The industry has seen an exodus of name changes in the last five years. What pushes or encourages an entertainer to change their stage names? I, for one will never be FOR a name change. There is only a handful that has successfully managed to get their target audience to buy into their new identity.
Let us zoom in on a case study. Operation Oteya. She was previously a member of the country’s most successful girl group-Gal Level. She traded as “Daphne” then. However, on the crest of a solo career, her new stage name “Oteya” has brought her some serious success. It will be very small of us to think that it was solely because of her name that she attained the success that comes with her brand. She had the powerful backing of record label Ogopa Butterfly. Today, nobody will be forgiven for still calling her “Daphne” because of the work put in to get the audience to buy into her new brand.
Entertainers must understand that one needs to have a shrewd strategy if you plan to change your brand. You cannot just wake up one day and decide to change your name without a plan. And when your target market calls you on your old name, you get angry. Let’s not kid ourselves. Changing your brand will cost money. If you do not have the financial muscle, stick to your current brand. But who are these oaks that have changed their names? Crazzy Dogg.
Crazzy Dogg had radio and TV buzzing with his hit single “Summer time” which featured the award-nominated Dj Dozza. His brand almost picked up until he changed his name to “CheckMate”. Let me guess, you had no idea neh? Wait, you didn’t even know there was a chap called Crazzy Dogg neh? And here he is changing his name nogal? Jah neh, that’s the point I am trying to bring across. Rapper LoSki. I always said that he is Namibia’s underrated rapper.
He just needed two more songs similar to “Good to know” (wait re Lil D, im coming to you) and “There for me” and he was going to be in the league of N.I.A, Dice and Jericho-commercially! But nooooooooo, he changed his name to “Robert”. I will leave it there. Lil Kim is 41 years old and she still making millions. Lil Wayne is 32 years old and he still making millions. Lil D(Desmond), go figure champ. Look, change your name-fine. But be ready to invest in the name change. Facebook announcements DO NOT COUNT! There are many other cases. Qonja (Samuelle GotWealth) Lil Dogg (CL’s) etc., but for the sake of space let’s leave it there.
Until the next Loop, we say #GMTM
Song of the week: Prince D: Ti-Kwe
Flop of the week: Any song by Nosholola
Need an MC? Contact NSK for a quote at naobebsekind@gmail.com