Last week, I mentioned that I will start a new series on #IndustryLoop. ‘Unsolicited and Free advice’ is something that I will do once a month, where year in which I offer unsolicited and free advice to creative practitioners on various things.
“Unsolicited and Free advice” is an indication of genuine concern and love for whoever I will address. This series should not be looked at as “hating”. If anyone in your circle tells you “NSK IS HATING” as a result of whatever I mentioned…just know that that person is the problem. That person does not want a change in the status quo. They are completely OK with you either sounding like a fool or you are not reaching your full potential.
Last week, I promised that for the first edition…I will address Azaria, Latoya Stella, Kandaha, C-Jay, NH-Dwayne and Prime Rose. Let’s get it started, shall we?
Azaria.
For the love of vaping, please stop with the Amapiano stuff. It’s not working and it does not suit your brand (for now). What works for you are emotional Afrikaans love songs. The only piano joint that worked for you is ‘I know’. However, if you look at the numbers that ‘Jyt my geleer’ and both versions of ‘laat gaan’ are doing compared to your piano joint…then you will see what I mean.
What heightens the cringe is that you are singing these piano songs in South African vernac. I ‘forced’ someone who speaks Xhosa and Zulu to listen to your piano songs that has you delivering lyrics in South African vernac. They could not finish any of the songs. That’s how bad it was for someone who actually speaks and understands the language. Not because the production is manure…but because your pronunciation and annunciation of the words were treacherous.
I understand that you are probably under pressure from your peers who love piano. You are probably under pressure from endless home chills, outings and occasions where people who you respect and love are singing along to piano songs word for word. You probably want the same affection for your music. Your circle then hypes you up and tells you that the piano route is perfect. Its not. Please stop or delete whatever unreleased piano song you’ve recorded and focus on the Afrikaans market. Evidently, there is massive potential for you there.
There’s no shame in being a typecast. Mariah Carey’s Christmas hit, ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ has accumulated over US$60 million in royalties.
Latoya Stella and Kandaha, it’s simple. Collaborate. Latoya Stella and Kandaha are the future of this thing. A Latoya Stella and Kandaha EP will be explosive. Kill the egos. Focus on the money both brands stand to make. A Latoya Stella, Kandaha combination might just be what takes Namibia to the continent.
C-Jay, it’s been four months since you dropped that song that has every girl feeling cute when it comes on. DROP THE MUSIC VIDEO TO THE SONG. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? Judging by the numbers, you clearly have the ability to make good music that speaks directly to one’s soul. You are not a one hit wonder, however, what will get you those gigs on the biggest stages in this country is your consistency and VISUALS!!! So drop the visuals to ‘Fon fon’ Damab.
NH Dwayne, do not fall into the Ma /Gaisa artist trap. You are not a Ma /Gaisa artist. Your biggest song is literally a Kizomba-infused song. Go back to your soft era. Damara is a beautiful language. There is not a single Damara love slow song that did not hit. That’s your lane. Stay there. Relax with the fast paced stuff. Also, listening to NH Dwayne, one can’t help but dream of a Ian Lovely, Salvador Mouers and NH Dwayne collaboration. Ian with his rwa rwa, Salvador with his coloured Afrikaans & NH Dwayne with his Damara.
Prime-Rose, judging from the two albums you dropped, you clearly love RnB. I am obsessed with R&B as well. However, there is a difference between what one likes and what works for your brand. You truly have beautiful R&B songs. Some of my favorites are ‘Fallin’ 4 You’ and ‘Sounds Like’. Yes, I admit to previously saying that you should not be boxed in. But at this point, I am thinking about your brand. Not what I like. R&B is just not working for your brand meisie.
Your biggest song is a Ma /Gaisa song. It’s a song that features the heavyweight, Jaliza. Dare I say you bodied Jaliza. Again, there is no shame in admitting when something is not working. The best example I can pull out of the hat right now is Kalux.
Kalux is a multi-faceted human being who is fluent in almost every Namibian language. His body of work in ‘Tuhafeni’ included some of my favourites like ‘Onde Ku Ndjulukwa’ and ‘Waripi’. However, on a national scale, it was not working. Soul judging from the numbers, He made the conscious decision to stick to Ma /Gaisa. It has been honey and gold for him ever since. So Ousa Prime-Rose, go hard on this Ma /Gaisa thing. There is something shiny waiting for you there.
Until the next Loop, we say #GMTM
Need an MC? I’m YOUR guy. Hit me up…naobebsekind@gmail.com