Black Dice drops Uushimba
MICHAEL KAYUNDE
In an era where the music scene isn’t very welcoming to high volume albums, Black Dice has decided to follow the traditional route and drop an album with many songs.
Uushimba is a 20-track album that features some of the biggest names in Namibian music including Exit, Sunny Boy and Top Cheri. The features are exciting and one does not get the sense that they are an added and separate element to the songs but rather an organic addition tailored to each track.
With regards to production, the majority of this album was produced by Bexxa Carter, with other songs by Momento, K-Ketu, DJ Vuyo and Neslow. A pleasing surprise is the diversity in the production throughout the album.
Uushimba opens with the title track, which features Makilla and Kaboy Kamakili. It’s my favourite song on the album, with Makilla’s verse being the absolute stand-out. Some may have different opinions to mine, but wait, who are we kidding? Makilla not exceeding expectations in the lyrical department is like going to Home Affairs and expecting to not wait in line for a couple of hours – impossible.
Tracks like Eefana Dange, All Over, and Ila Tupopye give the naysayers who claim that kwaito musicians lack what it takes to appeal to the commercial ear what they have been asking for. Songs like Skandaal, Million dollar and Omulipeni speak more to the true kwaito fanatic.
Above all, Black Dice has taken an admirable risk in stepping out of his comfort zone and into an experimental sonic space, particularly with Why. The song, assisted by Zambezi-based artist DJ Vuyo, is a mellow mix of sounds with Jamaican and jazz influences. In fact, it is clear that it was inspired by Sean Kingston’s Dry Your Eyes.
Black Dice told tjil that this project was inspired by the economic crisis Namibia is faced with. “One must be strong to survive here because every move you make requires a dollar, nothing is for free. Everyone is here with a purpose of putting bread on the table,” said Black Dice.
After a long break in the music fraternity due to school and other responsibilities, Black Dice is back with a bang. Uushimba is available at Antonio’s Art in Windhoek and is set to be distributed to other music retailers soon.
Rating: 3/5
In an era where the music scene isn’t very welcoming to high volume albums, Black Dice has decided to follow the traditional route and drop an album with many songs.
Uushimba is a 20-track album that features some of the biggest names in Namibian music including Exit, Sunny Boy and Top Cheri. The features are exciting and one does not get the sense that they are an added and separate element to the songs but rather an organic addition tailored to each track.
With regards to production, the majority of this album was produced by Bexxa Carter, with other songs by Momento, K-Ketu, DJ Vuyo and Neslow. A pleasing surprise is the diversity in the production throughout the album.
Uushimba opens with the title track, which features Makilla and Kaboy Kamakili. It’s my favourite song on the album, with Makilla’s verse being the absolute stand-out. Some may have different opinions to mine, but wait, who are we kidding? Makilla not exceeding expectations in the lyrical department is like going to Home Affairs and expecting to not wait in line for a couple of hours – impossible.
Tracks like Eefana Dange, All Over, and Ila Tupopye give the naysayers who claim that kwaito musicians lack what it takes to appeal to the commercial ear what they have been asking for. Songs like Skandaal, Million dollar and Omulipeni speak more to the true kwaito fanatic.
Above all, Black Dice has taken an admirable risk in stepping out of his comfort zone and into an experimental sonic space, particularly with Why. The song, assisted by Zambezi-based artist DJ Vuyo, is a mellow mix of sounds with Jamaican and jazz influences. In fact, it is clear that it was inspired by Sean Kingston’s Dry Your Eyes.
Black Dice told tjil that this project was inspired by the economic crisis Namibia is faced with. “One must be strong to survive here because every move you make requires a dollar, nothing is for free. Everyone is here with a purpose of putting bread on the table,” said Black Dice.
After a long break in the music fraternity due to school and other responsibilities, Black Dice is back with a bang. Uushimba is available at Antonio’s Art in Windhoek and is set to be distributed to other music retailers soon.
Rating: 3/5
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article