NAMIBIA’S alarming suicide rate has just become painfully real, as the nation reels in shock following news of the death of one of its most talented hip-hop artists, Shilongo Peuyavali Ashipala, known as Kanibal.
Kanibal’s body was found by his sibling on Wednesday morning, however it is believed that he has already been dead for a few days.
Tributes for the artist, who is hailed as a maestro and trailblazer in local hip-hop circles, started streaming in moments after the news of his death broke on social media.
Radio personality and friend of the late artist, Azeal ‘Cheeze’ Matsoarelle says Kanibal elevated local hip-hop and was on the level of American artist Kanye West, however he had a lot of pain and the Covid-19 pandemic aggravated it. Cheeze says he knew Kanibal was in a dark place and encouraged him to seek professional help, after Kanibal recently told him twice that he would “harm” himself.
“Recently in the last three months that I saw him, he had really deteriorated and people called me to tell me that Kani was assaulted again. He had a serious drinking problem which was masking and suppressing the pain. My man was in a lot of pain but he was a genius at his craft,” says Cheeze.
A Genius
Lownan Wamboseun, a fellow artist who enjoyed something of a love/hate relationship with Kanibal, says he loved the late artist despite the fact that he made him very angry at times.
“We would fight and not talk for months. But along the way we would always reach out. I have the utmost respect for him as a fellow music craftsman. He was a genius when it comes to music.”
Treza Kooper, who worked with the artist on several projects, says Kani fought many demons and it is particularly sad that he was never able to overcome them. She believes the industry has lost a giant and a great mentor.
“I knew him for a couple of years. I met him at Fresh FM and we also stayed in the same neighbourhood in Grysblok. He pulled me in and wanted to do a song with me. At the time I wasn’t a good vocal artist but he saw something in me. We went into the studio together, it was a small part but just working with Kanibal – a true maestro who loved his art and helped artists hone their skills – was a big deal. He was a great person. We all have our demons but Kani had a very tough fight with his demons, he really tried to be the best he could be.”
The shocking news comes amid concerns that Namibia’s suicide figures have reached worrisome rates. Recent statistics released ahead of the commemoration of World Suicide Day held on Friday, 10 September, show that at least 745 people committed suicide in Namibia between January 2020 and June 2021, while 1 172 people attempted to commit suicide in the same period. Media reports also suggest that men remain most at risk of suicide, with 409 men dying by suicide in 2019, followed by 58 women.
A Friend Indeed
Rapper Quido who worked with Kanibal when he started out as a rapper and hip-hop artist, says Kanibal was one of his idols, alongside Catty Cat.
“They were the pioneers. So when I got into music they were the guys I mingled with. I will always remember Kanibal as a beautiful, kind person and actually the only one in the entertainment industry who was genuine. He was always happy-go-lucky. He was a musical genius, beyond talented. He was on all the rappers’ hits. Musically he was touched by an angel,” says Quido.
He will remember Kanibal as a friend who was there for people. Those who knew him, knew he was troubled but we accepted him as he was. I wish we did more. I will certainly miss him. He is home now, I would like to believe.”
Fellow rapper JBlack stated that Kanibal was and is simply the greatest Namibian hip-hop artist of all time as nobody made better music, beats, produce, write and sing like him.
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