The Blacksheep show

Blacksheep whose real name is Naka Shimwino is a kwaito/hip-hop artist signed by Gazza Music Productions (GMP) whose shows always leave the crowd roaring for more. Born in exile on May 20, 1981, in Kwansa-Sul province in Angola, Blacksheep said since January he has recorded nearly 30 tracks for his upcoming album titled “Olufolange” an Oshiwambo word for “My turn”. He was quick to add that no release date has been set for the album and his team still has to decide which tracks will be featured “but it will be soon”. Since the beginning of this year, Blacksheep has been performing nearly every weekend at various events especially at school organised events. Realising that schools do not have big budgets for entertainment, he has availed himself and performed at lower rates to assist the schools projects. Blacksheep says in some of his music he speaks out on social issues of alcohol abuse, gender-based violence and other social ills affecting the youth especially women and children. Prior to getting involved in the music and entertainment industry in 2010, Blacksheep was a professional football player who played for four big football teams including Civics Football Club and in 2005, he was part of the team when it hoisted, the Premier League trophy in victory. After dumping the football pitch for the stage, Blacksheep released his debut album, titled “The Blacksheep Show” in October 2010 which according to him received a warm reception from the audience. However, his two subsequent albums appealed to many fans across the country. Blacksheep’s advice to up and coming artists is to show uniqueness and originality in their music, producing music with messages people can relate to. He discouraged young artists from imitating the “big guns” who have already made it in the music industry. “People do not want to hear the same type [of music] over and over that has been created by existing artists but they expect something new that will make them attend your shows in numbers and pay for it,” he said. He added that for an artist to make it in the game, they should be willing and able to accept criticism. “When people criticise your work, you should accept it as not everyone wants to tarnish your image instead they want to motivate you to do better.” Blacksheep said the Namibian music industry is not lucrative for beginners and advises artists to find other legal means of making money such as finding full-time jobs or starting up other income generating projects. According to the Blacksheep relying on CD sales and performances to put bread on the table is not feasible. He also advised artists to market themselves well in order to be successful and added that in the music industry, it’s all about having a support team that shares the same ambitions with the artist to produce good music and make money. Blacksheep also hailed the growth of the Namibian music industry which over the years has seen how local artists have collaborated with international award-winning artists to give their fans better music to love. WINDHOEK KENYA KAMBOWE