Early Life

Edward Chikhwenda Jnr. started his music journey in 2006 after being introduced to the Fruity Loops studio DAW through his friend Siggz Waynz.

He recorded his first studio song in 2009 at Gunz Records in Chiwembe with DJ Thirst and was about to launch his music career as a secular artist with his single "We fly boy". At the time, TNO was formerly known as Eddy c, which was short for his government name but he was battling spiritually because of his upbringing in the church. He felt God calling him to use his gift to praise him but felt unworthy because of his imperfections.

In a cry for help, he recorded a "gospel" song titled "I need you" when he had encountered Christian Hip Hop at a Youth Fest at Blantyre Baptist. He was inspired by Lecrae's song "Praying for you" and he became torn between the gospel and secular industry. During this crossroads, he had a chat with his cousin C-Scripture who listened to the song "I need you" and convinced TNO that he really needed God in his life.

In 2011, when TNO got selected to pursue his studies at the University of Malawi, the Polytechnic, now known as MUBAS, he finally committed his life to Jesus Christ at a Christian gathering of the youth wing of Fountain of Victory, a.k.a Christian Gang.

The Gospel music journey

During the year 2011, TNO officially changed his rap name from Eddy c to TNO which is short for "Tornado" to reflect the change that had happened in his spiritual life. The Tornado was a representation of what symbolically happened to him inspired by John 3:8 and a fascination of TNO with English Tongue Twisters. Instead of Twister which was a name of an already famous secular rapper, he chose TNO to represent the wind element just like rappers he got to know in the CHH industry e.g. "Flame". TNO became a symbol of impact just like a Tornado does not pass by without leaving a mark wherever it goes.

His debut project "The Revelation Mixtape" was recorded and produced solely by TNO in his bedroom studio in Chinyonga in the same year he got saved in 2011. The mixtape featured songs like "Christ is the boss", "Joy" and the theme song of the project "Don't they know" which was the heart behind the project. At this time, TNO just wanted everyone to get to experience the salvation of God that he had just experienced and it was the foundation for his gospel rap career.

From 2011 till date, TNO has remained an artist that has branded himself as a Christ centered musician. He has been known mostly for consistently releasing music every year with 2 studio albums under his belt; Crazy for God(2016) and Umunthu(2017). His music is largely influenced by the Western culture of Christian Hip Hop and African culture through artists like Lecrae, Da' T.R.U.T.H, David Kalilani, Lawi & Sjava.

Musical Impact

TNO has collaborated with many artists across Malawi and a few beyond. In 2012, he was one of the pioneers of the group on MUBAS campus known as Cornerstone Muziq and produced the theme song for Polytechnic SCOM which became the anthem for the group at the time; Doing the Word. The video was shot and directed by his close friend at the time VJ Ice and brought fame and popularity to the group across the nation as it enjoyed airplay on major local TV stations.

In 2013, TNO participated in the Project April Nyau Nyau remix competition organised by Timoteo Malawi and was in the top 3 contestants of which Suffix emerged the winner and Evanz Muzik was the second runner up. He collaborated with Suffix on his single "Red card" shortly after the project and worked with several other artists at the time when his gospel rap career started to take off.

In 2014, TNO performed at the IUCC conference under Fountain of Victory with his electric dance music song "Son of God" which propelled him to another level on the stage performance side of music. He later worked on a mixtape in the same year titled "2nd Corinthians 5 mixtape" as he was waiting for the finalization of his first EP and the mixtape received great reviews from Gospel Hip Hop legends like The Gospel, Aubrey Mvula.

Up to this point, TNO's music had all been available for free until he invested in the production of his first EP; "Less of me more of God", recorded by Dalitso Msosa and Black Flame. This EP was for sale and made available in 2015 but did not get the same reception as his previous albums. Despite the setback, TNO appeared on the Polytechnic Victory Cypher in the same year and gained recognition on the mainstream industry.

In 2016, TNO released his highly acclaimed music album "Crazy for God" which he released for free on his birthday 15 April 2016. By God's grace he shot his first solo music video for a single off the album "I'm dependent" which was shot and directed by Davis Msumba of Y4C pictures for free. In the same year, TNO collaborated with artists like Praise Umali & Mista Gray to release the first ever Blantyre Gospel Cypher which was produced by Shats and shot and directed by Y4C pictures.

In 2017, TNO got a management deal with Legendary and manager David Pwetekani and worked on his second studio album "Umunthu" which featured the hit song "Udani". TNO used this project to document the history of Malawi and point people towards the one and only saviour, Jesus Christ amidst the time of political instability. Unlike his previous album, his music video for "Udani" off the album shot and directed by Isaac Zuze, did not enjoy TV airplay and promotion. He ended his management deal in 2019 and continued to pursue his music career as an independent artist.

He has since then worked on one more music project in 2020; "The highly underrated mixtape" which features artists like David Kalilani, Eliyah Black and Regenerate and has been releasing singles since then in anticipation for his next full music project.

Life and family

TNO is a husband and father of two beautiful children. He serves at his local church in Mpemba and is a member of the Central Church of African Presbytery, CCAP,  where he has been born and raised. He is passionate about music and it's influence on young men and in 2016 he founded the Go M.A.D movement inspired by his mentor at the time Dr. Cornelius Huwa and Pastor Joseph Gibson targeting young men in the hopes of helping them get grounded in the Word of God as they use their gifts and talents to minister.

Apart from the music, TNO is a multitalented individual who works as civil engineer, graphics designer and audio production and mix engineer. 

In his free time, TNO enjoys watching South African series, playing Bawo and chatting with close friends and family.