Psalm 1, the Christ Junkie

Psalm 1, the Christ Junkie
Psalm 1 at ALOUD 2016
Background information
Birth name	Samuel Koyire Kobina
Also known as	Uno, Psalm Uno, Spoken Word King, Psalm One, Vimming, Mr. Attitude
Born	(1991-11-19) November 19, 1991 Ridge, Accra
Origin	Ghana, West Africa
Genres	Rap, hip hop, poetry, spoken word, afro pop, gospel
Occupation(s)	rapper, poet, spoken-word artist, musician, artist coach, event organiser
Years active	2009–present
Labels	House of Vimming
Associated acts	Majid Michel, Kafui Dey, Ian Jazzi, Heavens Connection, Timothy Bentum, Kingzkid
Website	www.mrpsalm1.com

Samuel Koyire Kobina,^[1] popularly known as Psalm 1, the Christ Junkie^[2] is an award-winning Ghanaian poet^[3] rapper, spoken word artist, musician, artist coach and event organizer. He is one of the few along with the rap group Heavens Connection^[4] to have pioneered a new wave of gospel music known as gospel-rap or Christian rap also referred to as urban gospel music in Ghana.^[5] With his group Heavens Connection, they introduced Ghanaian youth to gospel rap/hip-hop locally. He has toured and performed at more than 350 shows since 2009. In 2016, he did a record 74 shows and is the most booked poet or spoken word artist and urban gospel artist in Ghana since 2013 with at least 50 shows per year. He is also a member of a Christian creative arts group, SASA (Speaker's and Singer's Association).^[6][7] Often credited as the face and one who led the pioneering and popularising of Spoken Word poetry and gospel rap in KNUST. He also holds the record of the highest number of shows done in a semester in KNUST (30) achieved in his last semester in 2014.

Education

Psalm 1 started schooling at Action Education Centre (Action Chapel International owned school) and moved to Garrison Basic School at Burma - Camp to further his studies and complete junior high school. He furthered his education at St. Thomas Aquinas Senior High School in cantonments. Over there, he was a member of his school choir, a member of the school basketball team from 2008 - 2009 that won the 2008 sprite ball tournament, and a prefect (compound supervisor). He graduated and moved to Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology where he majored in English and minored in Sociology.

Style

Psalm 1 is very witty, extremely lyrical and satirical. He is known for his extended metaphors, entendres, "bar- for- bar" punchlines and controversial but funny references.

He always glorifies Jesus Christ through his lyrics with the aim of soul winning, inspiring and encouraging others, especially the youth, to serve God with their talents and gifts.

He's critically acclaimed and known for " killing shows" with his stage performances and ability to move a crowd with his freestyles, punchlines and catchy choruses. "Uno" functions as a poet, Spoken word artist, rapper and musician but usually blends rap and spoken word which he refers to as Spoken-Rap. He always performs live either on a programmed beat or preferably with a band. He's never mimed in his entire career.^[8]

History

In 2009, Psalm 1 joined the group Heavens Connection^[9] as one of its 2nd generation members. The group, established in 2005 went on hiatus after some years as members relocated, travelled to school amongst others. Notable among the 1st generation is Ian Jazzi. After joining the group, Psalm 1 sat back to help the group with stage craft and performances. Rehearsal breaks allowed Psalm 1 to casually freestyle and rapped verses or lines he had written down. He was always motivated by then group leader Jae Milla to rap and join the group on stage which he always rejected. However, in the last quarter of 2009, Jae Milla along with the group succeeded in convincing Psalm 1 to feature on a song performed but never released "Jehovah Dey Bee" after hearing his verse. This gave Psalm 1 his first performance on stage which did not turn out great and so he was put on probation to help him develop his craft and master his stage performance. Psalm 1 developed himself during this period and bounced back at Action Chapel International's youth outreach in Ghana Christian High School in 2010 which he was adjudged best performer by his group members. Months later he helped put together the hit single "Chaley More Vim"^[10] and kept performing and touring with the group until in 2013, after releasing "Mr.Attitude"^[11] the group went on hiatus. He released his first single "Encore",^[12] a re fix of Jay Z's song of the same title to critical success in 2011. He followed up with "Insomnia" also in 2011. He further released his rendition of "How Great is our God"^[13][14] originally by Chris Tomlin in 2013.^[15] Since 2013, Psalm 1 has been performing and is a constant headliner of shows be it at churches, big gospel concerts, carnivals, schools, clubs, pubs, seminars, and cooperate events.^[16]

Spoken word

In 2011, Psalm 1^[17] officially started focusing on spoken word and poetry which he started championing in Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and Kumasi^[18] even though he had casually been doing it in 2010. With his group, SASA (Speaker's and Singer's Association), they introduced spoken word to the student populace. However, in 2012 with MoonlightCafe,^[19] Psalm 1 was able to reach out to majority of the student populace most of which did not know much about the art form and his popularity skyrocketed after being named best performer. In 2013, Psalm 1 was the most sort after artist in KNUST up till he graduated in 2014. In 2014, he staged his first concert, Psalm 1 and Friends to a great success and was booked by the former pro-vice chancellor of KNUST, Professor Samuel Nii Odai, to entertain students and guests at the opening of the West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use which had the former vice chancellor, Professor Otoo Ellis present.^[20]

Concerts and tours

• 2017 Grace Period Concert with Majid Michel, Timothy Bentum, Pascal Amanfo, Ps. Isaiah Fosu Kwakye
• 2017: Vimming Concert 2.0 with Kafui Dey, Jeremie Van Garshong, Timothy Bentum ^{[21][22][23][24]}
• 2017: SASA Poetry in Ambience with Psalm 1^[25]
• 2016: Vimming Concert^[26][27][28]
• 2016: Vimming Christmas Tour
• 2015: Psalm 1 and Friends Concert^[29]
• 2015: Psalm 1 and Friends Tour
• 2014: Psalm 1 and Friends Concert

Awards and honours

• 2017: Spoken Word Artist of the Year, UrbanGospelTunez^[30]
• 2016: Spoken Word Artist of the Year, HPMA AWARDS^[31]
• 2016: Spoken Word Artist of the Year, UrbanGospelTunez^[32]
• 2014: Asek Poet of the Year, Knust.^[33]
• 2014: Asek Most Talented Student of the Year, Knust.

References