Gazza | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Lazarus Karandu Shiimi |
Also known as | Gazlam, Pumumu |
Born | Oshikuku, Oshana, Namibia | 10 March 1977
Origin | Oshakati, Oshana, Namibia |
Genres | Kwaito, hip hop, Afro house, reggae, dancehall |
Occupation(s) | Musician, producer |
Instrument(s) | Vocals, keyboards |
Labels | (2003–04), GMP 2004–present |
Lazarus Shiimi (born 10 March 1977), known by his stage name Gazza, is a Namibian musician.
Born in Oshikuku, [1] Gazza grew up in a family of seven. As a soccer lover, he nicknamed himself Gazza after famous English soccer player Paul Gascoigne. [1] After completing high school he went to study marketing at Boston Business College in Cape Town, South Africa where he advanced his love for Kwaito music.
His music can be defined as a mix of several influences namely kwaito, dancehall, reggae, and hip hop, [1] and his lyrics are about township life.
Gazza toured the United States and Canada, performing in Canada and shooting his reality TV show in New York and Los Angeles as well as a music video called Wambo in New York, making the first Namibian artist to shoot a video and reality show in America. He became the first Namibian artist to have a reality show on the Namibian Broadcasting Channel NBC, named Just Whyling. He received a car endorsement by KIA MOTORS. [2]
To date, he has released 12 studio albums and two Ep's. His 9th album titled Ondjila – Long Journey was launched at The Hage Geingob Stadium on 11 October 2014.
Gazza also serves as a Goodwill Ambassador of Education sanctioned by the Ministry of Education, [3] and as an Ambassador for Team Namibia, as well as the Back To School Campaign (at the office of the Prime Minister).[ citation needed ] In 2016 he took part in a United Nations Information Centre Windhoek campaign to get people to save water by taking shorter showers. [4]
Gazza owns Gazza Music Productions, which releases music by Tequila and Dj Shoza, [5] and a clothing line. 2009 saw him launching a range of nine different flavoured sparkling mineral water branded "G-fresh". [6]
His twelfth full-length album, Misunderstood, was set for release in November 2018. [7]
Gazza won an award for best Kwaito Music Video at the Channel O Spirit of Africa Music Awards held in Johannesburg. JCC Namibia also honoured him with the most outstanding young Namibian Award shortly after his return from South Africa.
His 2005 album Stof-Lap Chikapute saw him receive a total of 10 musical awards in one year - six Sanlam NBC Music Awards, three Namibia music awards, and a best performance award by the city of Windhoek in 2006. This is the most awards received by a Namibian artist in one year.
In 2006 he received six awards at the Sanlam NBC Music Awards 2006, including Artist of the Year. He also won three awards at the Namibia Music Awards (NAMAS).
He won a Channel O African Music Award for Best Kwaito for his hit song "Mokasie" in 2007. [3]
Cosa Nostra: Lafamiliawon three awards at the Namibian Annual Music Awards (NAMAs) with "Shukusha" from the album winning 'Best Music Video of the year 2011'. [8] [9]
The Boss album won three NAMAs in 2013, best house, best music video and best collaboration with Cho Cho, L'vovo, Bah, Big Nuz and Shota.
The album Blood Sweat and Tears saw him win two awards at the Namibian Music Awards (NAMAS), including Male Artist of the Year and Best Video for the song "Kwateni Omnona". [10] [11]
In 2017, he won four Namibia Annual Music Awards (NAMA) - Male Artist of the Year, Best Collaboration, Best Album of the Year (for Pumumu), and a Special Recognition Award for his contribution to the Namibian Music industry over the past 15 years. [12]
The music of Namibia includes a number of folk styles, as well as pop, rock, reggae, jazz, house and hip hop.
Martin Morocky, known by his stage name as The Dogg, is a Namibian musician. Considered a Kwaito artist, his debut album, Shimaliw' Osatana, was released in 2004 to mixed reviews. The Dogg was part of the group Omalaeti O'Swapo, which released one album in 2004. His music is enjoyed internationally, in countries such as South Africa, Botswana, Angola, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The Dogg has performed in France, England, and Canada. He has received awards and nominations from Channel O. He is one of the highest-awarded artists in his country, as well as one of the highest-selling. As of 2022, King Tee Dee has about 11 albums, where most of his songs are on livestream, and over 20 awards to his name, and he is the most-awarded musician in Namibia.
Mshasho Productions, also referred to as Mshasho Music Productions and Mshasho Records, is a Namibian Independent record label founded by Namibian musician and producer, Martin "The Dogg" Morocky in 2003. The company is a subsidiary of The Dogg's company Mshasho closed cooperation. The name Mshasho is derived from its original name Omushasho which is the Oshiwambo name for a shotgun. The label has shaped careers for artists such as Sunny Boy, OmPuff, Tre Van Die Kasie, TeQuila, Karlos Lokos, Chipolopolo, Richie and Kamasutra. The label has so far released ten albums, making it one of the leading record labels in the country.
Sunday Shipushu, known as Sunny Boy, is a Namibian rapper from Ongwediva. He performs a brand of music known as hikwa, which he engineered by fusing hip hop and Kwaito. He rose to fame after collaborating with Gazza on his song "Koko" in 2004. He increased his buzz with his hit single "Balance" in 2005 when he signed with Mshasho Productions.
Shimaliw' Osatana is the debut album by Namibian kwaito master The Dogg, released in February 2004 through RC-Ghetto Records. Shimaliw' Osatana was the first full length kwaito album released in Namibia. The album was immediately hailed as a masterpiece by several critics, and is today one of the most celebrated and influential albums in Namibia. Shimaliw' Osatana, established The Dogg as one of the most profound lyricists in Namibia, introducing his signature rough attitude style.
Take Out Yo Gun is the second album by kwaito star The Dogg, released in December 2004. The album has received many positive reviews from critics despite the fact that it was released the same year as Shimaliw' Osatana. Take Out Yo Gun was the first album to be released on The Dogg's own label Mshasho Productions. Gazza appeared on the album, The Dogg also appeared on Gazza's Zula II Survive which marked the end of their collaboration.
You Can't Ignore is the fourth album by The Dogg that was released on 5 October 2007 by Mshasho and KOOL Productions. The album was to be titled Mshasho: You Can't Ignore and was later changed prior to its release date. The album features the first collaboration between The Dogg and his music mentor Elvo. It also features the first collaboration between The Dogg and Qonja. This album is more mature and very different from his previous albums. It features a dark tone similar to his first release, Shimaliw' Osatana. The entire album is self-produced with DJ Kboz co-producing two songs. As of 2008, the album is the highest and fastest selling kwaito album in Namibia.
Tretius Kauhangengo, better known as Tre Van Die Kasie, most commonly referred to as Tre is a Namibian kwaito musician and rapper. Tre rose to fame after signing with Mshasho Productions in 2005. He is the half brother of fellow kwaito musician, Kavax.
Naftalie Shigwedha Amukwelele commonly known as D-Naff, is a Namibian multiple award-winning and top selling rapper /singer, actor and a former street gangster. D-Naff sings inspirational Gospel / religious music in the style of kwaito, hip hop, kizomba, dancehall and afro-pop. D-Naff is also a motivational and inspirational speaker and has visited more than 100 schools, Universities and colleges in Namibia including the Namibia University of Science and Technology formerly The Polytechnic of Namibia, Windhoek College of Education, Ongwediva College of Education and the University of Namibia.
This is a discography of albums by Namibian musician The Dogg. The Dogg began his professional music career in 2003. He released two solo studio albums in 2004.
Jericho Gawanab, is a Namibian rapper, songwriter, and entrepreneur. He won the Best Male Artist at the Namibian Annual Music Awards (2011) becoming the first hip-hop artist to do so.
Cosa Nostra: Lafamilia is the sixth studio album by Gazza released in 2009 under Gazza Music Productions. Most of the album was produced by the then up-and-coming producer Kapro. It includes appearances from TeQuila, Betholdt, Dama Do Bling, 4x4 Too Much Power and Mandoza among others.
The Namibian Annual Music Awards (NAMA) ceremony was the biggest awards ceremony in Namibia. It was established in 2011 by MTC Namibia and the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC). They would award a NAMA trophy to musicians in recognition of their outstanding achievements in the music industry of Namibia. Along with the trophy, musicians receive sponsorships, endorsement deals and cash prizes.
Eric Sell, better known as EES, is a German Namibian Kwaito artist and rapper.
Atushe is a Namibian musician, based in Windhoek, Namibia. With a career spanning nine years, he has produced numerous hits and five albums to date. Atushe started singing at an early age in a family choir, Sunday school then later on in a school choir. Atushe won a best body builder title in 2010.
Tshuutheni Emvula, sometimes known as Becoming Phill is a Namibian entrepreneur, hip hop record producer, DJ, composer, and video editor from Windhoek, Namibia. He has produced for various Namibian and international artists including Ricky Rick, Gazza, Black Vulcanite, Sunny Boy, TeQuila, Qonja, RUN N.A.M.S., Lize Ehlers, and Zeus.
PDK is an all-male trio band from Namibia. They started off as dancers and were known as The Action Boys. Later they changed their name to Action Geez. Now they perform under the name of PDK which represents the initial of their first name. The group has performed in the Namibian Annual Music Awards. They have also performed in several other reputed award shows and events. Patrick is the lead singer of the group while Dion has a unique style. Kamtonyo is a median combination of the two. The group is known to take inspiration for its music from reality.
Big Ben Kandukira, is a Namibian performing and recording artist.
Diogene Ochs better known as his stage name D-Jay, is a Namibian Hip Hop artist.
David Shikalepo, popularly known by his stage name as Exit, is a Namibian musician. He is considered as a kwaito artist. Moreover, he was awarded the best kwaito and male artist of the year at Namibians Annual Music Awards (NAMAs) awards in the year 2018.
fia(2022)
Wife: Golden Shiimi Tribe: Omuwambo-Kwambi