Don’t stop the music

Tunohole Mungoba

With three projects out, Peacemakers have committed themselves to learning more about their craft and using music to connect with the youth and to inspire each and everyone through their art

Made up of Eric Nengola and Godhard Muchopa, the young aspiring music enthusiasts start making music during the late months of 2015. “I started freesyling in primary school, but I never really thought it was something I could do. I simply participated because I could words together and it would sound good. As I started my high school career, I recorded my first song in 2012 when I met Skinny G, a producer. He introduced me to producing and making music,” says Muchopa who is popularly known as Sonny Vision in the music scene. “My close friends and family members did like the song and I did not receive any criticism as that time, no one wanted to put me down.”

The two met together in high school and the music brought them closer together. “For me, I have always been a fan of music. I grew up listening to a different variety, but I never took interest as I wanted to find those I am comfortable with to express my music side,” says Nengola also known as Kid Wasabi. In 2015, the duo wrote their first song titled ‘Sober Souls’ in Nengola’s house, but he still did not want to step into the music scene. “After a few tries, I decided to take it seriously and that was when I started being committed as Sonny saw that I also had a side to express and my own story to tell. A lot of people in my life were against my choices, but doing music felt right so I continued,” says Kid Wasabi.

Kid Wasabi is responsible for the production of their music and he taught himself to produce and make beats in his room with his laptop. “Slowly, but surely I started collecting my own things and starting watching tutorials and shows like Rhythm Roulette where I was taught about the insides of music making,” he says. Sonny Vision is a second year student at the College of the Arts studying sound engineering and he decided upon this decision as he wanted to do something within his field. “It was the only route I could take. I wanted to find something that can contribute to my art as it can add to my knowledge. It was a challenge at first, but my willingness to be better has helped me grasped everything,” says Sonny.

The two have a dream of improving their sound and having a studio where different artists could come and have their music recorded and mastered. “I do not only want to known as a musician. I want to be a creative in my field and produce sound tracks to animations and movies. I want to do everything all music,” says Kid Wasabi. “Our music is something different, because we do not want to be on the same train that other musicians are on. Because you will not be the first.”

The two experienced personality clashes as part of their challenges and it was simply because they are two different people, but their message was the same. Morose speaks about their experience after high school as they have come to terms with losing friends that they thought would be around forever. “Losing friends is part of the growth.”

So what should the youth do about following their dreams? The two advised all young people to chase and work hard to achieve all they have set out for themselves. “You should always be consistent whatever you do and try to stay relevant. Always keep on learning and perfecting your art.”

Fast facts about the Peacemakers:

· They have three projects out. First were Peacemakers and Soundvapours, Flight School and their newly released tape, Morose.

· The songs from their second album were mostly written in the book room at their school.

· Their music influences are Anderson .Paak, Chance the Rapper, Wiz Khalifa, A. Reece, Shekhinah, Tellaman and Shane Eagle.

· The sonic direction is inspired by producers like Knxwledge, 9th Wonder and The Alchemist.

· Kid Wasabi believes that the production industry of Namibia is good, but there is still a lot of room for growth.

· You can find their latest album, Morose on Audiomack.