Charles Tjatindi
Let us set the record straight right from the beginning – I have never been a great fan of local music. When funds permit, I do buy a local artiste’s CD or even two for Ubuntu’s sake. Don’t get me wrong – I am not from the school of thought that regards everything local as being of inferior quality. In fact, on the contrary, we do have some good music producers that expect nothing but the best from their artistes. We also have a handful of promoters who do their best to take their artistes to greater heights. OK, enough praise singing, let’s get to the nitty-gritty.
The question at hand is – how does one identify real Namibian sounds. I mean do we go for the version of Pulakena? Or should rather award it to the Unam choir? We could likewise regard the Mshasho boss of representing true Namibian sounds – that is of cause provided we award one or the other price to his rival – GMP.
Please let us not dwell any further on Mshasho and GMP – I shudder to think what will happen to me. What about Peter Josef Augab…or maybe Jackson Kaujeua? I don’t know…do we have more choices? Of course, we have more choices! We have more self-proclaimed hip-hop artistes emerging daily that it is almost hard to keep track. Roger-D, AKA The Notorious, Slum Party Maestro PG, Fennie Fabulous – we all have them! I wonder if they went to the same school of names like our Shebeen Owners from the North.
But seriously, which is the real Namibian sound? I mean, Stella could have won us a Kora. Had she won, then everyone would be asking where she is from. That would undoubtfully set the stage for the rebirth of Namibian music. No need to dwell on couldas and wouldas. Let’s face the real issue at hand. We do not have musical chords originating out of our motherland – period. Or any that would enjoy a consensus as being a true representative of Namibian music.
And I thought our diversity and democracy was something to be proud of! Bubblegum music is no wonder the most influential genre in Namibia, However, just like a bubblegum that has exhausted its sweetness – we have to spit it out some time, and chew on our own unique genre!
Being an ardent fan of Golden Oldies myself, I have resigned myself to doom and gloom. It will rain potatoes the day you see the Chez Ntemba DJ inviting everyone to the dance floor to the tunes of Credence Clear Water Revival’s Bad Moon Rising. You will also never enter Club Thriller, and find yourself swinging hips to Billy Joel’s River of Dreams. Now you know why I stay at home on weekends! But then again – that’s just me.
Meanwhile, I will keep trying to find genuine Namibian music – I just might tend to like it. If you agree, say Eewa!