Local Rythm and Blues (R&B) artists, both established and emerging, now have a regular platform to showcase their craft.

‘Sunday at 5’ offers great acoustic sounds and a unique and beautiful experience, said host Y’Cliff Luiperdt, or simply Y’Cliff.

Y’Cliff is one of the young rising R&B stars in the land. He aims to redefine and set a new standard for the genre in the country.

“‘Sunday at 5’ was launched on 5 December 2021, aimed at boosting and championing the range and depth of Namibian music through strings and/or keys,” he told VIBEZ! The two-time Namibian Annual Music Awards (NAMAs) nominee said he initially planned to host the concert every second month, but after the second edition held on 6 March, people asked for another one on 3 April. The venue is the El Barrio Tapas Bar and Restaurant.  “We are going to give the people what they want,” said Y’Cliff candidly. Asked about his stance on R&B in the country, the singer said the genre is in a great place, but with the country’s support, it can be better. “We can take it across the borders. I mean, we got the potential to do so.” “I always tell people, R&B is my love language; it’s the closest thing we have to love. We all need it because that’s real life, and I want to be a part of it. When people listen to my music, I want them to feel what I felt when I wrote my music. I get to touch people’s hearts,” he explained.

Born in Vaalgras in the //Kharas region, Y’Cliff’s love for music started at a very young age, in church to be specific. But it wasn’t until his final year in high school that he realised music was something he wanted to pursue. 

“Ever since my debut in 2018, I got two NAMA nominations in the Song of the Year category. Although I didn’t win, being nominated alongside Namibia’s greatest artists was a huge honour,” said the vocalist. Y’Cliff’s debut single, ‘Drowning in My Feelings’, was released in June 2018, and tells his journey under the themes of love, heartbreak and self-reflection. He expressed that communication was one of his weakest qualities at the time, so singing felt better, easier. “That’s how my debut single came about,” Y’Cliff noted, adding that he wants to make more music and create more platforms to support other artists on a bigger scale.”“As artists, we keep fighting for a seat at the table, but the pandemic made me realise that it’s time to build our own tables,” he reasoned. Y’Cliff said the Covid-19 pandemic negatively affected artists, and he could not wait for an opportunity to be presented to him. So, instead, he decided to create one for himself and other musicians.  “The creative industry has potential to be greater, but things don’t always go according to plan (the pandemic), and thus we are grateful that we are still able to do what we love. But now that things are slowly getting back to normal, we can finally focus on being the best and creating the best work,” he continued.

As he looks forward to hosting his third concert, Y’Cliff said the response to the project was organic and positive, and is testament to an independent artist taking charge. While he has developed a small professional circle where everything is self-contained, Y’Cliff is not closed to the idea of getting outside help. 

He is thus calling on all music industry stakeholders to support and help contribute to the growth of local artists.

- ashikololo@nepc.com.na