Artists On Substance Abuse, Mental Health

Artist Big Ben says over the years he has seen drug and alcohol being abused, driving some of the most prolific and best talents in Namibia into the ground.

“Many [creatives] have been affected indirectly or directly through overdosing or the alcohol and drugs drive them to extreme behaviours that get them into unbearable situations. I’ve seen it and unfortunately, it drives the best of the best,” Big Ben says.

With more than a decade in the music industry, Big Ben says he has seen artists getting banned from performing at several events due to their history of arriving at shows drunk.

Without mentioning names, Big Ben revealed that one musician was blacklisted for almost four years.

“They insulted a person who literally owns all the companies in Namibia and eventually, nobody wanted to work with this particular artist. I have also seen the best artists becoming unproductive because there is just no time to work but there is enough time for the next party. I’ve seen Namibian artists lose property and investments because they needed that next shot,” he adds.

Apart from the negative impact drugs and alcohol have on many, Big Ben says not all artists are addicted to substances, but there are some who function better when intoxicated.

“Some can’t function without that magic – the junkies and alcoholics. As high as they are, they come stumbling, but will give the best service and would you call them again to perform? Of course.”

According to research, young artists blooming into stardom are also trying to learn and navigate an entirely new way of life through being handed drugs as a way to ‘cope’, leading them down a destructive and even lethal path.

Commenting further on the issue of alcohol and drug abuse, veteran producer DJ KBoz, who has worked with both upcoming and established artists, agreed with Big Ben’s sentiment, saying alcohol and drug abuse has done more harm than good.

“[Although] some creativity comes out because they can express their emotions and are more aggressive when it comes to the art, I’m still against it […] It kills them, shortens their lifespan, destroys their health and relationships not just within the industry but with their family members and the corporate world as well,” DJ KBoz stresses.

Producer ‘Andrew On The Beat’, who spends hours in studio with artists, blames drug and alcohol abuse on peer pressure.

“Peer pressure is probably the biggest factor. To be a musician is to be cool, and I think it helps them to be in character and has somewhat affected them badly because our industry is such a small industry and doesn’t generate much and the little they get goes into drugs,” Andrew On The Beat adds.

– unwrap.online

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