Big Ben Fights GBV in ‘Love and Respect’

On the song, each man performs in a different Namibian language, which sees the song featuring lyrics in English, Nama, Oshiwambo, Afrikaans and Otjiherero.

Big Ben spoke to unWrap.online this week to say that he composed the song to express the plight of modern society, in which people are being murdered, raped and abandoned almost daily.

“When I read the news, I often come across accounts of men who have murdered, raped, ruined, abandoned, or tormented weaker and more vulnerable individuals. As a songwriter, I’m compelled to use my music to express the worries, hopes, and concerns of my own society. Otherwise, neither I, nor my music, are meaningful or useful.

“I have written songs about a variety of issues, including baby dumping, such as ‘Vote’, ‘1 000 Tears’, and ‘Ondjinambirahi’. Some of these songs have won awards too, and that motivated me to do some more conscious music,” Big Ben says.

The message of ‘Love and Respect’ states that if men in general could treat and handle everything with a little love and respect, the world would be a wonderful place, he says.

“The various singers in the song are talking as men against violence, be it domestic, gender-based, or public, and especially violence perpetrated by men. The song is four male musicians singing together to say ‘men, we can do better’.

“The song is now out on all major online music outlets, YouTube, SoundCloud, Donlu Africa, and my own website okinikini.com for downloads.

“However, we are also addressing women because they are the ones who raise males, and they have the ability to teach their sons from an early age to be a source of hope, peace, love, and respect rather than a source of sadness, despair, and hopelessness,” he says.

Big Ben says making the song was aided by the EU Delegation in Namibia.

“They were our obvious partners in the song and they have already worked closely with many organisations to combat domestic and GBV.

“Because we all agreed that the musicians could have an impact if their music could aid the many organisations, including the government, in their efforts, they had to work extremely hard to raise the money for such a song.”

Big Ben says they are looking for amateur and professional film-makers and enthusiasts to download the song, come up with a concept, and create a music video to complement the song, with the winning videos winning cash prizes.

“The response has been satisfactory and participants have asked for more time to conceptualise their ideas. We have thus extended the closing date for submissions to 15 November 2022.

“The winners will walk away with N$1 000 as a third prize, N$2 000 for the second prize and N$4 000 for the first prize,” he says.

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