Popya With Mushe

From New Era, Namibia
by Kevin Kamati, 2nd May 2012

From producing music underground, this young man has achieved great success in every frontier he has dared, and has been rewarded artist of the year at this year’s Namibia Annual Music Awards, Namas.

The Northern born artist came to Windhoek in 2000 to attend the Immanuel Shifidi Secondary School where he completed in 2003. Mushe started a home studio the very same year but his work faded from the radar till 2005. “In 2004 I formed a duo with a friend called Names, which went by the name of T2P but which did not gain much success. I continued producing music and turned T2P from a duo’s name into my music label.”

Besides Hip Hop his preferred genre, Mushe also got a lot of Kwaito jobs to produce and in 2006 Exit walked into his studio and Mushe produced two songs for him. “I saw a lot of potential in Exit and wanted to help him. At the time I organised an interview at Base FM with Che “the Goddess of the Airwaves” to give Exit some exposure. Che liked our music so much she suggested that we form a duo as she thought we were good together and call it Exit & Mushe”

After consideration Exit &Mushe were born, with the production part covered under the T2P music label. The duo joined the Blend Production for marketing and administration. Two records later and numerous awards in the bag, Robert their manager under Blend Production came up with a brilliant business plan to tap the duo’s individual talents, creating a bigger fan base and maximising profits. This brilliant plan would see the duo leave Blend Production for an own label.

“Robert wanted to us to produce three albums in one year. Two would be individual albums and the last one would be an Exit & Mushe record. With Exit releasing his solo album, Alpha and Omega, which saw him get individual acclaim. This made it difficult for him to produce an Exit &Mushe album as he concentrated on his solo career. Exit started Rockas.

While Exit released his first album, which Mushe helped produce the studio was getting crowded with new clients with Mushe stamping his name in the Namibian music production industry. Mushe then released his solo Album in January 2011 called Omunangeshefa, with the hit single WumweOtatiKalako featuring Tequila.

The album certified Mushe as a major artist in the industry having sold about 10000 copies since its release to date, telling real stories and carrying a message in his music. Around the same time the media speculated on the duo’s future together and beef between them, which Mushe cleared by saying, “there was no beef or a fight of some sort. Exit was and will always be a brother to me and up to this day we remain close”.

Mushe went on to collaborate with Hella under Hella Production which handles his administration and marketing for the album and him as an artist. This was not his only venture in 2011 but Mushe also started a construction company, a printing company, a bar and has enjoyed massive success as a producer.

Last year saw the local music industry producing major hits with many artists upping their game which in turn saw the Namibian Annual Music Awards (Namas) having fierce competition in every category also pitting Exit and Mushe against each other.

The hard-working plumber attributes his success to hard work and dedication to pursuing his dreams. His hard work paid off when he was crowned the Namas 2012 “Artist of the year” as well as “the best single of the year”. Mushe is still pondering on where to invest his prize money but said he will only know 100% once the money is in his account. But he promises to be an exemplary artist, representing the Namas, his fans and the crown by serving his communities and providing good music for his fans.

“I remember my father asking me what I wanted to become one day and my answer was a business man. I did not know what type of business but I wanted to make my living as a business man as the lifestyle has always fascinated me.”

Mushe’s next album is almost done with the selection of the final songs for the album the only thing left. He plans to expand his businesses and one or two new ventures and creating and producing more hit songs.

Mushe’s advice to the youth is to simply stand up and follow their dreams, to be inquisitive and to ask for help here and there “as the government or any investor cannot help you until you help yourself”.

The says fellow artist and new comers in the industry must not be disheartened but to work harder, persevere and to keep producing quality music.