SMOKEY returns after ‘losing himself’

After a year of ups and downs, not only in his music career, but also in his personal life, the man who had a long lasting hit with his very fi rst single is back in full swing and on a mission.

Smokey has a story to tell, and intends to do so through his music, especially his latest single which he describes as ‘not customary to the Namibian music scene’.

Smokey (real name Lavrenty Repin) just disappeared from the scene about a year ago but has now returned, promising fans that he is here to stay.

The born Russian who has been in Namibia for 11 years now released his very first single in December 2010 which became a big hit in the industry, lasting for many months until mid 2011. The success of Ron thins was much unexpected, said the man, and led to him losing himself in the midst of this achievement. “I was not prepared for it to go that well as it did, and I lost myself in the midst of it all.”

During the past year, he says, he went through some ups and downs, which kept him from visible activity – also a process through which he learned and became stronger as an artist. The great news is that he is back, and his latest single Lose Yourself reflects the life he led when he achieved success, with a message hoping to inspire other artists to be better and not lose themselves as human beings throughout their success, or in their music. The music video of Lose Yourself is already seen on local television, while the song itself is expected to hit radiowaves by early next week. A full album can be expected soon, with 80 % already done. Yes, Smokey made it clear that although he has been silent, he definitely did not lie back but continued making music in preparation for an album he hopes to release before the end of this year. Many more singles can be expected in the very near future, he assured tjil!

His music, especially Lose Yourself, he describes as not simple but more complex with special effects, and as ‘something very professional, not the kind of thing seen in the country every day’. His normal genre is Afro-Rap, which is a mixture of Dancehall, Rap and Hip-Hop. With his upcoming music fans can expect different types of music including Afro-Pop, Kwaito and Dancehall. Yes, you read it, Kwaito as well. And that is not all. In an upcoming single hoped to be released before March, this man will have lyrics in Oshiwambo. Producers that worked on Lose Yourself are Maj Beats and it also features Jaicee Cole.

Lots of surprises are in store for Smokey fans and with proper preparations, he will rock the Namibian music scene.

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