Namibian entertainment idol

“Not everyone was dodging bullets, the kids were in schools reading and some like me where into music.” Those were the first words the award-winning reggae legend Ras Sheehama said to tjil. Ras said being a child back then began at Kindergarten and then proceeded to primary and secondary school just like today’s routine. “If you made it to Form 3 then they will make a plan for you to go further your studies in West Africa, and that’s how I ended up in Lagos, Nigeria,” he said. Ras said his passion for music did not begin in exile but rather at home.” Being born in Namibia during the period of apartheid was disadvantageous because we were not free to move at night; I’d see my father get stopped for nothing. For me that was not freedom. I would listen to Bob Marley and that motivated me. Botswana was more of a free state compared to Namibia which was a state of South Africa and that’s where I listened to these musicians,” said Ras.
Ras was sent to further his studies in Lagos at the age of 13 and that’s where his musical career started. When he left Namibia he only knew how to ask for water in English. He said he doesn’t recall ever failing any of his tests. “I was sent to study but when I got there I said thank you God, this is where I get to shape my musical talent,” he said. Today he says his music is a fusion because of the different genres he got exposed to in Nigeria although reggae is his speciality. “After my Form 5 I told the representative of Namibia Nangolo Ithete that I was not going to continue with my education because what I wanted was music and he sent me back to Angola,” said Ras. Ras was also part of the Ndilimani Cultural Troupe but he later left as he did not want to be dictated to by anyone as what he should sing.
Ras recorded his first demo with the song ‘Cassinga’ and that’s how he became a household name amongst the soldiers. “There was no musical infrastructure. There was just one recording studio which was not in use as there were hardly musicians to record,” said Ras. He remembers taking part in the then music maker’s competition and he came in second place after Jackson Kaujeua. “Jackson was my mentor. He was very close to me; he would tell me that I still needed to practise at home on a certain song before going to studio. He referred to me to the people that made my first cassette Kings Music,” he said.
In 1998 he released his first CD and it was the first CD ever in Namibia. His latest album was released last year titled ‘Step Up’. Having being in the industry for over 23 years Ras Sheehama recently turned 50 and had a big celebration bash with artists like Big Ben and Sunny Boy. Ras Sheehama said he doesn’t regard himself as a hero but he will leave it up to public. “The Namibian market is very small. Not everyone can pull it off in their Fifties; the bones get rigid and you can’t jump anymore. You have to be special. It takes strength, persistence and motto to drive you. When I write a song I feel alive. Many are called but only a few arechosen,” he said.
Ras Sheehama is currently working on music videos as there were no video producers back then. “People don’t really don’t know most of my work. So I will be working on that. I have all the music that was on cassette and made them into volumes,” he said. Ras said the only legacy he will leave behind is in his music and nothing else. “The legacy I will leave will still be heard 50 years to come from now and that’s fulfilling for me. Some of my work is timeless songs and that’s how it will be.”
June Shimuoshili