Flying the flag high

Whether it was collaboration, performance, appearance, recording in a foreign studio or award nominations, 2019 saw Namibian entertainers participate actively in the global market. In defining the Namibian entertainment identity, artists are general wary of getting get caught up in South African, Nigerian or American definition of what art and music are supposed to be. However, it is important that we compete and participate outside of the country's borders, and this year has been a step in the right direction. Here is a brief wrap-up of which local entertainers flew the Namibian flag high with amazing international achievements in 2019. Music featuresAward-winning saxophonist Suzy Eises recorded at the famous Abbey Road Studios in London as part of an orchestra that featured one musician from each country. DJ Dreas was in Cape Town at the Red Bull Music Studios, where he was invited to record and produce music for a week. Some of that music was released yesterday as part of his Tangerine EP, which is available on all popular digital platforms. In May, Coke Studio South Africa released the Switch It Up music video featuring Lioness, Boity and Nazizi. It is the first Coke Studio Africa 2019 original track to be made into a music video.Kp Illest featured African hip-hop royalty Ice Prince on a song titled Energy. Ice Prince even visited Namibia to shoot the music video. DJ Siya worked with Zambia's Petersen Zagaze on his smash hit single Kabunya. The two recently released the music video for the song. Tours and performances Award-winning singer Jaleel was once again a part of Waldorf's Hit The Beat tour in Europe in August. Jaleel also signed management and publishing deals with music manager Claude Schmidt and Gema publishing house, respectively. Taylor Jaye waved the Namibian flag high when she performed at the One Africa Music Fest in Dubai on 15 November. Vaughn Ahrens went on tour in November. He did solo gigs in Finland and then flew to Germany with a band. His last stop was in the Netherlands. Tap the Guy was invited by Welwitschia, a German organisation that specialises in cultural exchange programmes between Germany and Namibia. He was in Germany sharing Namibian jokes. 2019 was quite an eventful year for Lioness, this year she also performed at the Lake of Stars Festival in Malawi.MICHAEL KAYUNDE

Flying the flag high

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-07-04

Please login to leave a comment

Flying the flag high

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-07-04

Please login to leave a comment

Login