By: Julia Heita
Namibian artist Robert Nghifikwa, commonly known as ‘Robbah TJ’, says that the country’s amount of producers and artist managers does not promise quality.
According to him, the industry is slacking because of experience and quality equipment.
“Everyone starts from somewhere, and it is for those with experience to take the inexperienced under their wings and show them the ropes,” said Nghifikwa.
Nghifikwa stated that most artist managers and producers need to study the industry and understand the current trends and environments.
“This can only be achieved if there is unity, which we in the industry need to cultivate. Not only producers and managers but also artists themselves.”
He said producers and artist managers slack on research and innovations.
“That is why you see beats with the same melodies. It’s just recycling of instruments and so on, or you see events and artists not properly managed, without formal contracts or cheated out of their income and so on,” he expressed.
Nghifikwa has been in the music industry for nine years with two released albums.
He said becoming an artist was not easy, especially at the beginning when he had to find a proper producer to record quality songs.
“It’s been very hard to penetrate and make a name for myself in the industry. However, since I signed with Numba Busy Entertainment, we have been working very hard to make it into the industry. With the release of my sophomore album, we are making good progress,” he told The Villager.
Although he has been in the industry for nine years, he is not standing on the table of fame like some of his mates. However, he sees a bright future for himself.
“I still believe the entertainment industry in Namibia is promising but competitive every year. We, as artists, need to shoulder on and keep pushing. Most importantly, we need to keep building each other, our record labels, and supporting each other. That’s the only way the industry trajectory will keep going up. In my language, we say, “Kapena shidjuu shi ha xulu”, meaning every difficult situation has an end,” said Nghifikwa.
When quizzed about solutions to improve the industry, Nghifikwa suggested unity amongst artists.
“Unity is a key to success wherever you go. We need to release songs with good and positive messages and bring hope to those in tough situations to overcome those daily struggles.”
In this vein, he called on Nascam and the National Arts Council to up its game in protecting the entertainment industry.
“Nascam and the art council need to be innovative to develop programs and initiatives that build artists and put money in their pockets. We also need them to create structures to safeguard the industry,” he said.
Nghifikwa was inspired to make music from a very young age by his family.
“That surrounding has instilled a purpose and love of music within me, and I am just here to continue our family tradition. In a nutshell, I can say I am just a born performer, and I am just here to share my talent as a musician and lyricist and claim my stake in the Namibian Music Industry,” he said.
