Gazza goes Kwaito again
Pioneer of the Kwaito music genre in Namibia, Gazza, launched his 8th studio album this week. CD sales exceeded 1000 in the first week.
Blood, Sweat and Tears is the singer’s 8th studio album. Gazza said it was one of his favourite projects. It is unlike his previous albums and there is a progressive narrative through the tracks reflecting the singer’s deeper interpretation of Kwaito. The new album has an altogether different vibe.
The Kwaito Adonis talks about his struggle in the music industry, in the track No Money. “fans have this misconception that artists have it good because of the way we portray ourselves in our music videos. But that is not the case, we all go through tough times as husbands, fathers, friends and brothers. I didn’t want to be shy so I wrote about my struggle”.
The twenty track album has already sold 1000 CDs in its first week of distribution. No Money is a house-kwaito track. Gazza said he was not shy to do something new on this album and took a risk with regards to the sound. His favourite track on the album ‘Perfect Woman’ is a tribute to the ladies and was written with verses from Songs of Solomon in the Bible. Another track that the singer is proud of is the Portuguese song ‘Ferra’. He describes it as a song talking about nothing but everything at the same time.
The album was inspired by the loss of his fellow artists, Eclipse and Roger. He worked with nine artists on this album including the likes of Exit, Sally, Lil-D, Black Sheep, Selema and Makox as well as producers Kboss, RUK, and Madbeatz.
The down to earth singer has been in the music industry for 11 years and has managed to put Namibia on the map with his music featuring on Channel O and even winning him the award for Best Kwaito artist for his song ‘Mokasie’ at the Channel O Music Video awards in 2007. In 2009, he won the same award for another hit song ‘Passop’.
When asked about the rumour that he is retiring from the music industry, he said he has no plans to retire, “I will grow old with the music, even when I am old I will still entertain even if it means me playing jazz while you guys eat,” he joked.
