It’s hard to talk about Namibian hip-hop and R&B without mentioning the phrase ‘061 Stand Up!’.
Known as one of the major labels in the industry, 061 Music brought about hit tracks such as ‘Click Song’, ‘Feels Good’ and ‘City On My Chest’ and hosted some of the biggest events including the 061 Pool Party.
But a terrible shock hit the group when one of the founding members Popyeni Yearwood, better known as Catty Catt, passed away in 2013 from lupus after a long battle with the disease.
With his death, 061 Music went through a hiatus as members dispersed into their respective careers, sparking rumours that this was possibly the end of the group.
But fans can now rejoice as 061 Music is back, this time with Tukondjeni, aka Jizzi Maniak, as its newest member and a fresh album titled ‘The Area Code’ due for release at the end of this month.
The Weekender found out what more is in store for the label…
Then and Now
Known for their party lifestyle and hip-hop style which set them apart, the 061 Music Group were all over television, radio and their 061 Music shirts inspired a nationwide representation of people and their respective towns.
With original members being Lucciano and Catty Catt in 2010 who originally started 061 Music in the clothing industry, the duo veered into music. But their history is nothing new.
Releasing six albums under their name as solo artists and as a group, their members have also garnered Namibian Annual Music Awards (NAMAs) and numerous nominations.
Lucciano, for example, has a history longer than most people’s CVs. But he prefers to let the music speak for itself.
“I started music around 2002 and joined a group called DLSquare. Afterwards, we hooked up with Black Market Entertainment (BME). I met Catty Catt there and we formed 061 clothing line to raise funds for 061 Music.”
As with all rappers, there comes a time when beefing is a thing – and back then, they had Black Market Entertainment in their sights. “It was about something really small but it got squashed,” Lucciano said.
At some point, he started heading into production and that, in fact, is where the name Lucci ThanksForTheBeat came about. “It was actually Catty Catt who first said “Lucci, thanks for the beat” and the name stuck,” he revealed. Eventually, the crew took a short break from music, but returned in 2009 when the music really started taking off.
In the past few years, however, Lucci travelled to China for four years to study computer science. “The schedule was pretty hectic, but I was still able to do music because the equipment was cheaper that side.” Returning last year with a degree in tow, he says that 061 Music has big plans up their sleeve.
Then there was rapper, songwriter and performing artist Sinna G, who made his debut on the Namibian music scene in 2006. Before his membership in 061 Crew, he became the first Namibian to feature on the Hype magazine June 2007 mixtape edition with the track ‘Step Aside’, produced by Ameen Harron.
Officially joining 061 Music, he became not a only a member but a part of the management.
“Our strategy was to get into the industry and release singles. We made sure that we were on the charts,” Sinna G said.
“There were a lot of music labels but we were a hip-hop label that truly competed in the industry.”
During the hiatus, however, he has been working at FNB, but inconspicuously working on music too.
Quido, who came into the picture around the same time Sinna G did, has been writing lyrics since he was in Grade 7.
Describing himself as a “well-blended human cocktail”, the Windhoek native had a rough time at school thanks to his ‘unconventional’ ways, but overcame with the support of family and music as an outlet.
Choosing particularly hip-hop due to its richness of expression, Quido becomes something else when he steps into the studio. “My mixtapes landed in the hands of Catty Catt and Lucciano and they instantly wanted to sign me. At the time, I only received two offers.”
Since then, the rapper has produced his solo albums ‘Who Is Quido’ and ‘Soweto Boi Certified’ with two music videos, namely ‘Soweto’ featuring KaniBal and ‘Coyote Ugly/Budget Ballin’.
But Catty Catt’s death sparked his retirement from music. Living a quiet and happy life with friends and family, as well as being an executive at Guidao Mowira Group, his return to music promises the old Quido with a new flair.
As for Catty Catt, he was a well-known name and face in the hip-hop industry. He dropped his 18-track album ‘Independence Avenue’ in 2011 under the label of 061, bringing about hits such as ‘The Good’ and ‘City On My Chest’.
To date, his tribute video remains one of the top Nam-TV videos online, garnering thousands of views.
For now, the spotlight falls firmly on Tukondjeni, the newest member of the hip-hop crew.
Born in exile in the former GDR (East Germany), he returned to Windhoek after independence and grew up in Katutura.
