‘I made Otjiherero rap cool’ says Nga-i

The social media post garnered much debate from fellow artists, with some agreeing with Nga-i and others disagreeing.

“I realised that I made Otjiherero a cool thing after topping charts and influencing other locals due to the number of rappers who previously weren’t doing it. I also influenced the style and technique,” he says.

The self-proclaimed ‘Herero Hero’ told unwrap.online that it was his first hit song ‘Kurama’ that ultimately set off his career.

“I put culture on the map after the release of ‘Kurama’, now people of all tribes and mostly non-Otjiherero speakers have embraced my music. I’ve done corporate work for companies and it’s all because of the demand that I’ve created for this type of music,” he says.

The artist is about to release a new track titled ‘Hosea Kutako’ with South African musician Lolli Native, who is a close associate of the popular South African trap rapper, Emtee.

“It’s a great feeling. We have partnered up with the pioneer of vernacular trap and his record label to introduce Otjiherero rap and trap music to the South African market, African market and the world,” he says.

“I’ve just been working on ways to continue being a pioneer, I still bathe in how I managed to shoot the first and only music video at the Heroes Acre. Otjiherero lyrics are only becoming popular now and I have to continue to lead and show new ways to push the Namibian dream.”

– unwrap.online

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