The music of Namibia includes a number of folk styles, as well as pop, rock, reggae, jazz, house and hip hop.
Mduduzi ThembinkosiEdmund Tshabalala, also known as Mandoza, was a South African singer-songwriter and kwaito recording artist. He was known for his contributions to the kwaito genre and his numerous hit singles, including "Nkalakatha", "Uzoyithola Kanjani, Tornado", "Sgelekeqe", "Ngalabesi", "Godoba", "Tsotsi Yase Zola" and "Indoda", which topped the charts in South Africa and all over the African continent. His second album Nkalakatha, released in 2000, became the biggest selling album of his career, selling 350,000 units..
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 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.
Lazarus Shiimi, known by his stage name Gazza, is a Namibian musician.
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.
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.
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.
Channel O Africa Music Video Awards, once known as Spirit of Africa Music Video Awards, are Pan-African music awards organised by South Africa -based Channel O television channel. The awards were first held in 2003 under the name Reel Music Video Awards. Since 2005 the awards have been held annually. The winners are voted by Channel O's viewers across the continent.
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.
Jericho Gawanab, is a multiple award-winning Namibian rapper, songwriter and entrepreneur. He is regarded as the most successful hip hop artist in the country. He won the coveted 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.
'Stella Tjazuko !Naruses, stage name Stella, is a Namibian musician. She was born as Stella Kavendjii in Omaruru, Namibia and raised in the township of Mondesa, Swakopmund. Stella sings in her native Otjiherero and is best known for her 2004 hit song Kapepo.
Eric Sell, better known as EES, is a German Namibian Kwaito artist and rapper.
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.
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.
Culture in Namibia is a blend of many different people and its culture and customs have absorbed both African and European elements and fused them into a blend of the two. Although the country is urbanising rapidly, a majority of Namibians still live in rural areas and lead largely impoverished lives. It is among these people, however, that cultural tradition survive most strongly.
Erna Chimu is a Namibian jazz singer of jazz and songwriter. Erna grew up at Khorixas in Kunene Region, and Shemyetu ignited her passion for music. She rose to fame when she won several Namibian musical awards in 2014, including best instrumental jazz, best traditional song, and female artist of the year at the Namibia Annual Music Awards (NAMA).
