Rapper brings positive messages into the limelight

Jun 30, 2014 | 1:15 AM

paNOW Staff

A new music video is being shot right here in Prince Albert.

Rap artist Rendal Munnings, a.k.a. Chosen 1, said he first got into performing music when he was 13 years old.

“I was always into music and I wanted to get away from the secular world and do more positive music,” he said.

“It was pretty rough at the beginning part of it but I never stopped. I never gave up … I just kept pushing at doing what I wanted to do.”

He decided to shoot a music video for a song off his new album at Crossroads Pentecostal Assembly at 1510 Olive Diefenbaker Dr. with members of the congregation.

At the age of 18, Munnings said he was in a car accident. The vehicle rolled multiple times, but Munnings escaped completely unscathed, without a bruise, scratch or injury. Because of this, Munnings said God is his main inspiration.

“I almost lost my life … I asked God, I said, ‘Why did you save me?’ and he said, ‘Because you’re chosen for this generation. For this young generation,” said Munnings.

His other inspiration is a very well-known artist.

“Bob Marley was also my inspiration because his music was always positive, it was outreach, it was touching,” he said.

According to Munnings, his main musical genres are rap gospel, reggae gospel, R&B gospel and hip-hop gospel, but he said he’s also starting to try out pop and rock gospel.

“I always wanted to be that type of artist where I reach out to the world and just do positive stuff,” he said.

Munnings said his goal is to be an international artist. 

“Just go throughout the world just spreading the word and positive music and godly music and just showing people how to love,” he said. 

Two years ago, Munnings said he came to Prince Albert from the Bahamas to visit his stepbrothers. He went home, packed up and got his work visa.

“I just love it. I love Canada. I love the beautiful cities I’ve been through, just travelling around,” he said.

“I see a lot of kids here, they need someone who can reach out to them I guess, a role model. So whatever it takes to get that done and to reach out to young kids, that’s what I want to do.”

In the near future, Munnings said he wants to get his permanent residency and start touring around the country, and eventually internationally.

His latest album is called The Encouragement and it’s on iTunes. His new album called Adversity will be available soon.

“To young kids out there, if you have a dream keep pushing that dream, don’t give up,” he said.

“You can make it. If I can make it, you can make it.”

To see another music video by Munnings, “Why we can’t get along,” click here.

asoloducha@rawlco.com

On Twitter: @alex_soloducha