Malcolm Rue Interview: Malcolm Rue and his collective, A Tribe Apart, refused to let geographic or musical boundaries limit their gospel vision. Born from a shared passion for ministry, the East African-based collective officially banded together to create a movement set apart from standard industry norms.

“A Tribe Apart is a collection of friends and artists with the same passion for the gospel and unique approach to music,” Malcolm Rue shared. “We usually work together in projects, but in 2023 we got a calling to be set apart for a greater course. That’s where our name came from.”

Their sound is a rich fusion of Afrogospel, Afrobeats, Amapiano, and traditional Western gospel. That versatile blend stemmed directly from Malcolm Rue’s upbringing in Nigeria and the diverse musical influences he absorbed over the years.

“I listened to a lot of music while growing up, which shaped my curiosity while making music, and made me more versatile when it comes to writing and producing,” Rue explained. “Kirk Franklin is a big influence on my sound and what we do with our choir. Mary Mary was also a big influence. Also, the place I grew up in Nigeria—my traditional sound gave me a background, which helped me in infusing my native sound into any genre without losing my identity or expression.”

Bridging Cultures and Reimagining Classic Faith

Operating out of East Africa provided the ideal ecosystem for the collective’s community-driven mission. The region’s deep love for gospel music allowed A Tribe Apart to build a bridge between local dialects and international appeal.

“East Africa is known for their love for the gospel and their culture, which makes us a fertile ground for different genres of gospel music and music ministers around the world,” Malcolm Rue stated. “So we as A Tribe Apart, having a passion for the gospel and a community-based vision to reach the innermost part of our community, infuse our local dialects into our music, bridging the gap between the national and international sound.”

That distinct fusion fully crystallized on their single “GIMME THAT.” The track cleverly placed classic hymns like “Amazing Grace” and “Blessed Assurance” over an infectious Afrobeat groove, aiming to bring foundational truths back into modern rotation.

“GIMME THAT is a reimagination of two of the most popular hymns growing up,” Malcolm Rue said. “The idea came as a hunger to bring back these beautifully deep hymns into our everyday playlist—same words and meaning, but a different approach for daily youthful consumption. Also a reminder in these times that no matter how fast-paced the world is going, God’s standard is sure, and these hymns that strengthened our faith growing up are still effective now.”

Global Collaborations and a Higher Purpose

Navigating an international music career presented its share of hurdles, but Malcolm Rue kept the collective’s core focus anchored in prayer and spiritual discipline rather than chasing platform recognition.

“It’s been an amazing, challenging journey,” he reflected. “I try to focus my mind on the vision and mission. It’s easy to get distracted by the attention or the benefits, so I try to balance art and faith, allowing God to lead and direct rather than just my passion. I always pray that God be the inspiration and the souls to be reached be the motivation. I believe God is calling us to be different, set apart for His use.”

Looking ahead, A Tribe Apart is preparing a massive global expansion. The collective is actively constructing a collaborative album designed to reach audiences across multiple languages and continents.

“We are currently working on a collaborative album, which would also feature a few artists—both international and local,” Malcolm Rue revealed. “We hope to preach the gospel through our music and collaborating with ministers from around the world in different languages: Portuguese, Spanish, English, Swahili, Igbo, Yoruba, etc. The gospel needs to be spread across the whole world—that’s the mission.”

What did you think about this Malcolm Rue Interview? Have you heard his group A Tribe Apart?

Listen to Malcolm Rue & A Tribe Apart:

About Malcolm Rue

Malcolm Rue is a Ugandan-based Nigerian recording artist and producer. His genre-defying sound seamlessly mixes Afrobeat with rap, pop, jazz, and urban fusion. Known for meticulous production, Rue blends rich choir vocals with soulful percussion. These rich musical elements carry his sharply written, faith-forward lyrics. His 2022 debut studio album, Yellow Soul, earned massive airplay. The album established him as a premier innovator in Afro-gospel music. Over his rising career, Rue has become a highly collaborative international force. He works alongside global acts like Canton Jones, Dre Murray, Grey Cox, and S.O. He also collaborates with prominent Latino Christian artists like Destiny Marko, Ada Betsabe, and Paola Carla.

• Instagram: @malcolm_rue

About A Tribe Apart

Inspired by a vast array of musical landscapes, A Tribe Apart is a premier Ugandan gospel collective. The group first captured widespread attention through their stellar contributions to Malcolm Rue’s Yellow Soul album. Widely recognized as East Africa’s next big band, they possess a rare musical versatility. They effortlessly execute styles ranging from high-energy Amapiano and Afrobeats to traditional Western gospel. Their mission centers on creating unique, beautiful, and culturally rich music. Through these regional styles, they deliver an uncompromising message of hope.

• Instagram: @atribeapart_

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