By Selma Neshiko
WINDHOEK– There is just something I love about Frederick Shitana better known as Lieutenant Shitana’s music. He is one out of many artists who make music not for the money or fame but because it’s something he loves to do.
With two albums already under his name, local Traditional, Afro-Pop and Gospel artist recently released album titled Tetekela Shii (Bad things come first and good things come in the end). In the song Tetekela Shii, Shitana talks about when he first came to Windhoek, without a bed sleeping on the floor on a mat among cockroaches, with no money, working as security guard, and earning only N$400. He would guard peoples cars at night while the owners would be sleeping. In this song he questions the hardness and difficulty of life first in order to have a better tomorrow.
With the song Ekokido in which he features Nakale ya Nakale he encourages parents to stop naming their kids, names with bad meanings because when the kids grow up, they end up acting or doing certain things because of those names. This is specifically for Oshiwambo-speaking people.
Change your life as the title suggestis an inspirational song encouraging people to take care of themselves, to be responsible because their lives is in their own hands. Young people especially should be mindful of their actions. In this song he features songbird, Tequila, who never disappoints when it comes to a hook.
Another song that highlights the album is E-walett featuring Maj Beats and Caroline, which is about men who like women and spend money on them and are left with nothing in the end. The 14-track album contains English and Oshiwambo lyrics and also two Reggae beat songs titled Ndahandukaand Mr Muni, which add an interesting flavour to the mix. He also features other local artists including Petrina and Tracy- Lee. Overall the mixing and mastering probably needed a little more touches but yet again the beats covers it all up taking you down memory lane.
Shitana’s album is available for N$120 at Antonio’s Art and countrywide. More information is available from 0813547791/0816532890 for more information.