Adolf Kaure
In the Bible, the Walls of Jericho refer to the massive fortifications of the ancient city, where they miraculously collapsed after the Israelites marched around them, signifying a pivotal victory in the conquest of Canaan.
Drawing parallels, multi-award-winning rapper, Jericho Gawanab, simply known as Jericho has returned from the ashes after years of struggling with a drug addiction.
Now sober for over four years, Jericho broke free from the chains and walls of drugs and alcohol that once surrounded and gripped him.
The 2011 Namibia Annual Music Awards (NAMAs) artist of the year’s life could easily be an analogy of hitting his back against the wall due to facing so many trials and tribulations.
In recent weeks, the “He ta pa te” hitmaker has been vocal on local radio and other media outlets about how cocaine addiction led him to sell his music studio worth N$ 45 000 for a mere N$ 7000 and other assets, spending all the money within a couple of hours on drugs.
The addiction reduced the lyricist to owning only a solitary television set.
During an interview this week, Jericho, who is also known as “King-Twiz”, told Vibez that life is good, signalling that things are on the look up.
“I got my studio back and I am busy recording my new album in my own space,” he said.
He explained that as a drug addict, it is essential to deal with the deeper underlying issues like being suicidal and not only what meets the eye.
“What you need to understand is. You need to tackle the roots of the problem that is costing you to drink, smoke or do drugs and admit that you are an addict. If you are deep in it already. Take accountability and work on yourself. It was a long journey of recovery, characterised by tenacity to earn freedom which comes from sobriety and being drug free,” he narrated.
The musician has relapsed twice and also survived a near fatal drug overdose after being in and out of rehab.
Jericho’s drug problem went as far as him becoming a tester for drug dealers. This involves testing a hit (crack cocaine) after it is cooked up, just to see if the drug (hit) is strong enough for the street.
After all the struggles, the rapper has changed his ways. In the last few months, he has been involved with various initiatives that raise awareness about the dangers of drugs.
Visuals for “Leave me alone” released
Synonymous to his creative consistency, Jericho released his first music video of the year for his hit titled “Leave me alone” on Thursday.
Produced by DJ Dozza and mixed by Elvo Diergaardt, the song speaks about Jericho’s survival journey and life after breaking out of the chains of drug addiction.
The catchy and rhythmic song is filled with lyrics of Jericho pleading judgmental friends and family members to get off his back.
The music video, which is from his latest The Signature album was shot and directed by Potiri and is available on his Youtube channel.
