"When you believe that nothing significant can happen through you, you have said more about your belief in God than you have said about yourself."

No, these profound sentiments are not attributed to some great sage of our times – these are the words of the newest emcee on Kenya’s Gospel hip-hop scene. Allow us to introduce to you the latest member of Kijiji outfit Hip Hope – Christopher Bupe.
These words give a glimpse of the fire that burns within the 23-year old, a man who passionately believes in his significance in God’s plan.
 
Yet it was not always so. Witnessing his family break apart early in life, and his dreams go up in smoke was enough to keep Bupe far from the idea that God cared. Never mind that he was brought up in a Christian family – a wounded self esteem and search for attention marked most of his early life. But at the age of sixteen, things turned around and he gave his life to Christ. Bupe says, of this experience:
 

"I came to realize that Christ never wanted me to live my life for Him - rather He wanted to live His Life through me. He wanted His likeness to be visible through me, not just by words but also by actions and in truth."
 
Although he didn’t know it at the time, God had started preparing Bupe for his eventual calling. He was exposed to music at a tender age, as playing music was compulsory in the junior school he attended in Zambia. Unlike his peers, he realized he could easily make out what rappers were saying in their songs, and in a week, be able to rap them out word for word!
 
He came to Kenya in 1996, and proceeded to undertake his high school studies in Machakos. By then, he was writing songs effortlessly, and realized he enjoyed doing that.
 
Six years down the line, Bupe can look back with thanksgiving at how far he has come. His debut track, Without You, produced at Kijiji Records by David “Blackman” Muthami is a hit waiting to happen. The track features Brian King, lead singer of the Kisima-nominated boy group Votaries. Bupe says that he believes God is using rap to reach out to this generation, one that desperately needs salvation. Based on Psalms 88 and 89, the song is an acknowledgement of the futility of life without God.
 
And he does have a lot to thank God for. Joining Hip Hope has probably been the most bizarre of things to happen to him. If anyone could be labeled Hip Hope’s number one fan, it would be Bupe. He has attended every Hip Hope concert since its start, and has all their music. His biggest dream was to get to record a song with the Hip Hope family of Astar, Rigga, Michelle and Juliani. Little did he know when he walked into Kijiji Records in June 2007 that not only would he get his wish, but he would get an opportunity to join the ranks of those he has so admired.
 
Bupe is a testimony of what can be achieved if one believes and holds on to their dream. He has no doubt that God has only just started using him to mightily influence this generation.

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