FROM the sounds of ‘Perfectro Tromendos’ to winning Channel O awards and collaborating with government on national health campaigns, The Dogg has certainly made a name for himself and has gone way beyond being just a recording artist.
The Dogg, real name Martin Morocky, has taken his name and turned it into a brand and is, according to those in the entertainment industry, among the top brands Namibia has produced.
He is no longer only known for his music but is fast making a name for himself in the entrepreneurial sector with a successful clothing label and various other business ventures to his name.
The Dogg has also become very vocal in addressing social issues, using his influence especially among the youth to create awareness on current affairs.
His Mshasho brand has grown from being a record label to being worn on the chests and wrists of many. From clothes and water to watches, you name it, Mshasho has its name on it.
However, The Dogg admits that it has not been all moonlight and roses journeying to where he is now. He has come this far and is determined to work even harder to journey even further. He may be at the top, but is still not where he wants to be, the star said.
“I haven’t reached where I want to be, I can only say I am half way there.”
These are the words of The Dogg who has taken on entrepreneurship and made it a point to be one of the most respected business owners in the country.
Although he did not go to business school and advocates for the importance of education, he says that the secret to his business success is never giving up, being positive and always having hope that things will work out.
“It is very important to always invest back. Whatever you make, invest back,” he said.
He added that the 11 years he spent growing and working for the success his business is enjoying now have taught him patience, determination and the willpower to never give up on dreams.
“I still have the dream of making the first Namibian cell phone,” he said.
Winning continental titles and receiving various nods as well as being recognised beyond Namibian borders is nothing out of the ordinary for The Dogg. He was recently nominated for the African Muzic Magazine Awards for the Best Male Southern Africa category. This is not the first time he receives a nod for this prestigious award. His song ‘Bye Bye’ is currently enjoying time at the number two spot on the Trace Africa hip-hop top 10 countdown.
But despite this success, The Dogg is planning on retiring as a recording artist in 2020 to fully concentrate on his business ventures and growing the careers of the musicians signed under the Mshasho label.
He said that he is now looking for a female voice to join Young T, Chesta, Magogos and KP Illest.
“We want a lady to complement the Mshasho brand so we invite all female musicians to drop their demos with us,” The Dogg said.
Ambassador
Back in 2012, the ‘Deception’ singer was chosen as the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund ambassador and was also instrumental in the police’s ‘Turn Back Crime’ campaign last year.
This year, he went on a national campaign with the health ministry where he workedwith the Minister of Health to promote the health precautionary measure of voluntary male circumcision.
Sharing a bit of his smart cut experience, The Dogg said he wasn’t really afraid of the procedure, but more the pain and the needles. He however reassured all men that it is not painful at all.
“I don’t like needles. They injected me four times and had to pinch to see whether it was numb. It was not painful at all.”
Apart from linking up with government, he has also used his personal social media to campaign for giving back to those who are less fortunate. “I really want to work on projects that better the lives of other people,” he said.
With musicians continuously raising concerns of being ripped off when it comes to their work, The Dogg has been advocating for artists’ mechanical rights by getting jukebox owners to purchase mechanical jukebox licences. Apart from looking out for the artists under his label, he also showed great support during the campaign where police officers removed unlicensed jukeboxes from shebeens and bars.
Taking the nation by storm is an understatement when it comes to what the multi-award winning artist did with his clothing label.
Starting with T-shirts with Mshasho printed on them to tracksuits, hoodies as well as booty shorts, The Dogg has grown his clothing brand to such an extent that he even has his own clothing shops in the northern parts of the country. He added that he is working on having Mshasho shops all over the country.
Extending the brand from Mshasho to Pakamish and 3545, The Dogg said the demand is now bigger than ever.
