Namibian musician Chicco Black, real name Chikomona Munembo, is using his 14-track album ‘Rise of the Machine’ to address poverty, limited healthcare services and development concerns affecting communities, particularly in the Zambezi region.
Released on 23 August, the album draws on his personal experiences, faith and observations of society. It includes songs about his move to Windhoek in search of opportunities and challenges facing residents of Katima Mulilo.
Chicco Black grew up at Choi village in the Kongola constituency, where limited access to electricity made recording music difficult.
He began recording vocals over instrumentals using Audacity, a basic recording programme, and wrote lyrics with the resources available to him.
“I grew up at Choi, a village situated in the Kongola constituency [of the] Zambezi region, which had no electricity and was far from Katima Mulilo town. This made it difficult to charge my laptop and record music consistently,” he says.
He says travelling to Katima Mulilo to access recording studios was also a challenge, but his interest in music kept him going.
Chicco Black says his interest developed through listening to local and international musicians, including Namibian artist The Dogg.
He also sees music as a natural part of his identity, drawing a connection between his surname and singing.
His stage name, Chicco Black, comes from a nickname based on his first name, Chikomona.
He says “Black” reflects his skin colour, while black and blue are his favourite colours.
The album’s title was inspired partly by the film ‘Terminator: Rise of the Machines’.
Chicco Black says it represents the determination to overcome setbacks rather than surrender to difficult circumstances.
“The album is built around one central word: resilience,” he says.
The project combines hip-hop, which he identifies as his main influence, with other African sounds and gospel music.
He says the ‘Bible’ also influenced the album’s themes of faith and perseverance.
One of the tracks, ‘Windhoek City’, addresses his decision to move to the capital in search of opportunities, reflecting the experiences of people who leave their hometowns to pursue better prospects.
Another song, ‘Mara Why’, featuring Tally Boy, deals with his struggle against poverty.
‘Lusialezi’, featuring Zambian musician Ray Zama, focuses on concerns affecting Katima Mulilo, including development, access to specialised medical services and alleged corruption at the town.
Chicco Black says residents should not have to travel to Rundu or Windhoek to access specialised healthcare.
“We want the necessary facilities, specialised doctors and medical services to be available in Katima Mulilo so that residents can receive appropriate treatment closer to home,” he says.
He says music could provide a platform for discussing social and political issues, drawing attention to community concerns and encouraging change.
Chicco Black also works as a driver for member of parliament Martin Lukato.
He says balancing his job with music requires discipline and time management, with much of his creative work taking place during his free time.
“Being an emerging artist while holding a full-time job is not always easy, but I believe that having a job should not mean giving up on your dreams,” he says.
He identifies limited finances and performance opportunities as major challenges for independent musicians in Namibia.
Recording, production, promotion and music videos require investment, while emerging artists also need platforms to showcase their work and reach new audiences.
Despite these constraints, he plans to continue promoting the album.
The music video for ‘Lusialezi’ aired on the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation’s ‘Whatagwan’ programme in September.
He is also planning another video, although he has not announced a release date.
Chicco Black says the response to the album has been encouraging, but he hopes to reach a wider audience in Namibia and beyond.
Reflecting on his beginnings, he urges aspiring musicians to start with the resources available to them and develop their skills over time.
“I started my music journey using simple recording software called Audacity, in a village where there was no electricity,” he says.
“Start with what you have, learn as you go, and keep improving your craft.”
