Twapewa Nakashona (23), also known as Twaps the MC, is balancing studying, a marketing role at the Namibia University of Science and Technology, his own business ventures, and a career as a hype man.
Born and raised at Ondangwa, Nakashona says his dream of being in the spotlight started at home.
Watching his brothers, of which one is King Gucci, climb the ranks of the entertainment industry gave him the blueprint, he says.
“I didn’t just want to watch from the sidelines, I wanted the mic,” Twaps says.
“It was the first time I held a microphone in front of a live crowd, and the reaction was instant. That’s when I knew my voice could bring the vibe.”
He credits MJ the Hype MC for helping him shape his stage presence, while he sharpens his vocabulary and wit by listening to Uncool MC.
Being an MC is often dismissed as “just talking’”, but Twaps says it’s a complex balancing act.
He says one of his biggest challenges was learning how to switch between the rowdy energy of a social club and the refined expectations of a corporate event.
“I create a high-energy space based on the age gap,” he says.
“Whether they are older or younger, I make sure they are dancing and engaged.”
Twaps’ adaptability has seen him share the stage with over 15 international artists.
But rather than trying to outshine the superstars, he says he sees his role as “a bridge that keeps the energy peak from start to finish”.
While some spend years learning to DJ, Twaps believes MCing is something that has to come naturally.
He says he stays sharp by keeping up with modern trends and improvising on them through songs to keep a crowd hooked.
He’s even survived the ultimate MC nightmare, which is stalling, Twaps says.
He once had to keep a crowd entertained for two hours non-stop during a delay.
His strategy was a marathon of different music genres and a bit of self-mocking humour.
“I danced, which I don’t do very well because I’m tall,” he says.
Unlike many performers who have complex pre-show routines or superstitions, Twaps says he is straightforward.
“I have no pre-stage ritual. I just show up and rock.”
Twaps’ journey so far peaked at SOS 2025 on the Coke Stage, an event he says he used to attend simply as a fan.
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