Latoya Stella leans into love with new single ‘Obinna’
‘Obinna’ out today
Inspired by real love and styled with cinematic softness, Namibia's rising star delivers her most vulnerable work yet — and hints at a bold future in music.
Latoya Stella is a name increasingly echoing through Namibia’s music circles – and for good reason.
With each release, the rising singer-songwriter continues to carve out her own lane, blending lyrical sincerity with visual storytelling that lingers.
This Friday, 11 July, Stella returns with ‘Obinna’, a single that might just be her most intimate and unfiltered offering yet.
“Obinna is such a special one for me,” she says.
“It’s based on a true story.”
A holiday trip to Nigeria sparked the song. A fleeting yet impactful encounter with a Nigerian man became the emotional thread that weaves the track together. “It’s me singing my heart out about a kind of love that feels real, deep and precious, the kind you don’t take for granted.”
In a musical landscape often dominated by detachment and aloofness, Stella’s approach is refreshingly earnest.
“I believe in loving loudly, boldly and without shame,” she adds.
That philosophy bleeds into the song’s sonic and visual choices. For the ‘Obinna’ music video, she took full creative control, styling the visuals herself to reflect the same tenderness and vulnerability that define the lyrics.
The video features Efraim, a close friend and model, cast as the male lead, who exudes a gentle, quiet presence designed to embody what Stella describes as “the calm that comes from being loved right”.
The video is soft, slow and cinematic, unfolding like a moving poem. “I wanted it to feel intimate,” she said. “Dreamy and pure, like a soft Black romance.”
Backing her in this pursuit is her trusted team: long-time manager Flacko, who served as creative director, and award-winning cinematographer Didi, her go-to cinematographer and editor. Together, they shaped the aesthetic of the project into something that feels less like a traditional music video and more like a visual diary entry.
Vision board
While Stella is steadily building her discography with standout singles, fans are beginning to wonder when they’ll get a full-length album.
She’s not dismissing the idea, but she’s taking her time.
“An album is something sacred to me,” she explained. “I’m still growing into the artist I’m meant to be. When I do release one, I want it to be timeless, a body of work that carries real-life stories and emotions.”
That commitment to quality over quantity also extends to her live performance ambitions. With her captivating stage presence already drawing praise, she hints at dreams of curating a headline show or national showcase. “It’s definitely on the vision board,” she said. “Once I’m in the right financial position to give my supporters the quality they deserve, I’ll go for it without hesitation.”
As for what the remainder of 2025 holds, Stella teases more visuals and unreleased music that will explore “different parts of my artistry”.
She’s open to collaborations too, as long as they feel aligned with her spirit and sound. “I don’t want to say too much just yet, but the 'Stellars' can expect me to stay active, consistent and full of love.”
In ‘Obinna’, Stella delivers more than a song – she offers a declaration.
A reminder that vulnerability is strength and that love, in all its raw softness, still has a place in modern music. “I’m choosing heart over hype,” she says. “Truth over trends.” In an era where spectacle often overshadows substance, Stella stands out simply by being honest.
With each release, the rising singer-songwriter continues to carve out her own lane, blending lyrical sincerity with visual storytelling that lingers.
This Friday, 11 July, Stella returns with ‘Obinna’, a single that might just be her most intimate and unfiltered offering yet.
“Obinna is such a special one for me,” she says.
“It’s based on a true story.”
A holiday trip to Nigeria sparked the song. A fleeting yet impactful encounter with a Nigerian man became the emotional thread that weaves the track together. “It’s me singing my heart out about a kind of love that feels real, deep and precious, the kind you don’t take for granted.”
In a musical landscape often dominated by detachment and aloofness, Stella’s approach is refreshingly earnest.
“I believe in loving loudly, boldly and without shame,” she adds.
That philosophy bleeds into the song’s sonic and visual choices. For the ‘Obinna’ music video, she took full creative control, styling the visuals herself to reflect the same tenderness and vulnerability that define the lyrics.
The video features Efraim, a close friend and model, cast as the male lead, who exudes a gentle, quiet presence designed to embody what Stella describes as “the calm that comes from being loved right”.
The video is soft, slow and cinematic, unfolding like a moving poem. “I wanted it to feel intimate,” she said. “Dreamy and pure, like a soft Black romance.”
Backing her in this pursuit is her trusted team: long-time manager Flacko, who served as creative director, and award-winning cinematographer Didi, her go-to cinematographer and editor. Together, they shaped the aesthetic of the project into something that feels less like a traditional music video and more like a visual diary entry.
Vision board
While Stella is steadily building her discography with standout singles, fans are beginning to wonder when they’ll get a full-length album.
She’s not dismissing the idea, but she’s taking her time.
“An album is something sacred to me,” she explained. “I’m still growing into the artist I’m meant to be. When I do release one, I want it to be timeless, a body of work that carries real-life stories and emotions.”
That commitment to quality over quantity also extends to her live performance ambitions. With her captivating stage presence already drawing praise, she hints at dreams of curating a headline show or national showcase. “It’s definitely on the vision board,” she said. “Once I’m in the right financial position to give my supporters the quality they deserve, I’ll go for it without hesitation.”
As for what the remainder of 2025 holds, Stella teases more visuals and unreleased music that will explore “different parts of my artistry”.
She’s open to collaborations too, as long as they feel aligned with her spirit and sound. “I don’t want to say too much just yet, but the 'Stellars' can expect me to stay active, consistent and full of love.”
In ‘Obinna’, Stella delivers more than a song – she offers a declaration.
A reminder that vulnerability is strength and that love, in all its raw softness, still has a place in modern music. “I’m choosing heart over hype,” she says. “Truth over trends.” In an era where spectacle often overshadows substance, Stella stands out simply by being honest.
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