{{Short description|Malawian artist}} {{Orphan|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox musical artist | name = Che Wikise | birth_name = Frank Chawinga | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|09|18}} | birth_place = Lilongwe, Malawi | genre = Afrobeat | occupation = Musician<br> songwriter | years_active = 2000–present | spouse = | partner = }}
'''Frank Chawinga''' (born September 18, 1992), best known as '''''Che Wikise''','' is a Malawian singer, songwriter and comedian. In 2019, he was awarded as the artist of the year in UMP Awards<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2019-12-15 |title=Malawi: 2019 UMP Awards announce winners |url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/malawi-2019-ump-awards-announce-winners |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=Music In Africa |language=en}}</ref> and his song "Chikam’phukire" (Back to the sender) was awarded as the song of the year 2019.<ref name=":0" />
Chawinga got national recognition in Malawi in 2017 after he released a song titled "Shabarakatari" (Tongues).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mughogho |first=Lyonike |date=2017-12-19 |title=Wikise aims at Prophets in Shabarakatakali Malawi 24 {{!}} Latest News from Malawi |url=https://malawi24.com/2017/12/19/wikise-aims-prophets-shabarakatakali/ |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=Malawi 24 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":2"/>
He collaborated with Zambian famous artists General Kanene, Chimzy Kelly and Marky2 in a song titled 'Uli mzingati" (How much do you have).
== Background ==
=== Early life === Chawinga was born on 18 September 1992, at Likuni Hospital in Lilongwe. His home village is Hewe in Rumphi District and is a Tumbuka by tribe. He did his primary school in Lilongwe as well as his secondary school education.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nzangaya |first=Archangel |date=2023-06-26 |title=Wikise storms tiktok with 'Male' challenge Malawi 24 {{!}} Latest News from Malawi |url=https://malawi24.com/2023/06/26/wikise-storms-tiktok-with-male-challenge/ |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=Malawi 24 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Nzangaya |first=Archangel |date=2022-05-10 |title=Wikise seeks NGOs' support on 'I can't kill myself' campaign Malawi 24 {{!}} Latest News from Malawi |url=https://malawi24.com/2022/05/10/wikise-seeks-ngos-support-on-i-cant-kill-myself-campaign/ |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=Malawi 24 |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Music career == Chawinga started singing in 2003 and gained national recognition after he released his single titled "Shabarakatari". He released his funny video of Shabarakati where he played Wikise, a pastor, which turned him into a household name. This resulted in him releasing another video under the persona of preacher called "Galamukani" (awake) which saw success in the country.<ref name=":1" />
Chawinga has collaborated with various artists on successful songs such as Yonzo, among others.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Nzangaya |first=Archangel |date=2023-08-24 |title=Yonzo, Wikise win women's hearts with 'Anzao A Bae' Malawi 24 {{!}} Latest News from Malawi |url=https://malawi24.com/2023/08/24/yonzo-wikise-win-womens-hearts-with-anzao-a-bae/ |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=Malawi 24 |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2022, Chawinga called on Non-Governmental Organizations to support his mental health awareness campaign, ‘I Can’t Kill Myself’ which helps people seek mental support to avoid suicide.<ref name=":2" />
== Achievements ==
=== UMP Awards ===
Source:<ref name=":0" />
{{Awards table}} |- |2019 |Himself | Artist of the year |{{won}} |- |2019 |Chikam’phukire | Song of the year |{{won}} {{end}}
== Criticism and controversies == On 2 October 2019, Chawinga was refused to appear on the MBC's program "Made on Monday" by radio presenter and dj, Joy Nathu for music reasons. He claimed that Nathu does not play his songs on the radio whilst he played everyone's. Nathu dinied the alligations and farther banned Chabinga's songs on the radio station.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Mughogho |first=Lyonike |date=2019-08-03 |title=The show goes on: Abusa Wikise aims at blessers, slay queens Malawi 24 {{!}} Latest News from Malawi |url=https://malawi24.com/2019/08/03/the-show-goes-on-abusa-wikise-aims-at-blessers-slay-queens/ |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=Malawi 24 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mughogho |first=Lyonike |date=2019-10-02 |title=No Made on Monday appearance for Wikise as Joy Nathu advises him to try Radio Maria Malawi 24 {{!}} Latest News from Malawi |url=https://malawi24.com/2019/10/02/no-made-on-monday-appearance-for-wikise-as-joy-nathu-advises-him-to-try-radio-maria/ |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=Malawi 24 |language=en-US}}</ref>
In August 2019, Chabinga was reported attacking women in his song Ng’weng’weng’we.<ref name=":3" />
On 10 May 2022, Chawinga's Facebook account was reported to have been hacked. The attackers made several posts about illumination as well as promoting their pages.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kondowe |first=Russell |date=2021-06-20 |title=Wikise's Facebook Page hacked Malawi 24 {{!}} Latest News from Malawi |url=https://malawi24.com/2021/06/20/wikises-facebook-page-hacked/ |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=Malawi 24 |language=en-US}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}} {{Portal bar|Africa|Biography|Music|Malawi}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wikise, Che}} Category:Living people Category:Malawian musicians Category:Malawian singers Category:1992 births Category:Tumbuka people Category:Malawian songwriters Category:Malawian comedians Category:People from Lilongwe Category:21st-century Malawian singers Category:Malawian pop singers Category:Malawian hip-hop singers Category:The UMP Awards winners Category:Afrobeats musicians Category:Malawian singer-songwriters Category:21st-century Malawian male singers Category:Malawian gospel singers