Tay Grin

BIO

Limbani Kalilani (born 15 June 1984) is a Malawian hip hop artist better known by his stage name Tay Grin. His music targets the youth, urging them to take pride in their nation and culture. To take responsibility, utilize their God-given talents and find value in contributing to a positive and brighter future. Whilst emphasizing the need to eradicate negativity and low self-esteem. Tay Grin believes that each step, each decision, each enterprise must be a positive one and one that will enable and empower at least one other person. In the words of legendary “edutainment” guru KRS-One, “each one must teach each one”. Entertainment merged with education is a medium for speaking to the youth in a language they are most comfortable with, without feeling preached to or lectured at.
Honing his rap skills since his teen, Tay has been influenced by legendary rappers like Jay-Z, KRS 1, B.I.G and Tupac. To find his individual and distinctive rap voice however, Tay looked inwards at his African soul and found that the roots of his African heritage and Malawian culture gave him his true and unique style that complemented the original American hip-hop template.

Tay has performed at several high profile events including the New State House (2007) and twice on the hit show Big Brother Africa (2007/2008). He became the first Malawian to perform live for over a million viewers across Africa on this show. Due to his outstanding work over the past few years, Tay was selected to represent the SADC Region on a live Channel O show for Africa Day on May 23, 2008. Furthermore, Tay Grin was chosen as the Coca-Cola brand ambassador for a promotion campaign in Malawi in 2008. The same year, Tay was selected as one of the few African artists to re-record a song titled ‘Young Gifted & Black’, originally composed by Nina Simone and used as Channel O theme song. The song included legendary South African musicians such as Hugh Masekela and Yvonne Chaka Chaka.

Tay’s first single ‘Stand Up’, a wholly Malawian produced song and video, first aired on Channel O in March 2007. Tay’s conscious and positive music is popular both in Malawi and abroad. He gained respect and recognition as evidenced by his Channel O Spirit of Africa nominations for ‘Stand Up’.
In 2012, Young People in International Affairs (YPIA) selected Tay Grin as one of Africans Top 35 under the age of 35 making an impact “in their respective countries, on the continent and in the wider world.” Tay was named among the Top 100 Most Influential Personalities in the World, positioned on Number 88 by UK’s C.Hub Magazine in January 2015.

ALBUMS

"Proudly African"
‘Proudly African’ features 12 tracks (incl. the hit singles ‘Nyau Music’ featuring MTV AWARD winning artist Nameless from Kenya, ‘2 by 2’, ‘Kaliche’ featuring Kmillian of Zambia and ‘Stand Up’. The album was engineered and mastered by internationally recognized premier producer Tapuwa “Tapps” Bandawe.

"Festive Vibes"
In 2017 Tay Grin surprised his fans when he released an Extended Play (EP) titled “Festive Vibes”. The project saw the accomplished Malawian music artist putting out a six-track project that featured multitalented Malawian singer/producer Sonyezo, Zambia’s Jay Rox, Ugandan Bebe Cool and Grenade as well as Gemini Major, South Africa-based Malawian rapper-cum-producer.
Tay Grin has been releasing international hits that have positioned him as one of the best artists in Southern Africa; working with the likes of Nigerian music heavyweights 2Baba aka 2Face on a song “Chipapapa” and Orezi on a song “Kanda” which also features Sonye, South Africa’s Da L.E.S on a song titled “Boombastic" also featuring Beenie Man (Jamaica), Buffalo Soulja (Zimbabwe) and Zani Challe (Malawi), the 2017 hit “TOLA” featuring Tanzania’s Vanessa Mdee, which was followed the banger “Lubwa” in 2018 and “Too Much” in 2020.
Awards & Nominations
Tay Grin’s Channel O Music Awards Nominations make him the first Malawian Musician to ever receive nominations for the Channel O Spirit of Africa Music Awards.
The music video for “Stand Up” received the following nominations:
• Best Male (Channel O Awards 2007)
• Best Southern African Video (Channel O Awards 2007)
• Best Hip-Hop Video (Channel O Awards 2007)
The music video for “2 by 2” received the following nominations:
• Best Southern African Video (Channel O Awards 2008)
The music video for “Moto” received the following nominations:
• Best Southern African Video (Channel O Awards 2009)
• Best Male (Channel O Awards 2009)
The music video for “My Type of Guy” featuring Gal Level (Namibia) and Buffalo Souljah (Zimbabwe) received the following nominations.
• Best Duo or Group (Winners Channel O Awards 2009)
This award makes Tay Grin the first and only Malawian to win a Channel O music award
The music video for “The Beach” received the following nominations and awards:
• Best Video (BEFFTA 2014, UK)
• Best International African ACT (Winner of BEFFTA 2014, UK)
• Best Hip-Hop Artist Malawi (Winner of the Best Hip-Hop award)
The music video for “Chipapapa” received the following nominations and awards:
• Best African Traditional Video (WatsUp TV Africa Music Video Awards 2016)
• Best Music Video (UMP Awards 2016)
• Artist of the Year (UMP Awards 2016)
• Best Music Video (Winner Nyasa Music Awards 2017)
• Best Single (Nyasa Music Awards 2017)
• Best Live Act (Winner Nyasa Music Awards 2017)
• Best Male (Winner Nyasa Music Awards 2017)
The song “Kanda” featuring Sonye & Orezi received the following nominations:
• Song of the Year (Nyasa Music Awards 2017)
The song “Lubwa” received the following nominations and awards:
• Music Video of the Year (UMP Awards 2018)
• Song of the Year (Winner UMP Awards 2018)
• Best Live Act (UMP Awards 2018)
• Artist of the Year (UMP 2018)
Honours
Young African Emerging Politician (London Political Summit & Awards 2019)
Ambassador: Malawi & SADC (London Political Summit & Awards 2020)
International Collaborations
Sway (UK)
Brick & Lace (Jamaica)
Naeto C (Nigeria)
Ice Prince (Nigeria)
2 Face (Nigeria)
Wahu (Kenya)
Nameless (Kenya)
Double HP (South Africa)
Orezi (Nigeria)
Vanessa Mdee (Tanzania)
Bebe Cool (Uganda)
Ric Hassan (Nigeria)
Seye (UK)
The Very Best (UK)
Da L.E.S (South Africa)
Beenie Man (Jamaica)
Jay Rox (Zambia)
Grenade (Uganda)
Gemini Major (Malawi/South Africa)
Roberto Zambia
"Different Shades of Grin"
Tay Grin is currently working on his third full album called “Different Shades of Grin”, with the first single “Global Message” coming out on 28 September 2020 followed by “Joseph Kalilani” on June 14, 2021.