By Pinehas Nakaziko
WINDHOEK– Despite being new on the music scene, the young female singer who plies her trade by the name of Chikune, seems to have a remarkable talent of infusing her appealing and contagious Afro Jazz beat with topical lyrics interposed with love lyrics.
Chikune, real name Colleen Tjikune (22), properly catapulted herself on the local music scene during an electric performance at this year’s Namibia Annual Music Awards (NAMAs) in Swakopmund in May.The new kid on the block in the Afro jazz genre is currently studying emergency medicine. At the tender age of only six, Chikune says she would sing at church and at home. Being extremely passionate about music, in 2012, Chikune’s talent came to stand out significantly after taking part in various singing competitions and ended up competing in Los Angeles (LA), United State of America (USA) at the World Championships of the Performing Arts (WCOPA), scooping the Senior Vocalist of the Year 2012 Award. As Part of the prizes of the competition, Chikune received a demo project with Indasoul Music Productions in LA, which is still to be commercially released.
Chikune’ s dreams were answered this February when she signed her contract with Ogopa Butterfly. She is currently in studio crafting a sound which best represents her. “She was signed to Ogoba Butterfly because she portrayed all the characteristics we were looking for, which included a flamboyant nature, humility and massive talent. We are looking to launch artists who have the ability to compete on the international market and she happens to have the capability. She is mature and easy to work with. Her project excites us especially because her style is rare in Namibia. Experimentation with her for the label will be great,” says Sula Kanyaba, owner of the Ogopa Butterfly.
He adds that when Chikune first approached them, her choice of covers would be songs from the likes of Etta James, Patsy Cline and Nina Simone. “She is what one would say is having an old soul. She was thus inspired by the female and male icons of the 1940s, the fathers and mothers of Jazz/Rhythm and Blues, especially Etta James,” he says.
Her new single, Pumpkin, released on Monday online is complimented by a video. “So far she has three singles ready for release. Each single will be released with their corresponding videos simultaneously. Given the fact that Chikune is versatile, limiting her to one specific genre will be unjust, therefore expect a fusion of Afrojazz with other genres,” he concludes.