As the Namibian music scene continues to grow daily there’s a new crop of artists penning motivational stories despite financial struggle, poverty of exposure, and struggling to be heard.
Onesmus Mwafangeyo, better known as Onesto, is one such artist.
He is known for his soulful Afro-pop kizomba blend, being a two-time nominee at the Namibian Annual Music Awards, and is a former member of the duo ‘Onesto & Eddy’.
He is now a solo artist, and his album ‘Overdosing on Blessings’ is an exercise in storytelling and collaboration.
“Studio is home. I’m not good at talking – that’s how I speak,” Onesto states.
Although he’s thought of quitting, his passion always wins out.
“Everything is finance-based – beats, studio time, marketing. That’s the biggest challenge,” he says, with a day job supporting his ambition.
“Music here is still regarded as a pastime. But I’m constructing brick by brick.”
From Namibia’s north is Golden V (22), whose songs ‘Onghalamwenyo’ and ‘Message to Mama & Granny’ are poignant and socially conscious.
“I never had the goal of becoming a musician. But to witness people suffer made me want to provide hope,” she says.
She works with her producer, Pro-Humble, but has trouble gaining access to markets and opportunities.
“It’s hard to get booked or pay application fees. But my voice is a gift – and that keeps me going.”
Msunday, born Indenikuye Shuudeni, is a traditionalist Afro-pop and kwaito artist from Walvis Bay.
A four-time nominee at the Namas, his best-selling albums are ‘Growth’, ‘Shine’ and ‘Ku Africa’.
“I never decided to do music. Music decided to do me,” he says.
Starting in church choirs, he’s invented his own genre, but piracy worries him most now.
“Whenever I put out a song, it’s all over WhatsApp. My work’s out, but I’m not being paid.”
Still, he’s driven: “I do music to inspire, educate and entertain.”
Emerging solo artist Fralina Ilonga, or The Vokalist as she is known, fuses R&B and Afro-pop in tracks such as ‘Longa’, ‘Dreams’ and ‘Reality’.
She started singing at age eight, much to the initial reluctance of her mother.
“Music has always been in me,” she maintains.
She earns a living by working multiple jobs to finance her projects at Omuthiya, recording with producer Khilo K.
“I’m reliant on little shows and collaborations,” she says. “My music is intimate. I want to touch the soul.”
FIGHTING FOR RECOGNITION
Every one of the four artists have struggled for recognition in Namibia’s creative sector.
“I don’t think I am fully known,” Golden V says. “But I want to be known all over Namibia, even beyond Namibia.”
The Vokalist agrees: “We work hard, but the breakthrough is not an easy thing.”
Msunday senses the publicity is mounting, slowly.
“Those people who get to know my music love it. But I want more and more people to hear the message.”
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