From the streets of Lusaka to the underground music scene of Montreal, Backxwash has emerged as one of the most fearless and unconventional voices in global hip hop.
Born Ashanti Mutinta in Lusaka on October 4, 1991, the award-winning rapper and producer has carried Zambia’s cultural influence into a genre-defying career that has earned international acclaim while keeping her African roots firmly at the centre of her artistry.
Although now based in Canada, Backxwash’s story begins in Zambia, where she was raised in a deeply religious household with Tumbuka and Chewa heritage.
Growing up in Lusaka exposed her to a blend of traditional African sounds, church culture and urban music that would later shape the dark, emotional and experimental sound she is known for today.
As a child, she discovered hip hop through American rap legends such as The Notorious B.I.G., Method Man and Kanye West. Yet despite these international influences, Backxwash has often spoken about how traditional Zambian music and spirituality remain deeply embedded in her creative identity.
At the age of 17, Mutinta left Zambia for Canada to study computer science in British Columbia. But while academics brought her abroad, music eventually became her calling.
After moving to Montreal, she began performing at local jam sessions and experimenting with production software, eventually releasing her debut EP F.R.E.A.K.S. in 2018.
Later that year she followed it with Black Sailor Moon, quickly gaining attention for blending industrial metal, horrorcore rap and emotionally raw storytelling.
Her breakthrough came in 2020 with the critically acclaimed album God Has Nothing to Do with This Leave Him Out of It. The project won the prestigious Polaris Music Prize, making Backxwash one of the most celebrated experimental hip hop artists in Canada.
The album explored themes of identity, religion, trauma and self-acceptance, subjects deeply connected to her upbringing in Zambia.
Despite her global success, Zambia continues to echo throughout her work. Backxwash frequently references her Christian upbringing, African spirituality and experiences growing up in Lusaka.
She has spoken openly about reclaiming indigenous Tumbuka and Chewa beliefs after years of struggling with rigid religious expectations during her childhood.
Her music is intentionally intense, combining heavy metal samples with emotionally charged rap verses to create a sound unlike anything in mainstream African music.
Yet beneath the distortion and darkness lies a strong connection to heritage, identity and cultural memory.
Picture: Backxwash