Vote for the love of Namibia

It is with great pleasure we announce that two of our award-winning artists, The Dogg and Chikune have been nominated for the African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) to take place in Dallas, Texas during October. However, they will need the country’s support to help them win. The Dogg and Chikune are up against other southern African artists like AKA from South Africa, Roberto from Zambia, Nnunu Bomolemo Ramogotsi from Botswana and Busiswa from South Africa, to mention a few. AFRIMMA was launched in 2014 and thus, this is the third annual event. It is a diaspora award ceremony that serves to recognise all musical genres. tjil spoke to both nominees and this is what they had to say.

Chikune
What does winning it mean to you?
Winning it would be a great honour for me and my country and most importantly our music industry, as Namibia has never won it. It would offer an opportunity to put Namibia out there. It would be a direct representation of my talent, ambition and ability as an artist. On a personal level, it would be a direct indicator of a possible business career. The AFRIMMA represents artistry without geographical borders. This international factor is what both my team and I believe befits the direction and position I endeavour for my music.

Will you be attending the event?
The awards will take place in the US and as much as I have accepted the nomination, should an opportunitypresent itself to enable me attending the event, I would be very happy.

Do you feel you have competition from the rest of the contestants?
I have newfound confidence and certainty by the mere fact that the event managers regarded my work worthy of being positioned with such musical giants and influences.

Any final words?
While I am deeply honoured to have been crowned the female artist of the year at the NAMAs, I dream of a contribution and recognition by greater institutions that celebrate the artistic work of musicians, singers and songwriters. I want to be part of a musical history that is shaping, influencing and defining the voice of a generation. Internationally and in Africa I revere and admire Tiwa Savage. She has proven that being a woman goes beyond being a mother and wife. On the contrary, motherhood is but one milestone. I would be lying if I would say that being a wife, a mother, a medical student and a musician is easy. Finding my purpose and striking a balance is what I am all about and what I live for.

The Dogg
What are the awards about in a nutshell?
The AFRIMMA is to recognise African artists that are outstanding in their genres. They are not like the NAMAs, and they just nominate you. I didn’t have to enter anything. I was shocked, I learned about it on social media and now it’s up to the rest of Namibia to vote so we bring the award home.

What would winning mean to you?
It will mean a lot to me and also to the whole country because this means that the Namibian arts talent is recognised and is on the map. The award will be for the country not only for me. The NAMA female artist of the year Chikune is also in the southern African female category so let’s vote for her too and take Namibia to another level. If you vote for me do vote for her too. Let’s leave out personal stuff and do this for our country. May the spirit of Harambee be awoken and be amongst us.

Will you attend?
If I have nothing to do by that time I most definitely will go. I am busy with the smart cut project now which is to encourage men to get circumcised to reduce HIV rates in the country.
It will be nice for me to meet other artists from other countries and network. The government must also get involved because when other countries sent artists to represent them on international levels, they cover their costs like paying flights etc., so they must embrace the spirit of Harambee and help the artists reach their maximum potential too. At the end of the day we do it for our country so they must meet us halfway.

Would you say you have competition in your category?
Yes the competition is there, there are a lot of these young artists and they popular at the moment.
The likes of Cassper, AKA, Emcee, Black Coffee - just to mention a few. These people are all recognised internationally so there is competition for everyone. But that shouldn’t dampen our morale; all we have to do is vote, vote, and vote.
If we vote, we win. If we don’t vote then we don’t win because if you hear that The Dogg won I’m sure the whole country will be happy and even those that are studying or working abroad will be happy to be represented.
The voting process is simple: Log on to the website afrimma.com/nominees-2016/, locate the ‘Best Female southern African’ category and select Chikune or ‘Best Male southern African’ category and select the Dogg and tick the vote button.
The awards will take place on 10 October in Texas.

June Shimuoshili