Plan Your Life, Make Your Parents Proud – Chipolopolo

Gifted rapper Jackson Chipolopolo Haufiku burst onto the Namibian music scene as a singing partner of Sunny Boy Shipushu as well as a co-owner of Yaziza Music Productions.

Ever since he first featured on Sunny Boy’s songs ‘Nyuku Nyuku’ and ‘Young, Black en Gifted’, from the debut album ‘Young, Black en Gifted’ in 2005, Chipolopolo went on to become a regular feature on some of Sunny Boy’s other top hits.

Apart from his collaborations with his stable mate, Chipolopolo also featured prominently on his other friend Kamasutra’s hit ‘Ten Push Up’ which confirmed his status as one of the one of the most sought after rappers in the hikwa (short for the hip-hop and kwaito) genre.

Hikwa, which is a Namibian concept that was created by Mfanjana, as Sunny Boy is also known, through which he engineered hip-hop and kwaito, was best suited for Chipolopolo who’s fluent rapping style made him a hit on collaborations.

Chipolopolo’s notorious single ‘Mr She-Me’, on which Sunny Boy is dissing his one-time mentor Gazza and his girlfriend, as well as mocking Gazza’s surname Shiimi, was dropped in 2009 during a period when the beef between Gazza and The Dogg was at its peak.

Born at Lubango from exiled Namibian parents during the height of the liberation struggle, he went straight to Omungwelume with his family upon their return to Namibia and he moved to Ongwediva later in the early 90s.

“I was only six years old when I returned to my motherland and my family was relocated to Omungwelume, which is a settlement in the Ohangwena region. But I moved to Ongwediva where I started primary school and continued throughout my secondary school years.

“It was during secondary school that I met Sunny Boy and started doing commercial music as well. But as far as singing is concerned, I started singing as soon as I could speak. I believe my first two words were ‘buffalo souljah’,” he says.

Chipolopolo’s love for music has no boundaries and he developed a taste for various music genres, but he later got hooked to reggae music and African folk music.

“I grew up listening to the likes of Bob Marley, Jackson Kaujeua and Mighty Dreads, I always enjoyed watching them practising before they were well known. Nowadays I listen to Tally Ipupa while I am fascinated by American rapper Kendrick Lamar.

“Hip-hop is who we are, it is a lifestyle. It’s just another way of expressing our emotions and feelings. Hip-hop is teachings we share through beats and rapping. Other people are using artwork, poetry and singing. Music is my first and last love,” the rapper notes.

Chipolopolo, who claims to have over a 100 songs, is not only dependent on music to make a living, he is working for a salary.

“I’m currently a civil servant. I first worked for the Namibian Correctional Service for seven years but I’m currently employed in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security under the directorate of home affairs in the office management and administration.

ALL ABOUT THE YOUTH

“I devote most of my spare time to my studies because I’m pursuing a master’s degree in youth and community development. I want to help the youth find a positive path. They should plan their life, find their future careers and make their parents proud,” he says.

Chipolopolo, who can also play drums, says he tried dropping an album on three occasions but his efforts are always sabotaged.

Now based at Omaruru, Chipololo shared the stage with top South African kwaito music group Bongo Maffin, and considers performing at the Namibia Annual Music Awards as a highlight of his music career.

The ‘Mind Your Business’ hitmaker is no stranger to the international stage as he has performed in Angola and Zambia.

As for his favourite songs, Chipolopolo says he is fascinated with the rumba, soukous and ndombolo sounds of Congolese musician and dancer Fally Ipupa, especially with the way he fuses genres.

“His lyrics often speak about romance, suffering and joy which are all elements experienced on a daily basis by our people. And as for my all-time favourite musician it will also be another Congolese – Koffi Olomide,” Chipolopolo says.

“We all know what soothing effect his deep baritone voice can have on you. Olomide is a big name, not only in Congo, but on the African continent, as well as on the international stage.

“He is not nicknamed ‘King of Ndombolo’ for nothing. He also has a strong stage presence.”

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