Enter, 2017's bumper album
He's been out of the game for a while cooking up what is expected to be the album of the year. Exit talks about his latest project in anticipation of the launch in March.
tjil met with local singer Exit at a restaurant for a sit-down interview and we were served by a waitress who couldn't contain her excitement of seeing the musician. When asked about waitress's enthusiasm he simply said “Without people like her I'm nothing, I give my fans the utmost respect.”
Speaking of his fans, Exit recently came back from a tour in Canada and England and couldn't put into words how patriotic Namibians are when it comes to supporting local entertainers whether they are based in the country or overseas. “It was a fantastic experience knowing that there are actually people who have lived overseas for five years and are jamming to our music.
“I didn't just decide to take a walk out there - it was the Namibians that have remained patriotic wherever they are and that is a blessing,” said Exit. He also said this year is busy for him as he plans on going back for a concert in New York City.
The recently appointed ambassador of TB and gender-based violence has been on the down low for almost a full year and says he is just taking some time off while still showing face here and there. “I was travelling a lot. A musician of my calibre and creativity cannot take a break because people know my capabilities. I wasn't going to release an album with just singles like I am the key even though some of them were leaked and pirated,” he said. Exit who has been dropping and releasing albums over the past seven years says he took a break simply to analyse and reflect like other major acts do.
He is dropping what he claims to be his biggest achievement yet in his music career and no one will be ready. “Cum laude is the biggest achievement in education and I feel like I have done a lot, I've moved pillars out there. I have set out my personal goals and even though I have not achieved all of them yet - this is my cum laude. This is for getting out of the streets and working hard, respect earned and personal growth,” he said.
Exit said the break did him justice as he was in a better state of mind to deliver and put what he learned from overseas onto the album. “The name of the album 'Cum Laude' speaks for itself. It's going to be one of my best works because I have found myself mentally,” he said.
Exit who describes himself as the crème dela crème of the industry says the Rockaz fans will love the album as it will be his first double album and not only that, it consists of 19 tracks on each CD.
“People have been lazy with the double albums. They just want to release for the sake of having music out but I'm breaking the record with producing 38 tracks.
“Since I took a break without releasing an album, it's time to show the royal Rockaz fans that we have graduated with Cum Laude for real,” said the artist. Exit says his music is diverse and everyone was considered in the making of the album. “I'm one of the very few artists that can cater for everybody with my music. It's about touching somebody's heart by tackling social issues.
“I have a song titled Love, marriage and divorce inspired by Babyface and Toni Braxton and that sets me apart from the rest because this is where I touch the elders.
“The question each artist should ask themselves is what it is that you are seeing outside and what you can do about it,” said Exit. He recently released a song Come over which is also on his album. Asked if he had favourite songs on the album he said no, as all his songs are made with the same affection and time. As someone who has been watching from the sidelines he says the music industry has grown and gave thanks to those who held it down. “There's still something that is missing and I have a feeling it is me to deliver it.”
Exit said he is currently on a project with the National Statistics Agency where he will be visiting schools and giving motivational talks to students. “It's a gig close to my heart because these are the people that listen to me every day,” he said. Speaking on pressing issues and allegations that surround his name, Exit says people are entitled to their opinions. “I am only human, not a robot. Most of the actions that I take I take as a human being. I am definitely not going to kill someone - I advocate for the opposite. I come to my consciousness every day and when I make a mistake I admit it and if you can't forgive me, who then will forgive you because you are also human,” he said.
'Cum Laude' will be available online and at local music outlets by end of March. Exit pleads with his fans not to buy copied or pirated albums.
“Find it in your heart and soul, stand up and buy the album. It's just N$150,” he concluded.
June Shimuoshili
Speaking of his fans, Exit recently came back from a tour in Canada and England and couldn't put into words how patriotic Namibians are when it comes to supporting local entertainers whether they are based in the country or overseas. “It was a fantastic experience knowing that there are actually people who have lived overseas for five years and are jamming to our music.
“I didn't just decide to take a walk out there - it was the Namibians that have remained patriotic wherever they are and that is a blessing,” said Exit. He also said this year is busy for him as he plans on going back for a concert in New York City.
The recently appointed ambassador of TB and gender-based violence has been on the down low for almost a full year and says he is just taking some time off while still showing face here and there. “I was travelling a lot. A musician of my calibre and creativity cannot take a break because people know my capabilities. I wasn't going to release an album with just singles like I am the key even though some of them were leaked and pirated,” he said. Exit who has been dropping and releasing albums over the past seven years says he took a break simply to analyse and reflect like other major acts do.
He is dropping what he claims to be his biggest achievement yet in his music career and no one will be ready. “Cum laude is the biggest achievement in education and I feel like I have done a lot, I've moved pillars out there. I have set out my personal goals and even though I have not achieved all of them yet - this is my cum laude. This is for getting out of the streets and working hard, respect earned and personal growth,” he said.
Exit said the break did him justice as he was in a better state of mind to deliver and put what he learned from overseas onto the album. “The name of the album 'Cum Laude' speaks for itself. It's going to be one of my best works because I have found myself mentally,” he said.
Exit who describes himself as the crème dela crème of the industry says the Rockaz fans will love the album as it will be his first double album and not only that, it consists of 19 tracks on each CD.
“People have been lazy with the double albums. They just want to release for the sake of having music out but I'm breaking the record with producing 38 tracks.
“Since I took a break without releasing an album, it's time to show the royal Rockaz fans that we have graduated with Cum Laude for real,” said the artist. Exit says his music is diverse and everyone was considered in the making of the album. “I'm one of the very few artists that can cater for everybody with my music. It's about touching somebody's heart by tackling social issues.
“I have a song titled Love, marriage and divorce inspired by Babyface and Toni Braxton and that sets me apart from the rest because this is where I touch the elders.
“The question each artist should ask themselves is what it is that you are seeing outside and what you can do about it,” said Exit. He recently released a song Come over which is also on his album. Asked if he had favourite songs on the album he said no, as all his songs are made with the same affection and time. As someone who has been watching from the sidelines he says the music industry has grown and gave thanks to those who held it down. “There's still something that is missing and I have a feeling it is me to deliver it.”
Exit said he is currently on a project with the National Statistics Agency where he will be visiting schools and giving motivational talks to students. “It's a gig close to my heart because these are the people that listen to me every day,” he said. Speaking on pressing issues and allegations that surround his name, Exit says people are entitled to their opinions. “I am only human, not a robot. Most of the actions that I take I take as a human being. I am definitely not going to kill someone - I advocate for the opposite. I come to my consciousness every day and when I make a mistake I admit it and if you can't forgive me, who then will forgive you because you are also human,” he said.
'Cum Laude' will be available online and at local music outlets by end of March. Exit pleads with his fans not to buy copied or pirated albums.
“Find it in your heart and soul, stand up and buy the album. It's just N$150,” he concluded.
June Shimuoshili
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