Namibia’s upcoming Gospel sensation, Saara Amupolo, launches her debut album titled, Dawn, next Friday, November 29, at the Gateway Conference Centre, Florence Nightingale Street in Khomasdal from 18h00. Entrance is N$50. Guest performers include Marvin from Zambia, D-naff, Esther, Caroline, Princess G, Levite, White Ink and Asteria. Artlife’s Selma Neshiko caught up with Saara to talk about music, gospel and her upcoming album launch.
How would you describe your music?
I do urban gospel, which has RnB, Reggae, Hip/Hop and dancehall influences and also with a traditional touch to it.
What is your favourite part of the music making process?
When I come up with a melody, the words are always there. So the moment I get a melody in my mind, and then I just put the two together it’s a great feeling.
You had success doing “secular” music, did you ever regret going into gospel?
I wouldn’t say I succeeded in secular music because it was just a single. Plus gospel music is more satisfying.
Who are your influences?
I would say God inspires me.
What do you think is one the biggest misconceptions about gospel music?
I would say most people tend to think gospel music is just hymns.
What’s your take on the local gospel scene?
Gospel music doesn’t really get much airplay as opposed to secular. But the Industry is still growing, so I am expecting lots of changes soon. I myself would love to take my music far.
Do you only do gospel?
Not really, I also sings songs that inspire people. Like on the album there’s a song called Africa, which calls on Africans to shun tribalism, and to unite.
What has been the best and worst moments of your career?
The best would be holding the cover of my album. Never a worst moment, just lessons I would say.
Tell us more about your album? What can people expect from it?
Mmmh! My album is title Dawn and from the reviews and the feedback I am getting I would say it’s breathtaking. It’s getting positive feedback from everyone. In fact I managed to sell almost 500 copies in September when I released it. So, the album is really doing well. I am getting phone calls, e-mails, all positive to that extent some people are asking for my previous album not knowing this is my first. So I am very happy.
How many tracks are on your album? Whom are you featuring?
It has 12 tracks. On the album I’ve featured household names like D-naff, Tunakie, Lady May, Frieda (Gal level), Bertholdt and Levite. I also worked with artists from outside the country like Marvin from Zambia and Krystal from Kenya. The album also features upcoming artists like Jerry Radix, Pijot, Ngula and Franklin. I’m so honoured to have worked with all of them.
Which are some of your popular tunes on the album?
There’s Enough, which is a simple reggae song that just talks about satisfaction. So there is nothing out there that can satisfy my spiritual being like God does. Without you, which is more of RnB and it simply means without God I wouldn’t be here and it’s straightforward, if you listen to the song you will understand and also Africa, it talks about the challenges faced by Africans and the need to unite in order to stop them. These songs are very popular. The reception is just incredible. By the way, the video of the song Africa will be coming out soon. So watch out.
How do you plan to market your album?
Market starts the moment you enter a studio, not when the album is finished. I started way back and a lot of people who were already waiting for the album, have already bought the album. We are running a competition, whereby you stand a chance of winning one of three mini iPads at the launch if you buy the album. There are also T-shirts we are giving away just to show appreciation. Apart from that, I am also using the social network, like Facebook, Sound Cloud, and Twitter and on an East African website called mdundo.com. My website is under construction.
Apart from music, what else do you do?
I do voice over’s for TV commercials, documentaries and corporate videos. I actually want to join the movie industry.
Last words?
Come to the launch. You won’t be disappointed and maybe you might just walk away with a mini-iPad.