Bravery Kabula 

Upcoming artist, Lucky Mumbela, popularly known by his stage name Yoh Boi, is steadily carving out his space in Namibia’s music industry. Based in the Zambezi region, the artist attributes his upbringing as the source of the clarity and focus in his music identity. 

“My environment influenced the way I make music and the message I want people to hear. Coming from Katima is something I am proud of, and it reflects in my sound,” he said. 

Rather than seeing his hometown as a limitation, Yoh Boi believes it has given him an advantage. 

“Producing music in Katima is actually cheaper compared to Windhoek. You can still find studios and producers here, so it is possible to create good music without spending too much money,” he explained. 

His music is strongly influenced by the culture of the Zambezi region. He often draws inspiration from everyday life and community celebrations. 

“I like to sing about what we do here and the lifestyle in Zambezi. People relate to it because it is real and it represents where we come from,” he added. 

Being from a border town has also helped shape his sound and audience. According to him, the region’s cultural diversity exposes artists to diverse influences. 

Yoh Boi focuses mainly on Afro music blended with Amapiano. 

“Afro music and Amapiano bring energy and rhythm that the current generation enjoys. I also mix local languages with English so that people from different places can still connect with the music,” he said. 

His decision to pursue music seriously was sparked by encouragement to release more songs. He draws inspiration from artists like Yo Maps and DJ Vuyo, along with other successful musicians. 

“I look up to artists who keep improving their sound and building their brand,” he said. 

One of his proudest songs so far is titled ‘Hustle’, which features fellow rising artist StrevmQing. “That song represents my journey and the hard work I am putting into music,” he said. 

Like many emerging artists, Yoh Boi encounters financial struggles. He considers securing funding for high-quality music videos to be one of his major challenges. Despite these setbacks, he keeps moving forward. 

“There were times when I felt discouraged and thought about giving up, but the support from people who believe in my music keeps me going,” he added. 

Yoh Boi, an independent artist, promotes his music via Instagram and TikTok and distributes it on YouTube and Spotify. He confirms he’s earning income through bookings and performances. “Sometimes local businesses and community leaders invite us to perform at events, and that helps us grow,” he said. 

Although he has no immediate plans to release an EP or album, Yoh Boi hopes to collaborate with Namibian artist Kwaito Lager in the future. “Working with Kwaito Lager would be a big moment for me and my career,” he said. 

He isn’t planning to relocate to Windhoek but remains open if it benefits his career. “If moving helps my growth, I would consider it,” he said. Yoh Boi aims to strengthen his music and perform on bigger stages in the next five years. 

-mathebravery@gmail.com