This is one tough a$$ category. It’s always been tough but this year it brings a different twist to the usual fierce competition that comes with this category.
Ogopa Butterfly’s latest edition to the stable released a staler of a debut album. Wish me luck had me struggling to skip any song! The strength of this album? A neutral can listen to this album. Many Hip Hop albums released within the last two years were simply an ear sore for the neutral consumer. He has not stopped his grind with a good album. He wrote a theme song for a popular Namibian series titled Don’t kiss and Tell. He has a brilliant social media image.
Valentino, another surprise much to the dismay of the Hip Hop world has rocked the industry with this nomination. Many simply fail to understand what he has done for this game to be nominated for such a prestigious award. His album, Lava since 94 is a brilliant piece of work! He literally carries the hopes of all R&B fanatics on his back in this category. He is one for the future!
Swartbaster adds to the resurgence of Ogopa Butterfly. He has performed literally everywhere in 2015 but his album leaves much to be desired. There is one song that I am jamming too from his album which is Vakaoi. Though the rest of the album is off, his videos are brilliant! Will his videos and Vakaoi be enough to get him over the finish line in Bolting style?
The Dogg has managed to remain relevant in an industry where there is a “kwaito master” every day from Oshakati West! Though irrelevant in ZAR, Morocky single handedly revived Speedy’s name in Namibia! Similar to what EES did for Mandoza with Ayoba. Twenty six years down the line and we are so good, that we are reviving the very same people we use to listen to when we were fotchol! Dogg deserves credit for that! He also amplified Young T. The success of his clothing line is a match no other.
We have to give it to Exit, apart from his music…he really tried stepping out of the studio to pull corporate moves. He had corporate performance throughout the whole of 2015. He ventured into electronics with headphones with Rockaz branded headphones. Black is boss just made his 2015 a whole lot sweeter as every jukebox in the country was bumping that album.
Big Ben…is the definition of a Musical Vampire! Dude just does not want to die! He keeps coming back with incredible albums. Album after album! He is not your usual saka is los type of entertainer. Trust me, he has his market. Hence perhaps placing him in a group with the rest of the folks above mentioned might be an insult to his fans. Big Ben is the king of corporate performances. He demonstrated his willingness to step out of his Afro-Pop sound with the Mud House Project. Oh and he filled up Zoo Park with Elemotho. Something that has not been done in a looooong while! PLUS, his song 1000 tears should be the theme song against GBV. Your prediction? Tweet using the hashtag: #NAMAs2016 #IndustryLoop