Mshasho Productions

Last updated
Mshasho Productions
Mshasho Logo.jpg
Founded2003
Founder Martin "The Dogg" Morocky
Genre kwaito, hip hop
Country of origin Namibia
Official website www.mshashoonline.com, www.mshashoarmy.com

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. [1] 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. [2] The label has so far released ten albums, making it one of the leading record labels in the country.

Contents

History

The Dogg's album Take Out Yo Gun was the label's first and only release in 2004. It dominated charts in 2005, with hits such as "The Dogg Is Back", "My life" and "Ngenge Ndasi". In early 2005, the label signed Sunny Boy, soon after departing from GMP Records. The label quickly released Sunny Boy's first single "Balance" which became another hit from the label. Sunny Boy enjoyed more success and became very popular. Soon after Sunny Boy was signed, former Mshasho manager Isack Nyambali signed TeQuila and Karlos Lokos to the label. He also brought Richie Rich, Chipolopolo and Kamasutra close to the label. In mid-2005, Mshasho added other new artist to its roster including Tre Van Die Kasie, Nasti, and surprisingly OmPuff (who was previously signed to GMP). Mshasho released Sunny's second single "serious" followed by his debut album Young, Black en Gifted in December 2005, around the same time The Dogg also released a new single "Baby Don't Go". The album was very successful and was one of the best selling albums of 2005; it introduced a new subgenre of kwaito which Sunny describe as Hikwa, a style of music that combines hip hop and kwaito.

In October 2006, Sunny Boy left the label claiming financial mismanagement by former-manager Isack Nyambali (this is referenced in "Heat It Up" from The Sleeping Giant ). He then made agreement with The Dogg to drop him off the label to go establish his own. Although he left the label, Sunny Boy still considers himself part of Mshasho. All of his albums after Young, Black en Gifted feature production and appearance by The Dogg, and other Mshasho artists.

When Dogg was asked in an interview by Nammusic.com about his reaction to Sunny Boy leaving Mshasho, this is what he had to say; "Personally and professionally I am very happy for Sunny Boy leaving Mshasho to create his own label or production. It shows how much he has grown as an artist and we are still very close. I just don't want anybody to come between us as we are still very good friends and will remain that way."

Sunny Boy's departure made OmPuff the second favorite artist on Mshasho. Other artists such as TeQuila, Karlos Lokos and Richie also left the label after Sunny Boy. Isack Nyambali was fired from the label. The Dogg criticized him in an interview with Nammuic.com claiming "Isack is only in the industry to rip people off" referring to the corruption he committed when he was managing Sunny Boy, Karlos, and TeQuila. Nasti, OmPuff, and Tre were the only artists who remained on the label.

Kwaito group Fresh Family was briefly signed to the label. The group was dropped from the label in March 2012 after breaching their contract. [3] [4]

OmPuff and Tre Van Die Kasie are both working on their sophomore studio albums to be released in 2012 respectively.

Mshasho vs. GMP Records

The Dogg and Gazza developed quick success after releasing their first albums, which helped them into establish their own record label, Mshasho Productions and Gazza Music Productions (GMP) respectively. They led and dominated the commercial music scene between 2004 and 2005. GMP signed new and upcoming Sunny Boy, who served on the label for less than two months before signing with Mshasho. Tensions between the two labels were heightened when Sunny Boy switched labels from GMP to Mshasho. More fuel was added to the fire when some music fans began taking sides between The Dogg and Gazza, Mshasho and GMP. Also after a while OmPuff who was affiliated with GMP, joined Mshasho.

The two labels are now reconciled and have done roadshows for the ruling party SWAPO together as well as performed some of their old collaborations at the Namibia Annual Music Awards.

Related Research Articles

The music of Namibia includes a number of folk styles, as well as pop, rock, reggae, jazz, house and hip hop.

The Dogg Namibian musician

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 artist in his country, as well as one of the highest selling.

Sunny Boy (rapper) Namibian rapper

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.

Lazarus Shiimi, known by his stage name Gazza, is a Namibian musician.

<i>Take Out Yo Gun</i> 2004 studio album by The Dogg

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.

<i>You Cant Ignore</i> 2007 studio album by The Dogg

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.

Young, Black en Gifted, commonly referred to as Y.B.G., is Sunny Boy's debut album, released in December 2005 after he was signed to Mshasho Records in 2004. Young, Black en Gifted boosted Sunny's commercial popularity, thus making him a common household name among mainstream music fans. The album also established Sunny as one of the most profound lyrics in Namibia. Most of the tracks features a fusion of hip hop and kwaito. Production comes from The Dogg, Elvo and DJ Kboz.

<i>Elai Lineendunge</i> 2006 studio album by Sunny Boy

Elai Lineendunge is the second album by Namibian rapper Sunny Boy, and the first to be released on his own label GreenHouse Entertainment. It was released in December 2006. The album features a much darker sound and much deeper subject matter than, Young, Black en Gifted. It moved away from the mainstream original type of kwaito, used on Young, Black en Gifted and albums done by Gazza and The Dogg, to a hip hop type of kwaito that Sunny describe as hikwa. This style has become influential and has seen Gazza, Qonja, Chipolopolo, Exit & Mushe and many other new Namibian kwaito artist experimenting with it.

<i>Bible and My Music, God & Me</i> 2008 studio album by Tre Van Die Kasie

Bible and My Music, God & Me is the debut album by Namibian rapper Tre Van Die Kasie. The album features production from The Dogg, Elvo and DJ Kboz. Prior to its release, the album became most anticipated, due to its long-time delay. The media praised the album's composition and structure, but criticise it for its poor marketing and promotion. It was accompanied by no video and lacked a professional radio single. Although When I’m Gone managed to chart, it was the only successful single from the album.

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.

<i>Zula II Survive</i> 2004 studio album by Gazza

Zula II Survive is the second album by the Namibian kwaito artist Gazza. The album was more kwaito than his previous release, Tanauka, and until today is considered Gazza's best album. Zula II Survive together with The Dogg's Shimaliw' Osatana and Take Out Yo Gun are considered the first albums to have shaped the Namibian kwaito genre. The album also introduced Sunny Boy to the music industry. "Koko", "KKN" and "Zula II Zula" are the album's biggest hits.

<i>The Sleeping Giant</i> (album) 2008 studio album by Sunny Boy

The Sleeping Giant is the third studio album by Namibian rapper Sunny Boy. It was released on Sunny's new label Yaziza Entertainment in December 2008. The album features production from Namibia's top producers such as Elvo, The Dogg, Kboz, Morgan, and B-Phill. It features appearance from Qonja, Jericho, Hedek, Tre VDK, Nasti, Jossy Joss, TeQuila, Lady May, Luvy, Vanessa, Lokos, and Chipoloplo.

<i>This Is My Time</i> (The Dogg album) 2009 studio album by The Dogg

This Is My Time is The Dogg's fifth studio album release by Mshasho Records. It was set for release on 16 October 2008, but was moved up to 30 November and later moved to 3 April 2009. The album is the first Dogg album to receive a Team Namibia sticker. The album features appearance by Gal Level, Sunny Boy, Qonja, Elvo, Jericho, Dixon, Ricardo, Nasti, OmPuff and Tre. The entire album is self produced.

Belmiro Hosi better known by his stage name as OmPuff is an Angolan–Namibian kwaito and hip hop musician who rose to widespread fame in 2005. He is one of the liveliest performers on the Namibian local scene. OmPuff signed to Mshasho Productions in 2006. He nicknamed himself Puffy after childhood hero Puff Daddy,. After doing more and more kwaito Puffy eventually became OmPuff, making it sound more African. OmPuff speaks fluent Oshiwambo, Afrikaans, Portuguese, and English.

Tukonjela Haiyambo Ngodji, also known as Samuel Ngondji is a Namibian musician. Ngodji who is formerly known as Qonja rose to fame as a kwaito star in 2005 following his hit songs 54321 and Koek n Jam which he recorded with his childhood friend and fellow musician Mappz Kapofi. His work has been admired and praised by Namibia's top kwaito artists such as The Dogg, Gazza and Sunny Boy. His work has also inspired Exit, Mushe and many other upcoming musicians. His first two albums are highly respected within the Namibian kwaito industry and has helped change the standard of music in Namibia.

Mshasho Clothing is a Namibian clothing brand founded by Martin "The Dogg" Morrocky. The company is 100% owned by Mshasho closed corporation operating as a subsidiary. The name Mshasho is derived from its original name Omushasho which is the Oshiwambo name for a shotgun.

The Namibian Annual Music Awards, (NAMAS), are an annual award ceremony run by MTC Namibia and the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation. The awards exist to recognize accomplishment in the Namibian recording industry by celebrating those groups and individuals who have excelled in the past year. The awards were introduced to replace the Sanlam-NBC Music Awards, which were run by Sanlam Namibia and the Namibian Broadcasting Corporations.

The Deception is the seventh studio album by Namibian kwaito star The Dogg. The album is released by The Dogg's Mshasho Productions on 2 July 2011. The album features international artists such as South African kwaito star Brickz and Zambian singer JK.

Becoming Phill Namibian video editor and composer

Tshuutheni Emvula(born October 19, 1981 in Berlin, Germany),sometimes known as Becoming Phill is an 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 (musician), Black Vulcanite, Sunny Boy (rapper), TeQuila, Qonja, RUN N.A.M.S., Lize Ehlers, Zeus (musician).

David Shikalepo, popularly known by his stage name as Exit, is a Namibian musician. He is considered a kwaito artist.

References

  1. Mshasho is a company retrieved on 14/10/2011
  2. The Dogg going on top with the launch of his new label, The Namibian news paper, September 2004
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-09-05. Retrieved 2012-03-23.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) fresh-family-parts-ways-with-mshasho
  4. "Informante". www.informante.web.na. Retrieved 2017-08-17.

Footnotes