By Pinehas Nakaziko
WINDHOEK-Lamek Shatilwe, aka Satlam, dropped his much anticipated 16-track fourth studio album, My Fans My Blood on Friday.
According to Satlam, it took him a year to compose the whole album, spending much time on finding the right inspiration to eject his brains on how to inspire his fans. His personal favourite song on the album is Track 7-Helao. “I love this song because it is dedicated to my son who was born pre-mature on January 10, 2013. I spent much time closer to him last year, bringing him up and looking into his eyes all the time. Now he is a big and naughty boy. In addition, this is a song I tried to bring the best out of my singing vocals,” says Satlam.
The album has a feel of Afro Pop, Kwaito, Kwiku, Kizomba and Gospel. Satlam tried his hand at producing few of the songs on the album while roping in the experience of well experienced producers in the industry, as well as some upcoming talents. The artists featuring range from upcoming to the best in the Namibian industry. Shekeni, Dorrian, Exit, Pessico, M-Jay, Young T, Tequila, Patrick, J-Kambo and Treckfo are some of the Namibian artists featured on the album. “I believe this is my best album so far. I really worked hard on this one. Interesting thing about this album is that I changed the sound I usually use from one level to another. I tested my voice by singing and it worked well. In addition I brought in different artists with different flavour just to spice up the whole album,” he says.
However, there are no shot-cuts to stardom. Satlam more than anyone is well aware of that. Having realised his talent for song writing at a tender age, it was to take many years, major obstacles and sheer hard work to get to where he is today-comfortable, and where he is regarded as one of the best artists Namibia has ever produced. “It was tough in the beginning because when I started out, I didn’t have enough money for studio times and for taxis to distribute the firm album, and to pay for all the threads involved. So people thought I wouldn’t be able to stand on my two feet but I proved them wrong, here I am with my fourth album,”