Chakibeatz is a 21-year-old Namibian singer, the owner of Chakibeatz Studio at Eenhana and one of the country’s youngest producers.
Considered one of the most talented emerging music producers to watch out for, Chakibeatz is proving to be the next big thing in the game, as he steadily builds his brand.
The Weekender caught up with the producer, whose real name is Linus Nghinyangelwa this week.
Currently based in the central north of the country, Chakibeatz says “producing, mixing and mastering music” has been his bread and butter his entire adult life.
He produces all types of music, although he is mostly known for his Afro-pop, kwaito, shambo, house, dancehall and reggae productions.
Chakibeatz describes himself as the true definition of someone who competes against himself on every project and says he strives to constantly improve his craft by keeping up to date with new developments.
He started producing music in 2015 at Okahenge, Ondobe, where he hails from.
“I started on my own and basically taught myself how to operate the Fruity Loops producer app. I got the hang of it and started working with a friend and current colleague, Shorty The Producer, aka Immzshortman,” says Chakibeatz.
He was first inspired to take on the music industry by Johannes Muhongo, founder of the YouTube comedy cartoon channel Ololo Videos.
“He inspired me. I wanted to learn how to put together a production of that nature. The voice-overs, the music, it caught my attention and I haven’t looked back since.”
He feels very fortunate in his career so far to have started by producing for the talented musician and producer Young T.
The two became friends when he was looking to buy a second-hand microphone and sound card.
“He was selling his, so we linked up and he kind of took me under his wing from then on.”
He was soon signed to Young T’s Ugu Studios, although the contract has since expired, and Chakibeatz has moved into his new studio.
“Young T and I worked on hit projects together, and we grew to be like siblings. That’s a relationship I will always cherish,” he says.
He started producing professionally and making adverts in 2019 when he worked with Kaboy Kamakili and Markes Haufiku, who were regarded as young talents.
“That was my breakout year. I felt that I was on my way to becoming an established producer, and any doubts I had before were deleted completely.”
In 2020 he started producing hits and gaining more airplay.
He dreamed of being part of the Namibia Annual Music Awards, but the awards have since lost sponsors.
“I have not yet had the chance to see my songs winning awards, but it is my dream to have a song or album I’ve produced end up winning a national award,” he says.
CHALLENGES
With nothing in life being easy, Chakibeatz recalls his challenges to put equipment together to create a basic studio environment.
“Apart from that, the money was also difficult to make, considering I did not have clients that would pay a decent amount of money for beats.”
This didn’t discourage him, though, and he tried to overcome his struggles by putting in the work every day and promoting his craft on social media, in the hopes that someone would see it and book some studio time or buy a beat at the very least.
“We grew up in a humble environment, Although we did not have much in terms of possessions, the love was always evident.”
His parents never missed a chance to show him how much they believed in his dream, he says.
“I quit school when I was in Grade 8. This is not to say I did not like school. I had a love for making music that was so big that I felt school would be a distraction in my career as a producer, so I took the difficult decision to concentrate entirely on making music,” said Chakibeatz.
