Namibian musician Riaan Smit back home at Swakop after decade of touring globe

Internationally acclaimed Namibian musician Riaan Smit has returned home after more than a decade of performing across the globe with his band, Crimson House.

Known for his energetic performances and genre-bending sound, Smit has chosen to settle at Swakopmund to raise his daughter and invest in Namibia’s creative community.

Having toured extensively across Africa, Europe, and the Americas, Smit is one of Namibia’s most widely travelled musicians. With Crimson House, he has graced stages at major festivals such as Oppikoppi, Rocking the Daisies, Splashy Fen, and the Kirstenbosch Summer Concerts, making him one of the few Namibians to perform on South Africa’s most iconic stage.

Despite international success, Smit says Namibia remains his anchor.

“Namibia will always be my heart,” he says. “I still tour internationally to massive audiences, but Swakopmund is where I belong. It’s where I want to raise my daughter and build something lasting – not just for myself, but for the community that raised me.”

Smit’s distinctive style, which he calls Afro-gypsy blues, fuses African rhythm, gypsy swing, and blues, a sound that has earned him a loyal following worldwide. His song ‘Unicorns’ remains one of his most celebrated works, praised for its message of love.

Earlier this year, Smit spent time in Cape Town collaborating with artists across genres. But he says the experience reaffirmed his connection to home.

“Namibia gives me peace, purpose, and a sense of belonging,” he says. “This is where I want to create, raise my daughter, and continue sharing my music with the world.”

Now based at Swakopmund, Smit is focused on mentoring young artists, producing local collaborations, and helping to transform the coastal town into a thriving cultural hub.

“There’s so much untapped potential here,” Smit says.

“If we nurture it, Namibian music can shine internationally without losing its roots.”

With new projects and tours planned, Smit says he will continue to champion Namibian creativity while proving that world-class artistry can flourish at home.

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