MONROVIA — It is popularly believed that God sits on a divine throne in paradise and never gets up from there. This belief extends to the notion that He lives within us. Does this mean that we, as humans, could be characterized as Heaven, since our bodies are God’s temple where He dwells? When God said, “Let us make man in our image,” is this the oneness The Creator was referring to? This might sound far-fetched until you meet people who vibrate on a high frequency of consciousness, making you realize that this could possibly be true. How else can we explain the greatness of people who have embraced this powerful truth and function as supreme beings?
I had a jaw-dropping interview with a Liberian superstar who embodies this ideology in every way. The name Hi-Def, derived from High Definition, speaks volumes about his authenticity—it could easily be the name of one of the superheroes we see in comic books or cartoons. Hi-Def believes that God is working and living through him as he proclaims Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Could this explain his remarkable growth in the Liberian music industry? Should we consider his latest collaboration, Foreign Affairs with Mr. Church, as a vivid broadcast of the reality he holds dear?
Typically, rap music without bragging is considered empty. It’s deemed heavy when rappers lyrically boast about guns, promiscuous encounters, wasting money on unnecessary things, and being tough. Was this what we expected to hear on a track titled Foreign Affairs? In a normal context, yes—but with lyricists like Hi-Def and Mr. Church, the answer is a resounding no! Although these conscious-minded rappers weren’t preaching Jesus on the track, you could still feel the message of light as they boasted intelligently, offering us the revival of true hip-hop all in one masterpiece. It felt like a mix of Tupac and Notorious B.I.G., or Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole, or even Eminem and Joyner Lucas on a dope beat created by DJ Philly, giving the impression of a party in heaven. Every syllable from Hi-Def and Mr. Church was delivered with a presence centered on knowledge of self. While it was indeed boasting, it wasn’t offensive; it was rap education and self-love in grand style.
You can’t stop there! You’ll find yourself diving into his discography, dedicating your time to listen, enjoy, and strengthen your mind with every song he has ever released. Just as Christians would ask, “What manner of man is Jesus?” you’ll be tempted to ask, “What manner of man is Hi-Def?” When I posed this question to him, he didn’t hesitate or stutter but confidently replied:
“Who is Henry Dubar?
I am a Liberian American with skills in media, cinematography, freelance modeling, and other facets of art. I push a motivational narrative on my social media platforms and in my personal life. My image is all about growth, confidence, and faith in God.
Who is HI-DEF? He is the same person, just an extension. It is my stage name indeed, but HI-DEF is short for HI-DEFINITION. It means I strive to give my supporters the best I can offer. I aim to deliver high-quality content from my vocals to my videos to my stage performances or anything I touch. I want it to be the highest quality possible—hence HI-DEF. It used to be just an alias or character until I realized the impact of my words and my presence. Music is spiritual, and it’s real life. I realized I couldn’t just say anything in my songs because people are genuinely affected by it. I’ve been a thriving musician for almost 14 years now, releasing many singles, albums, performing sold-out shows, making radio appearances, and more.”
Curious about whether he had always been this prolific throughout his 14-year music career, I asked him. He responded:
“When I was a young rapper, I would say a lot of nonsense in my songs, and then one day, a lot of those things came true—and they were negative. So I changed the narrative to positivity, and those things also manifested. Now I’m mindful of the words I use in my songs.”
Was this what led to his God consciousness? Hi-Def was delighted by this question, as his love for God and identification with Jesus is public, and he shares it with pride and joy. He said:
“Music is very spiritual. It is truly a gift from God. Life and death are in the power of the tongue—the things you say can and will come to fruition. Music is essentially a ritual because you’re repeating things over and over. If it’s negative, you’re planting negativity in someone’s ears, and they might act on it. If you hear a sad song, it affects your spirit; if you hear a happy, energetic song, it uplifts your mood. At soccer matches, they know exactly what kind of music to play to hype the crowd, just like at radio shows or birthday parties. If music wasn’t spiritual, any type of music could be played anywhere, but we all know that’s not true.”
As he spoke, I could sense he wanted to share more. I let him flow freely and asked, “Was it easy for you to live the truth you reveal in your music?” He replied:
“I’ve always known of God because of my upbringing, but I wasn’t following Him faithfully for most of my music career. I would say I believed in Him and wouldn’t deny Him, but I wasn’t living a Christ-like lifestyle. During my rise to popularity, I got involved in the typical activities of popular rappers: money, women, clothes, alcohol, etc. The more popular I became in my city, the deeper I got, losing sight of what truly matters. It created a void in my life. I was prioritizing music over everything and realized I was doing it all wrong. For the first 10 years, I was doing it my way, without truly involving God. I had great times, but the lows were very low.
In 2020, my music started gaining popularity in Liberia and abroad. Because I had strong relationships with DJs and radio personalities, I had to change my lyrics to suit radio audiences. I stopped cursing in all my songs—not realizing it was part of God’s plan for me. I was just doing what I needed to stay on the radio.
Then, in 2023, I rededicated my life to Christ and took it to the next level. My music became more spiritual, focused on edifying the listener. Am I perfect? No. Do I still create secular music? Technically, yes, but I’m shifting rapidly. I’ve been doing this for so long that I know how to balance everything out. I don’t bore listeners with preachiness; I drop jams and find clever ways to convey my messages through popular beats.”
This question was inevitable, and he answered it as a man of purpose should: How did you bridge being in the diaspora and impacting Liberians at home with your sound? He responded:
“I’m very grateful to be here 14 years later. Many people don’t get the chance to pursue their dreams and passions for this long with consistent support. My career has evolved and reinvented itself numerous times over the years. When I was hustling in America, I faced challenges—mainly because the type of music I was making didn’t match the vibe of the people around me. Everyone has their style, but those around me weren’t making music that was motivational. It was more about gaining popularity and clubbing. I always had a message in my music, so it resonated with people who appreciate that kind of content.
When I started pushing in Liberia, people appreciated my music and message, though there was initially a language barrier—they wanted Kolokwa. Once I started incorporating Kolokwa, they wanted me to stick to it. I began balancing the two styles without compromising my essence, creating something original that hadn’t been done before. There are artists who mix both styles, but since I’m Liberian, it’s truly unique. My style is crafted from this dual identity, given that Liberian music isn’t global like Nigerian music yet. I feel like everything I’m doing hasn’t been done before, making it very exciting. My biggest challenge in Liberia now is the country’s financial situation—it’s difficult to monetize my content there, and they don’t always grasp the American elements in my songs.”
I then asked about his upcoming projects: “Apart from your latest hit Foreign Affairs featuring Mr. Church, should we expect a body of songs from you?” He replied:
“I have an ongoing theme with my projects since my music gained international attention:
Superstar
Superstar 2
Superstar 3
Megastar
Worldwide
So it only makes sense to continue with WORLDSTAR MVP. In my own regard, I feel like I’m one of a kind. My style is so unique that you have to come to me to experience it. In my humble opinion, there isn’t another artist as versatile as me in my lane, offering so many flavors. I see myself as the MVP in my lane, but it’s not something I broadcast—I let others say what they want. Many people already acknowledge this, so WORLDSTAR MVP is a natural progression. The EP will inspire, but it’s very much hip-hop. I’ll be spitting bars that showcase my seasoned pen and flow. I chose three songs for the EP because it’s easily digestible for the audience. I recently dropped an album, so I didn’t want to overwhelm them. Also, I plan to release more music soon, so three tracks will leave people wanting more, as opposed to a full-length album that could take time for listeners to fully digest.”
With everything I heard, I was so impressed that I wanted to know the name of his manager. This is what he had to say:
“I’m not signed to any major label currently. In 2020, I signed a business deal with an imprint named Wealth Nation that had ties to Sony Records. I was slated to sign with Sony but opted out due to the stipulations. It didn’t make sense for me as an artist, seeing that I would be relinquishing my rights while also investing my own money.
That business deal opened doors for me to trademark my brand in the United States. My stage name ‘HI-DEF’ is trademarked by the U.S. Patent Office, and my imprint/brand ‘100K LIFESTYLE’ is also legally trademarked.
So I am signed to myself legally. I have publishing rights as a writer and producer, and I own all my ISRCs and masters to my songs.
I’ve had two different managers in Liberia, both of whom worked at Spoon Network. During our time together, they helped get me on multiple radio stations and build relationships in the industry beyond just the artists. We hosted parties and held competitions to promote the music in the country.
Currently, I don’t have a manager, and I handle all my own marketing. I run ads and have relationships with playlist curators, influencers, bloggers, and radio DJs to support me.”
Wow! Where do you find an artist who manages his affairs so well? You’d think he has a highly paid professional manager! Indeed, Hi-Def is everything he thinks he is.
Since an album recently dropped and an EP is about to be released, I asked him if the Liberian community in the diaspora or at home should expect any Hi-Def concert. He responded:
“I’m not currently performing shows. I’ve had several offers, but during my rebrand, I decided to hold off to build a catalog and cultivate a stronger fanbase that would demand I travel and perform shows that are worth doing. I’m not interested in performing old music that represents my past life. So I’m happy building this new catalog and staying under the radar in certain demographics. I’m seen where I need to be seen, if you know what I mean. All in due time.
But when I was performing shows, I had a great relationship with talent agents. I was on the email list as one of the prominent artists to call in my city because of my stage performances. I still have the desire to travel and perform, which is why I’ve declined most offers recently.”
As the interview ended, I was fully enriched by Hi-Def’s inseparable bond with his higher self. His aura speaks of supremacy and also carries a pure form of humility. You hardly find rappers like Hi-Def these days. I came to this conclusion: If life were Formula 1 or a Grand Prix, then God would be Lewis Hamilton, and Hi-Def would be the race car the Most High uses to win every victory.
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