavors,” he explains.

In addition to his vocal talent, Walichupa is also a skilled producer, adept at mastering and mixing his own music.

Despite facing numerous challenges, he remains resolute and hopeful, adhering to the advice he has lived by since 2009: ‘Never give up.’

“The sole piece of advice I received was to persist and never give up, as the journey from 2009 to the present has been lengthy. Throughout, people have consistently encouraged me to produce high-quality work,” he shares.

Looking to the future, Walichupa dreams of a united music industry where artists collaborate to create numerous opportunities.

He says, “I would aim to promote unity and break down barriers caused by personal connections."

Walichupa believes "by fostering collaboration, we can generate new ideas and enable people to learn and grow from one another.”

Interestingly, the gospel artiste has a background in clinical medicine. He told The Beat that, if not for his music career, he would likely be working as a doctor, offering medical care.

Despite his prominent role in gospel music, Walichupa considers his fans an integral part of his journey.

“All I can express to my fans is my deep gratitude for their daily support. I believe that God has wonderful plans for their lives, just as they wish the best for me,” he says.

As he looks ahead,  MathWalichupa is excited about his upcoming projects. He plans to release two new projects specifically for his loyal fans and is focused on expanding his reach.

“We are working on hosting special music and prayer events, along with organising study sessions and teachings,” he explains.

Mathias Walichupa’s dedication to his craft and his vision for the future are set to make a significant impact on the gospel music industry, inspiring many along the way.