TKB is looking beyond Namibia and positioning its latest collaboration with Zambian artist Yo Maps and Namibian rapper Lioness as part of an effort to take the group’s Kavango sound to audiences across Africa.
One of the group’s songwriters and composer, Joseph Kandere, says the release of ‘I Wish You Knew’ was deliberately kept private before its launch to preserve the surprise surrounding the collaboration.
“We wanted to keep the project private because we knew the collaboration was something special. We did not want to reveal everything before the right time. The surprise was part of the excitement,” Kandere says.
He says the public response changed once it became known that the song featured Yo Maps and Lioness.
“People were surprised and excited to see artists from different countries and backgrounds coming together,” Kandere says.
The collaboration developed through existing relationships and discussions around music.
Kandere says TKB already had a working relationship with Yo Maps and his management, while Lioness was an artist the group respected.
“Once we shared the idea and the direction of the song, everyone connected with the concept,” he says.
According to Kandere, the artists were drawn to the possibility of combining different sounds and reaching different audiences.
Kandere says the song centres on emotions that people may find difficult to express, while its cross-border production is intended to underline themes of unity and communication.
““I Wish You Knew’ is about expressing feelings that people sometimes struggle to say openly. At the same time, the collaboration represents unity,” Kandere says.
“We want listeners to understand that music can connect people, countries and different backgrounds. Love, communication and appreciation are important, and sometimes you need to tell someone how you feel before it is too late,” he says.
The release follows TKB’s earlier single ‘Better’, which Kandere says takes a different musical approach.
““Better’ has its own identity and tells a different story. It has a more direct Afropop approach, while ‘I Wish You Knew’ gives us an opportunity to explore a different emotional side of TKB,” he says.
He says the latest song places greater emphasis on its emotional message while retaining an African sound and incorporating the musical influences of the collaborating artists.
Kandere also acknowledges Millennium Julinho, who he says has supported TKB since the beginning of its journey.
His contribution to the latest project included connections, coordination and other support needed to advance the collaboration.
“Having people who believe in your vision makes a big difference,” Kandere says.
TKB is now seeking to build relationships with artists, producers and industry players across Africa. Kandere says the collaboration with Yo Maps has provided a link to Zambia and a wider African audience.
“Our goal is to take the Kavango sound and Namibian music to more countries while also bringing international collaborations back home,” he says.
The group is also considering an EP or album, although Kandere says it remains focused on releasing individual songs and allowing them to reach their audiences before committing to a larger project.
He says TKB also wants its growth to benefit artists from Kavango through knowledge-sharing, industry connections, collaborations, performances, songwriting opportunities and greater exposure.
“Kavango has a lot of talented people and we want to contribute to building an environment where those artists can also reach national and international audiences,” Kandere says.
