WINDHOEK– Featring Mbedeka is anything but a newbie when it comes to the music industry. In fact, he is one out of many who are trying to uplift underground artists in the Namibian industry.
Featring is not only a record label owner but has also been working at the forefront of the audio culture for almost ten years. The Windhoek based music producer, audio engineer, musician, writer, video editor, web and graphic designer shares his background, work and experience with Artlife’s Selma Nashiko.
Tell us about yourself?
My past is very cloudy and I know little about it and I love to keep that in the past. I was born April 7 1974. I am a very proud black man who got talents in quite many ways. I am a good-natured person but I have a short temper for enjoying things like the so called “African time”. I spent my childhood of 11 years in Germany and that’s where I got to learn the importance of time. I love being surrounded by friends. I love helping others even at times I can’t effort. I’m a very quiet person but I can also be talkative sometimes but it all depends on my mood.
How did you get started in the music and entertainment industry?
Music has always been my passion and I strongly believe that it is the music that found interest in me. I love music because it will live long after I am gone. At the age of 11, I fixed my very first radio. Around the same time I was already acting as a DJ, spinning old school boom box tapes late at night when we were naughty kids at the hostel back in Germany. I had a full equipped DJ set, with four speakers to rock a whole party, or even a small performing event. In 2004, I use to DJ at the old club ChezNtemba before I decided to quit the DJ profession and step into music production. Today, I understand all the major Digital Audio Workstations (DAW) out there, for example, Logic, Cubase, FL Studio, Reason, Adobe Audition, Presonus Studio One and Synapse Audio Orion. Both Orion and Studio on One, I know them like the palm of my hand and I can do with them whatever I desire.
How did you learn how to work the software and ultimately do what you do?
By reading and then watching tutorials, which I either downloaded from the internet or viewed on YouTube. I practiced and this procedure I still do today, even though I am almost ten years in the music business. This is a business where you never stop to learn.
Is this business the it?
Like I said music is my love but it does not pay all my bills. Compared to graphic designing, I make a whole lot less capital in the music business, to compensate. I will even start integrating video editing and web designing to my entire business.
Who do you work with?
I have dedicated myself to help upcoming artists and to give them the same chance of quality recording as the well-known artist by means of very affordable prices.
What could great-sounding recording do for an artist’s career?
The one thing all artists are dreaming of, recognition and competing on an international level.
How has social networking benefited your business?
I believe to be one of the first, locally, who ventured early in network marketing. You can cross borders and you can sell your music product on the net on an international level through internet stores like iTunes. The best thing about the net it cuts down on distribution cost. People can just go onto the net and listen, download or buy your work. The net is also a very strong marketing tool. One could simply sit at home while reaching out to the world.
What do you feel are the other elements an artist needs to have as part of their product to go out there and pitch it?
Talent, love and determination. With those three one can conquer the world by storm. Yet most artists don’t really put effort in their work. Many singers don’t practice their vocals and there are even Hip Hop artist who could benefit from vocal training. Some artists need to learn that a strong voice does not come from shouting but from the stomach.
How many of the artists that you work with are able to match live what they’ve done in the studio? Is this the norm?
There was an auto tune era which drove many artist crazy. I am delighted that slowly but surely many artists are getting back to their own original vocals but the industry is still flooded with a lot of fake vocalists, many artist can’t even sing at all but thanks to producer who processed their vocals by means of key, pitch shifting and other high end plugins like celemony, melodyne and auto tune.
Who in the music industry do you think is making the money?
Gazza and The Dogg are still the biggest money makers, both entrepreneurial as well as because of the huge sponsorships they get from corporate companies.
How do you value studio time?
Oh, I get mad if an artist books and do not turn up without excusing themselves. I also hate an artist coming late to the time booked. My recording sessions are two hours per track. If an artist comes late, I stop them if the is booked session. If the artists do not finish their recording within those two hours then they will have to rebook for an extra N$200.
What classifies as a good mix and a good master?
A good mix should simply just sound good and not exceptional.
Let’s talk income. How much can one make as a producer?
Currently I make between 3000 and 8000 but if differs from month to month. I don’t live from making music and it depends on how one charges but If I was to record five artists every day, I would be making N$28 000 at a rate of N$200 per two hour a month. And the same amount I would make if I was to sell five beats a day in a month. The total would be N$56 000 but in reality it does not work like that even with the low prices I offer artists I still find it difficult to get together N$200. Life has simply become very expensive.
How much do you charge for your voice recording and beats?
Voice recording only goes for N$100 for a one hour session. Mixing and mastering a track is N$100 while voice recording, mixing and mastering all together is N$200 for a two hour session. Readymade beats goes for N$200, custom made beats for N$ 300, balancing of beats produced outside our studio is N$100 and radio jingles are N$2500-3500 depending on the status of the client, individual, company or cooperate company. These prices are for upcoming artist only as for established artist the price triples.
Where can artist find you?
I live in Windhoek North, ABT Street, 4, Windhoek, Namibia. Contact: Ekia Records (0814986178) Email: ekiarecords@gmail.com