Back by popular demand

After more than a decade since they released their last successful album titled Sunrise the most celebrated, influential and respected musical group ever produced on Namibian soil during the late 90s is back together again. Their comeback performance at this year’s NAMAs was testimony that the group still has what it takes to get any crowd jiving as they set the stage alight, while taking their fans back in time to earn them a standing ovation. The trio said they owe everything to God’s grace and the people that constantly believed in them during their hard times. “I think all families have their disputes. Some resolve them in a day, a week or years. In our case it was a financial issue and we can’t shy away from it. I think we are just in a fortunate position where we have outgrown a few things, realised our full potential and what brotherhood is really about,” said Damara Dik Ding. While apart, Makoya and Damara Dik Ding had solo projects that were received very well with string of nominations, tours and awards. Thembizo had a personal battle during the time that didn’t allow us to engage in any negotiations. “It was a time when everything failed and forced us to allow time to do magic. I guess I can say it made the bond stronger,” said Damara Dik Ding.
The Matongo Family recently released a new single titled My Everything ft. Melissa on all radio stations as a way to say thank you to their die-hard fans that always stood by them and cheered them on. Matongo Family fans can download the song from their I-cloud account, check the Matongo Family’s FB account to get the link or provide cell phone numbers to receive the new hit.
Matongo Family had a chance to sit down and look at the industry from the sidelines and they said there is positive growth in it. “There is growth compared to when we started out. It’s encouraging to see some peers elevate things to another level and the support from the corporate world. I would like to encourage mentorship more than anything. We are here to pick up from where we left off,” Said Damara Dik Ding. Matongo Family is hard at work putting the finishing touches to the highly anticipated album to be released in due time. Damara Dik Ding said: “We were continually asked to put an album together just for our fans and as a family we decided now would be the perfect time. Matongo Family’s music could never be compared or prescribed to a certain genre thus making our music forever relevant and thoroughly enjoyed throughout the years.” Thembizo says: “We came, we saw; now we are prepared to conquer as our vision is to not just be international, but now universal is our ultimate goal.
They are in production mode and say they have no idea of how many songs the album will have. “It’s definitely going to be all new songs and perhaps a remake of one the old. There are so many new talented people on the market including producers and we are excited to be working with some of them. There will be networking videos coming soon so the fans must be glued to their TV screens and radios.”
Matongo Family promises to always keep to their surprising sounds, entertaining lyrics and stage presence. Shows are already in the pipeline, their first showcase being tonight at DMT Lounge. The group is keeping it as close knit as possible in regards to who they would be working with in terms of artists, producers or even the album’s name. One thing which is for sure Damara Dik Ding will be overseeing and co-producing most of the production process. Their advice to the new comers is to stick to your gut feeling about anything you want to achieve. Nobody had all the answers. Love, Peace and Matongoness.
June Shimuoshili