WINDHOEK– Oteya, Bulan Matsuis and Promise and Lonette and Blosson are the five nominees in the Best Female category of this year’s Namibia Annual Music Awards (NAMAS).
In the Best Male singer category N.I.A., Kalux, Dixon, Gazza and Exit would be battling it out. “I am excited, nervous, thankful, humbled, and anything positive for my resume as an artist. I have been visibly active, on TV, radio and during performance across the country as an artist. I brought entertainment value amongst fans and fellow artists, and I made a few international strides, where my video Ethimbo received 256 000 views whilst my other single Simoni received 142 000 view on mtaani.com an online east African online entertainment magazine.,” says Oteya, real name Daphne Willibard.
Popular among Damara Punch music lovers with a smashing single Xoro mai bate (Dance for me), Bulan Matsui says: “To be honest, I’ve been working hard on this album and specially the song Xoro mai bate and the best thing is the public love it. The response from the crowd is overwhelming.” In her turn Promise Solani who refers to herself as a songbird, and new kid on the block, says “as a new comer, this is big to me. Even if I don’t take the award, I’m glad that I [have been} recognised. I can’t really say I deserve to be the artist of the artist of the year because every lady in this category wants to win and they have worked equally had. It all depends on the effort put in the album and I can say I have worked so hard on this album, I have heard my songs on the radios and in the bars of Katutura surprisingly.”
Lonette Uupindi’ is a new name to many but has been around for sometimes and now recognised for her single Kondja. But she was unavailable. Being Nominated 12 times for NAMAs 2013, Blossom is a soulful singer famed for her sensational single, Komuthima Gwomeya.
Having been away from Namibia for over 20 years, Hip-Hopper and Rapper N.I.A, real name Ian Nia Wellington, is humbled by the nomination. “I won’t even lie I was surprised to see my name; I lost it for a minute. I feel like I deserve the award because I have worked very hard and I feel like the time for hip hop to take centre stage is now plus the quality of the music I released is second to none.”
“This is something big for me, I didn’t expect this. I bet it’s my time to take my country to another level, thanks to organizers of the NAMAs. As an artist I’m very delighted to know that my music is appreciated and recognised. I do good music for the nation and I deserve this award due to the hard work I put in my work,” says Saggarias Karunga, aka Kalus, an Afro-Pop and R&B musician known for his debut single Hafifange (Make Me Happy). “I believe that the world will catch up with us if we keep doing our thing. My team and fans kept motivating me throughout the journey. I think the people have recognised my contribution to the Namibian music industry and therefore placed me among the greats, “ says Dixon.
“I’m definitely looking forward as this is an opportunity that only comes ones, the NAMA is like an Christmas it only happens ones, it’s a time were music is celebrated,” excites Gazza while Exit sums it all up with “I like to call myself the chosen one, the Namibian young generation believe in me and I believe I can change Namibia.”
CAPTIONS:
- New kid on the block, Promise Polani, one of the five Namibia Annual Music Awards nominees in the Best Female category.
Picture: Promise
- Saggarias Karunga, aka Kalus, an Afro-Pop and R&B artist, a finalist in the Best Male singer category.
Picture: Kalux