After years of establishing himself in the Malawian music scene through singles and EPs, rapper Toast is finally ready to drop his much-anticipated debut album, “Files”, this coming Friday on July 18, 2025.
The artist says the album is a culmination of his journey and growth in the industry, offering fans a deeper and more personal experience. He explains that while he has previously released smaller projects, this is his first time compiling a full-length album, something he felt was long overdue.
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The project, which took close to a year to complete, began in August 2024 and wrapped up in May 2025. Out of many songs recorded during that period, Toast handpicked 18 tracks that best represent the vision of the album.
He describes “Files” as a reflection of his life. A kind of musical journal, primarily rooted in hip-hop but with room for experimentation.
While the sound is varied, the rapper emphasizes growth as a defining element of this new work. He believes it captures his evolution, both lyrically and stylistically.
“I think I have grown. I will let the audience decide, but I believe I’m heading somewhere with my craft,” Toast said.
Toast, who often blends English and Chichewa, says language is more of a bridge than a barrier in his music. His priority is to communicate effectively with his audience, and he uses whatever language helps achieve that.
In keeping the focus on himself for this debut, Toast opted for limited collaborations, only four in total. Among them is the lead single “How You Do That?” featuring Kim of Diamonds.
Production credits on the album feature a strong lineup, including Viddiex, Kwemo265, Trappybeats, Desert Eagle, and Blupalken. Fans of Toast’s past work can also expect a taste of Caribbean inspired rhythms, with at least two tracks bringing a dancehall vibe to the project.
Speaking on the state of Malawian hip-hop, Toast expressed concern over its current visibility compared to other genres. He believes the scene lacks consistent activity and urges rappers to be more present and engaged.
“It is not as active as the other genres. We need rappers back, outside and rapping. That is what we need,” he said.
However, he remains optimistic, noting a recent uptick in local support for artists, a welcome shift from previous years.
The excitement is also evident among his fans. Kisty Zoto Nkhata, a long-time follower of Toast, shared his anticipation, saying that he can not wait for the album.
“It’s about time we listen to some good music. Seems like it is our turn, hip-hop lovers,” he said.
Challenges still persist. Toast points out that hip-hop has a relatively smaller fan base in Malawi, which often forces artists to pivot toward more commercially viable genres. He sees this as a major reason for stagnation in the local hip-hop space.
Despite his rising profile, Toast rejects the idea that representing Malawi on the global stage should fall on one person’s shoulders.
“It is a group effort. We need to unite to represent, you can’t do it alone,” he said.
As for his aspirations, Toast hopes “Files” will reach far beyond Malawi. He is eager to use digital platforms to push the project internationally and believes today’s interconnected world offers countless opportunities for artists willing to put in the work.
Looking ahead, the rapper keeps his expectations grounded.
“I don’t know what God has in store. I just have to do my best today and let Him handle the future,” he said with a laugh.
With “Files”, Toast is not just telling his story, he is helping write a new chapter for Malawian hip-hop.
