Artists Team Up to Struggle, Love and Evolve

After teaming up in 2019 for an EP, ‘Believe’, male artists Clinton Mubita (28), known as LeSean Elshadai, and Jonathan Luvindao (29), known as JohnnybeGood, have released another collaborative new EP, called ‘Kali Yuga’.

The EP’s launch was held at Basement in Windhoek on Saturday.

It contains 10 songs, is produced by NH Mill and Lava Shindi, and was recorded at Ruacana.

Mubita says the album came about due to the string of equinoxes and whether we are currently in the Age of Aquarius and Kali Yuga.

“The project is special because it refers to a period of contention and strife in Hinduism. The Hindus believe this period is marked by struggle, refinement and evolution. In parallel some believe we are entering the Age of Aquarius and that we are currently in the middle of this transition. Ironically the last part of Kali Yuga and the transition into Aquarius seem to have similar characteristics,” Luvindao says.

Mubita says the album is to fortify listeners with love, optimism, responsibility and strength.

“The album is made for everybody. While recording we loved the positive energy. I can say my entire experience while working on the album was quiet and peaceful. At Ruacana I also enjoyed the ambiance of the waterfall and nature,” Mubita says.

‘Slaiza’, an anti-corruption song on the EP, has been enjoying popularity since its release.

“We are tired of getting slaizad, and we will keep fighting corruption,” Mubita says.

Mubita identifies ‘Spider-Man’, inspired by his childhood TV hero, as one of his favourite songs.

The song urges fathers to be their family’s heroes, he says.

Luvindao says ‘Drifting Spaceships’ is his favourite song on the project, because it talks about the importance of forgetting your worries and not focusing on what other people say about you.

The duo met in 2014.

Luvindao made his debut in January 2014, when he released ‘You’re Gone’, while Mubita released his first song, ‘Possessed’, in 2013 – a radio hit which topped the charts at Radio Energy 100 FM.

Mubita says they collaborated because they believe in teamwork.

“Two heads are better than one,” he says.

“Steel sharpens steel, and working with another great artist forces you to give everything. Not working together actually prevents connectivity and growth in our industry,” he says.

Luvindao says it is, however, not easy to find another hardworking, talented artist to work with.

He says working on the album during the Covid-19 pandemic was not easy for him as he also faced several other personal issues.

“The challenges I faced were more on a personal basis, having suffered from depression, mental instability and emotional insecurity due to the effects of the coronavirus. It was not easy to train or manipulate my mind. When it came to working on the project, I had to boost myself and for the moment forget everything else that needed my attention. It was not easy to manoeuvre between recording and meditating to calm the storms in my head,” he says.

Mubita says he expresses himself best through music.

“I love music. It’s my life, breath and love. I want to tell other artists to keep pushing, because it is the only way we can make Namibia compete with major players in game. The pandemic has, however, really made it very difficult for us, both financially and socially. The government has failed and did not give everyone grants. It is really hard as an artist to get around during the pandemic,” he says.

The EP is available on various digital platforms such as iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, Namibia Donlu and viral.com.

For more information, phone 085 750 4991 or 081 671 6661.

@LeSean Elshadai on social media

@jbg_JohnnyBeGood on Facebook

rinelda.media@gmail.com

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