From Opuwo to one million views

Stanley Manuel (23) from Opuwo grew up surrounded by music.

Today, he is known as Stakes Boy, a name given to him by his aunt. She had named him after an artist known as Ou Stakes.

Over time, that influence blended with his own identity, and Stakes Boy was born. It connects his past to the artist he is becoming, says Manuel.

“Growing up, I listened to One Blood, whose music became part of my early soundtrack. At home, my mother was a devoted fan of Westlife, and through her I fell deeply in love with their harmonies and emotional songs,” he says.

Manuel became fascinated by the feeling music created.

“Music made me feel comforted and curious at the same time,” he says, adding that curiosity slowly grew into something more.

“It was during the Covid-19 lockdown that everything changed. Like many young people stuck at home, I had time to think. Instead of just listening to music, I started recording my own using nothing more than my phone,” he says.

He experimented with melodies and explored his own sound. Eventually, he gathered the courage to step into a studio. “That decision marked the true beginning of my journey,” he says.

“The first song I recorded was titled ‘No Pain No Gain’. It focused on life and the struggles people face every day. For me, it was more than just lyrics. It was real. Starting out was not easy. Studio time required money, and as an upcoming artist, finding funds was a challenge.

“There were moments when the dream felt heavy. But one person who believed in me from the start was my high school friend, Prince Hindjou,’’ he says.

Manuel works within the Herero disco genre. While the sound of the genre often remains similar across artists, he believes his style is different.

He says he does not usually sit down to write songs in the traditional way. Instead, he listens to a beat and allows the rhythm and ideas to come naturally.

“When inspiration strikes, I record my ideas on my phone so I do not lose them. It is a simple process, but it works for me,” says Manuel.
A major turning point came with the release of ‘Ove Omuwa’.

“I did not expect it to reach the numbers it did on YouTube. I began noticing more people using the sound on TikTok. That was when it truly felt real.”

Reaching one million views became one of his biggest achievements, proving that his work was resonating with people beyond his immediate circle.

The journey has not been without criticism.

As an upcoming artist, he faced negative comments and discrimination, especially online.

He says at times, it was discouraging, and there were moments where he considered giving up. But instead of focusing on those who doubted him, he chose to focus on the people who supported him.

Manuel says he connects with his fans through social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, as well as through live performances. Seeing people sing along or respond to his music reminds him why he started.

Recently, he shared that he is working on a song with Gazza – something he once dreamed about.

He has also collaborated with DJ Vuyo, Top Cherry, Manxebe, Page from Ethnix and Etjo.

For Stakes Boy, success is about going through challenges, coming out stronger and earning your place through hard work and persistence.

He says the road is not smooth, but he accepts that struggle is part of the story.

His advice to upcoming artists is simple: be yourself, make music that appeals to both you and your audience, stay patient and focused, and trust that your time will come.

When people look back on his career one day, he hopes they remember him as someone who turned pain into purpose – an artist who created songs people could relate to in every season of their lives, especially when it comes to love.

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