Ehlers Bridges Borders With New Beats

Namibian singer and actress Lize Ehlers has added two new tracks to her growing music catalogue with a cross-continental collaboration.

Her latest release, ‘Follow’, featuring Namibian artist Makufikufi, leans into the Afropop genre.

Produced by Zambia’s The BeatBanger and engineered by Devitchi in Namibia, the track blends rhythmic beats with catchy melodies.

Ehlers’ soft but powerful voice brings a playful, fun energy, layered effortlessly over the bass-driven production. Makufikufi contributes multilingual verses in Oshiwambo, Afrikaans and English, creating a cross-cultural feel that celebrates his local roots.

“‘Follow’ is about the magnetic pull of attraction, confidence and the thrill of desire. It’s sensual and bold, designed to get crowds moving while sparking conversations,” she says.

The song sounds current and blends in well to the global African pop tapestry, while showcasing both artists’ unique voices.

In contrast, ‘Adam & Eve’, also produced by Chanza Kasongo, better known as The BeatBanger, leans more toward R&B with a bit of a house element.

Released as a romantic ballad, the song explores themes of love, temptation and balance in relationships. This song is the kind you would play at sunset during a Sunday session in the middle of a hot Windhoek summer.

Ehlers says working with The BeatBanger reminded her of the power of music to dissolve borders and spark deeper conversations about who we are and how we love.

For The BeatBanger, the project reflects his vision of connecting Zambia’s sound with the rest of the continent, and he expressed excitement over breaking borders.

“Lize brings fire, soul and authenticity. Together, we’ve created something that speaks to Africa but can also live on global stages,” he says.

The BeatBanger is a producer, audio engineer, composer and songwriter with more than 14 years of experience and a catalogue that spans Afrobeats and urban pop.

This year he launched the Xanda Sound Summit Masterclass, an initiative aimed at mentoring emerging sound mixers and artists across Zambia. For him, it’s more than just music.

“I don’t just make music, I build bridges between cultures, stories and sounds,” he says.

Makufikufi, on the other hand, is a genre-bending artist with roots in Namibia’s urban scene, known by many for his lyrical bravado, multilingual delivery and magnetic stage presence.

In a recent radio interview, the two said their collaboration is perfect for the club, the beach and wherever you can create your “own vibe”.

Both tracks demonstrate Ehlers’ ability to navigate different musical styles while maintaining her distinctive, playful vocal presence. This is an artist who has been diligently crafting a unique sound that blends well with multiple genres.

Ehlers is a Namibian singer, songwriter, actress and creative director. She’s a multi-award-winning artist with a reputation for blending music, theatre and social advocacy. She also spins the decks at events as the disc jockey Rise Elders.

Beyond her work as a performer, she’s also the founder of Song Night Namibia (established in 2011), a platform that has nurtured countless local musicians, and she co-directs Drag Night Namibia, which promotes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and others (LGBTQI+) visibility and artistic expression.

She says bridging the gap between local music and that from other African countries is an important part of her mission and vision. This is just the beginning, according to her, with loads more to come.

Both tracks are available for streaming online. Ehlers says fans can look forward to accompanying music videos and live performances in the coming months.

– Anne Hambuda is a writer, social commentator and poet. Follow her online or email her at annehambuda@gmail.com for more.

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