Gazza (artist)
Encyclopedia
Lazaruz Karandu Shiimi known by his stage name as Gazza, is a Namibian
kwaito
musician
from Oshakati
. As a soccer lover, he nicknamed himself Gazza after famous English soccer player Paul Gascoigne
. He is one of the most commercially successful recording artists in Namibia. Gazza is one of the best selling musicians in his country.
Gazza established his self-named music company Gazza Music Productions
in 2003, which gained popularity in 2004. Gazza has worked with popular Namibian and South African musicians and producers including The Dogg
, Elvo, DJ Cleo, Sunny Boy
, Brown Dash, Mandoza
, Ees
, and Zola
to name a few.
a small town near Oshakati
. He attended "Etosha High School" in Tsumeb
, where his interest in music was exemplified through his involvement in several choirs and his fascination with kwaito. After completing his high school he went to study marketing
in Cape Town
, South Africa
where he developed love for kwaito music.
. The later formed a professional duo with Gazza out of mutual respect and recoded their first hit "Ghetto Life" with the help of Elvo. That song would later steer the relationship between the two. Gazza released another hit song titled "Tanauka". He again teamed up with The Dogg for his other two hit songs "M'china".
. In early 2004 following the success of "Shidolodolo", both Gazza and Doggg's first studio albums, Tanauka
and Shimaliw' Osatana
respectively, were released.
Gazza left RC-Ghetto right after the release of Tanauka to establish his own imprint Gazza Music Productions
. He immediately started working on his second album with his mentor and producer Elvo. The album was put on hold when he together with The Dogg, Pablo and Elvo were recruited to produced an election campaign album for Swapo Party of Namibia titled Omalaeti O'Swapo
. The album's first single "The Presidential Call" was a remake of Gazza's "Shidolodolo", it featured the campaigning president, Hifikepunye Pohamba
and outgoing presidentSam Nujoma
. The four artist finished the album in one week and Gazza went back to finish recording his second album.
His second album titled Zula II Survive
(Hustle to Survive), was released shortly after the release of Omalaeti O'Swapo. The first single "Tala Tala" featuring The Dogg was well received, even though he would later be criticized for always using The Dogg to promote his music. Another song "Koko" which featured a newcomer Sunny Boy
was released, this was Gazza's biggest hit without The Dogg's input. The song proved critics that Gazza could make stunning music with any musician. The song introduced Sunny Boy to the music industry. Zula II Survive was well received earning Gazza a high spot in the Namibian music industry. This was Gazza's last album with appearance from his friend The Dogg.
was released in 2005. This was Gazza's first self-control album without much input from his mentor Elvo and friend The Dogg. The album was released while the feud between Gazza and The Dogg was rising. Gazza gave gave a shout out to The Dogg and Elvo on the first single "Kick It". "Kick It" went on to be a very popular song redefining Gazza's style of kwaito. On the album Gazza adopt more of the South African type of kwaito.
In 2007 Gazza released 467/GMP Till I Die
as Namibia's first double album
. The album features the hit song "International" and the award winning song "Mokasie". The album is considered Gazza's best album overall.
in August 2008. The album was officially launched in his home city of Oshakati
with attendance from popular South African kwaito legends, Zola
, DJ Cleo and Brown Dash, and big name Namibian kwaito musicians Qonja
, Mappz, and The Dogg
. The show was a success propelling the album to successful sale and popularity. The album was well received and it featured artist such as Ghetto Son, Zola, Qonja, Bleksem and Brown Dash. Production was handled by DJ Cleo, Elvo and Gazza. The Cleo produced single won an award for Best Kwaito video at 2009 Channel O Awards.
The Dogg's appearance at the show raised eyebrows due to the feud between him and Gazza. The show will later be marked as an event to put behind the bad blood between the rivals. This move was very much supported by Zola who spoke about the bad things about of having beef. Later in the year, a local Namibian newspaper, Informante, would later reveal that the appearance of The Dogg at the show was business. An agreement was reached in which Gazza would return the favour by appearing on The Dogg's This Is My Time
album launch on April 3, 2009. Gazza failed to play his position and would later appeared on a Channel O
criticising The Dogg. The Dogg would go on a radio show were he calls Gazza gay. The situation was later resolved when Gazza's manager agreed to pay The Mshasho an amount equivalent to that The Dogg help generate at his show. However the beef between the two continued. Sunny Boy
would later diss Gazza referring to the situation when he raps; am like The Dogg, barking and talking a lot of shit, but i refuse to be like Gazza cos he ain't saying shit from the song "Intro" off his third album. According to Sunny Boy the diss line refers to Gazza's fake promises and his ability to keep his word as a man. Sunny Boy would later say Gazza was a fake friend from the beginning.
Cosa Nostra: Lafamilia
was released in December 2009 on New Year's Eve. The event was well attended as fans came from all corners of the country to witness the highly anticipated album. International guest performers included South African kwaito legend Mandoza who also features on one of the hit song "Penduka" and Dama do Bling a popular artist from Mozambique. The sale of the album was a record within the boarders of Namibia. This album went on to win three awards at the first ever NAMMA Awards which replaced the Sanlam NBC music awards in 2011. "Shukusha" a hit song from his album Cosa Nostra won Best Music Video of the year 2011. 2011 was a year of highs and lows for the kwaito artist, he hosted a very expensive and yet successful GMP party at the newly opened Hilton hotel were influential business people, celebrities and South African Multi millionaire Kenny Kunene topped the list of guests. . In 2011 GMP lost five of its employees and artists (Manager Zox, Rapper DJ and the Street Kids).
to music, Gazza started arranging documents to sign the young rapper to his GMP Records. Sunny Boy turned down the offer and went on to sign with Mshasho Records which is owned by The Dogg
, a long time friend of Gazza. The industry started dividing up leaving fans choosing sides. In 2005 the three artist performed together at a concert in Luderitz
, after the concert Gazza confronted Sunny and Dogg demanding answers why Sunny signed to Mshasho if he turned down his offer. The confrontation resulted in a deep rooted arguments and eventually ended the friendship between the three.
This would later escalate competition between Gazza and The Dogg and their record companies Mshasho and GMP respectively.
and Tupac Shakur
are one of his early influences. South African kwaito
legends, Zola
, TKZee
and M'Du also makes his list.
Gazza has won several music awards, including "Artist of the Year" at the Sanlam-NBC Music Awards, as well as two "Best Kwaito" awards at the Channel O Music Video Awards
, for his hit song "Mokasie" in 2007 and in 2009 for another hit song "Passop" which featured South African kwaito artist Bleksem.
branded "G-fresh".
In early 2010, the Namibian Sun newspaper reported that Gazza has invested N$150 000 dollars in a newly launched entertainment gossip newspaper called The 411. Gazza has since acquired 49% shareholding in the project.
Namibian
Namibian may refer to:* Something of, from, or related to Namibia, a country in southern Africa on the Atlantic coast.* A person from Namibia, or of Namibian descent. For information about the Namibian people, see Demographics of Namibia and Culture of Namibia...
kwaito
Kwaito
Kwaito is a music genre that emerged in Johannesburg, South Africa, during the 1990s. It is a variant of house music featuring the use of African sounds and samples. Typically at a slower tempo range than other styles of house music, Kwaito often contains catchy melodic and percussive loop samples,...
musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
from Oshakati
Oshakati
Oshakati is a town of 30,000 inhabitants in the Oshana Region of Namibia. It is the regional capital and was officially founded in July 1966. The city was used as a base of operations by the South African Defence Force during the South African Border War and Namibian War of Independence...
. As a soccer lover, he nicknamed himself Gazza after famous English soccer player Paul Gascoigne
Paul Gascoigne
Paul John Gascoigne , commonly referred to as Gazza, is a retired English professional footballer.Playing in the position of midfield, Gascoigne's career included spells at Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Lazio, Rangers, Middlesbrough, Everton and Gansu Tianma, where he scored at least a goal...
. He is one of the most commercially successful recording artists in Namibia. Gazza is one of the best selling musicians in his country.
Gazza established his self-named music company Gazza Music Productions
Gazza Music Productions
Gazza Music Productions, also referred to as GMP Records, simply known as G.M.P., is an Namibian music production label founded by Gazza in 2004. GMP is one of the most successful music labels in Namibia....
in 2003, which gained popularity in 2004. Gazza has worked with popular Namibian and South African musicians and producers including The Dogg
The Dogg
Martin Morocky , known by his stage name as The Dogg is a Namibian multi-award winning musician, producer and actor. He's one of the most outstanding artists in Namibia and is considered one of the pioneers of Namibia's kwaito genre. His debut album Shimaliw' Osatana, released in 2004, was...
, Elvo, DJ Cleo, Sunny Boy
Sunny Boy
Sunday Shipushu , well known as Sunny Boy is a Namibian rapper from Ongwediva. Sunny Boy 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...
, Brown Dash, Mandoza
Mandoza
Mduduzi Tshabalala , well known as Mandoza, is a South African kwaito musician.- Early life :Mandoza was born in the Zola South section of Soweto, where he shared a house with his mother, his grandparents and two sisters. He never knew his father, his mother claiming that he was murdered the same...
, Ees
Ees
Ees is a town in the Dutch province of Drenthe. It is a part of the municipality of Borger-Odoorn, and lies about 17 km north of Emmen.The statistical area "Ees", which also can include the surrounding countryside, has a population of around 380....
, and Zola
Zola (entertainer)
Bonginkosi Dlamini, aka Zola, is a South African musician, actor and presenter. He also presents Zola 7, a television show named for him, on SABC 1.-Cultural Influences:...
to name a few.
Early life
Karandu was born and raised in OshikukuOshikuku
Oshikuku is a village in Omusati Region in the north of Namibia. It is the district capital of Oshikuku Constituency and scheduled to be upgraded to "town" status before November 2010....
a small town near Oshakati
Oshakati
Oshakati is a town of 30,000 inhabitants in the Oshana Region of Namibia. It is the regional capital and was officially founded in July 1966. The city was used as a base of operations by the South African Defence Force during the South African Border War and Namibian War of Independence...
. He attended "Etosha High School" in Tsumeb
Tsumeb
Tsumeb is a city of 15,000 inhabitants and the largest town in Oshikoto region in northern Namibia. Tsumeb is the home of the world-famous Tsumeb mine, and the "gateway to the north" of Namibia. It is the closest town to the Etosha National Park...
, where his interest in music was exemplified through his involvement in several choirs and his fascination with kwaito. After completing his high school he went to study marketing
Marketing
Marketing is the process used to determine what products or services may be of interest to customers, and the strategy to use in sales, communications and business development. It generates the strategy that underlies sales techniques, business communication, and business developments...
in Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
where he developed love for kwaito music.
Music career
After returning from studies in South Africa, Gazza decided to do music in his home country Namibia. As an upcoming musician, Gazza would experiment with a variety of music genres. In 2003 he met producer Elvo and a young upcoming artist The DoggThe Dogg
Martin Morocky , known by his stage name as The Dogg is a Namibian multi-award winning musician, producer and actor. He's one of the most outstanding artists in Namibia and is considered one of the pioneers of Namibia's kwaito genre. His debut album Shimaliw' Osatana, released in 2004, was...
. The later formed a professional duo with Gazza out of mutual respect and recoded their first hit "Ghetto Life" with the help of Elvo. That song would later steer the relationship between the two. Gazza released another hit song titled "Tanauka". He again teamed up with The Dogg for his other two hit songs "M'china".
2003 - 2004: RC-Ghetto Records - Tanauka - Omalaeti O'Swapo - Zula II Survive
After months of hustling together, Gazza and The Dogg signed a recording deal with a local record label RC-Ghetto Records as solo artist. This raised eyebrows as fans thought the two were a recording duo. Because of The Dogg's popularity at the time, Gazza was overshadowed by his friend which resulted in him getting to work on another song produced by Elvo titled "Shidolodolo" which again featured The Dogg. "Shidolodolo" was well received making it his breakthrough song and bringing him into the spotlight. The song mocked South African kwaito artist MzekezekeMzekezeke
Sibusiso Leope , well known as Mzekezeke , or DJ Sbu is a South African kwaito artist....
. In early 2004 following the success of "Shidolodolo", both Gazza and Doggg's first studio albums, Tanauka
Tanauka
Tanauka is the debut album by Namibian musician Gazza. It was released by RC-Ghetto in February, 2004. It features the hit songs "Ghetto Life" and "Shidolodolo" which both features his then best friend and label mate The Dogg. Productions on the album were handled by Elvo...
and Shimaliw' Osatana
Shimaliw' Osatana
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...
respectively, were released.
Gazza left RC-Ghetto right after the release of Tanauka to establish his own imprint Gazza Music Productions
Gazza Music Productions
Gazza Music Productions, also referred to as GMP Records, simply known as G.M.P., is an Namibian music production label founded by Gazza in 2004. GMP is one of the most successful music labels in Namibia....
. He immediately started working on his second album with his mentor and producer Elvo. The album was put on hold when he together with The Dogg, Pablo and Elvo were recruited to produced an election campaign album for Swapo Party of Namibia titled Omalaeti O'Swapo
Omalaeti O'Swapo
Omalaeti O'Swapo was the only album released by the Namibian political kwaito group Omalaeti O'Swapo . The group included four musicians, Pablo, The Dogg, Gazza and Elvo but was actually the pet project of the Swapo party. The group was chosen and put together by the Swapo party...
. The album's first single "The Presidential Call" was a remake of Gazza's "Shidolodolo", it featured the campaigning president, Hifikepunye Pohamba
Hifikepunye Pohamba
Hifikepunye Lucas Pohamba is the second and current President of Namibia. He won the 2004 and 2009 presidential elections overwhelmingly as the candidate of the South West Africa People's Organisation ruling party, taking office in March 2005. He has also been the President of SWAPO since...
and outgoing presidentSam Nujoma
Sam Nujoma
Samuel Daniel Shafiishuna Nujoma is a Namibian politician who was the first President of Namibia from 1990 to 2005. He led the South-West Africa People's Organisation in its long struggle against South African rule and took office as President when Namibia obtained independence on 21 March 1990...
. The four artist finished the album in one week and Gazza went back to finish recording his second album.
His second album titled Zula II Survive
Zula II Survive
Zula II Survive is the second album by Namibian kwaito artist Gazza. The album adopted more kwaito than Tanauka, and till 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 that shaped the Namibian...
(Hustle to Survive), was released shortly after the release of Omalaeti O'Swapo. The first single "Tala Tala" featuring The Dogg was well received, even though he would later be criticized for always using The Dogg to promote his music. Another song "Koko" which featured a newcomer Sunny Boy
Sunny Boy
Sunday Shipushu , well known as Sunny Boy is a Namibian rapper from Ongwediva. Sunny Boy 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...
was released, this was Gazza's biggest hit without The Dogg's input. The song proved critics that Gazza could make stunning music with any musician. The song introduced Sunny Boy to the music industry. Zula II Survive was well received earning Gazza a high spot in the Namibian music industry. This was Gazza's last album with appearance from his friend The Dogg.
2005 - 2007: Stof-Lap Chikapute - 467/GMP Till I Die
His third album Stof-Lap ChikaputeStof-Lap Chikapute
Stof-Lap Chikapute is the third studio album by Gazza, released in 2005. The album saw Gazza adopting more of South African style of kwaito. The album features production from Bu², Becoming Phill, and David Taren. This is Gazza's first album without appearance from The Dogg.- Track listing...
was released in 2005. This was Gazza's first self-control album without much input from his mentor Elvo and friend The Dogg. The album was released while the feud between Gazza and The Dogg was rising. Gazza gave gave a shout out to The Dogg and Elvo on the first single "Kick It". "Kick It" went on to be a very popular song redefining Gazza's style of kwaito. On the album Gazza adopt more of the South African type of kwaito.
In 2007 Gazza released 467/GMP Till I Die
467/GMP Till I Die
467/GMP Till I Die is a double album by Gazza which is his fourth studio album, released in May, 2007. 467/GMP Till I Die is the first double LP released in Namibia. The album features the Channel-O award winning song "Mokasie". This is Gazza most mature and personal album...
as Namibia's first double album
Double album
A double album is an audio album which spans two units of the primary medium in which it is sold, typically records and compact discs....
. The album features the hit song "International" and the award winning song "Mokasie". The album is considered Gazza's best album overall.
2008 2009: Still The King - Cosa Nostra: Lafamilia
Shiimi released his fifth studio album, Still The KingStill The King
Still the King is the fifth album by Namibian kwaito star Gazza, released on 30 September 2008. The album is considered a flop by many fans, citing its use of foreign languages. Production is made similar to old albums done by legends such as TKZee, Kabelo, Mandoza, Brown Dash and Zola.- Track...
in August 2008. The album was officially launched in his home city of Oshakati
Oshakati
Oshakati is a town of 30,000 inhabitants in the Oshana Region of Namibia. It is the regional capital and was officially founded in July 1966. The city was used as a base of operations by the South African Defence Force during the South African Border War and Namibian War of Independence...
with attendance from popular South African kwaito legends, Zola
Zola (entertainer)
Bonginkosi Dlamini, aka Zola, is a South African musician, actor and presenter. He also presents Zola 7, a television show named for him, on SABC 1.-Cultural Influences:...
, DJ Cleo and Brown Dash, and big name Namibian kwaito musicians Qonja
Qonja
Tukonjela Haiyambo Ngodji , better know by his stage name as Qonja is a Namibian kwaito star and rapper. He rose to fame following his hit songs 54321 and Koek n Jam which he recorded with his friend Mappz. His work has been admired and praised by Namibia's top kwaito artists such as The Dogg,...
, Mappz, and The Dogg
The Dogg
Martin Morocky , known by his stage name as The Dogg is a Namibian multi-award winning musician, producer and actor. He's one of the most outstanding artists in Namibia and is considered one of the pioneers of Namibia's kwaito genre. His debut album Shimaliw' Osatana, released in 2004, was...
. The show was a success propelling the album to successful sale and popularity. The album was well received and it featured artist such as Ghetto Son, Zola, Qonja, Bleksem and Brown Dash. Production was handled by DJ Cleo, Elvo and Gazza. The Cleo produced single won an award for Best Kwaito video at 2009 Channel O Awards.
The Dogg's appearance at the show raised eyebrows due to the feud between him and Gazza. The show will later be marked as an event to put behind the bad blood between the rivals. This move was very much supported by Zola who spoke about the bad things about of having beef. Later in the year, a local Namibian newspaper, Informante, would later reveal that the appearance of The Dogg at the show was business. An agreement was reached in which Gazza would return the favour by appearing on The Dogg's This Is My Time
This Is My Time (The Dogg album)
This Is My Time is The Dogg's fifth studio album release by Mshasho Records. It was set for release on October 16 2008, but was moved up to November 30, 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,...
album launch on April 3, 2009. Gazza failed to play his position and would later appeared on a Channel O
Channel O
Channel O is a South African-based music channel which first started transmission in the early nineties. Its main concept is African music in Africa and the diaspora. Over the years, this music channel has made household names of its presenters such as Mimi, Nonhle, KB, Miss Candy.Channel O can be...
criticising The Dogg. The Dogg would go on a radio show were he calls Gazza gay. The situation was later resolved when Gazza's manager agreed to pay The Mshasho an amount equivalent to that The Dogg help generate at his show. However the beef between the two continued. Sunny Boy
Sunny Boy
Sunday Shipushu , well known as Sunny Boy is a Namibian rapper from Ongwediva. Sunny Boy 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...
would later diss Gazza referring to the situation when he raps; am like The Dogg, barking and talking a lot of shit, but i refuse to be like Gazza cos he ain't saying shit from the song "Intro" off his third album. According to Sunny Boy the diss line refers to Gazza's fake promises and his ability to keep his word as a man. Sunny Boy would later say Gazza was a fake friend from the beginning.
Cosa Nostra: Lafamilia
Cosa Nostra: Lafamilia
Cosa Nostra: Lafamilia is the sixth studio album by Gazza released in 2009 under Gazza Music Productions. Most of the album was produced by then-upcoming producer Kapro. It features appearance from Tequila, Betholdt, Dama Do Bling, 4x4 Too Much Power and Mandoza among others.The album features hit...
was released in December 2009 on New Year's Eve. The event was well attended as fans came from all corners of the country to witness the highly anticipated album. International guest performers included South African kwaito legend Mandoza who also features on one of the hit song "Penduka" and Dama do Bling a popular artist from Mozambique. The sale of the album was a record within the boarders of Namibia. This album went on to win three awards at the first ever NAMMA Awards which replaced the Sanlam NBC music awards in 2011. "Shukusha" a hit song from his album Cosa Nostra won Best Music Video of the year 2011. 2011 was a year of highs and lows for the kwaito artist, he hosted a very expensive and yet successful GMP party at the newly opened Hilton hotel were influential business people, celebrities and South African Multi millionaire Kenny Kunene topped the list of guests. . In 2011 GMP lost five of its employees and artists (Manager Zox, Rapper DJ and the Street Kids).
Seelima: Single
in 2011 Gazza released a hit single titled "Seelima". the six tract disc sold out immediately after release and the song together with the video received overwhelming airplay and topped the local charts. Gazza is currently busy putting the final touched to his upcoming album yet to be named. The new album is said to be released by the end of the year 2011.Controversies with The Dogg and Sunny Boy
After discovering and introducing Sunny BoySunny Boy
Sunday Shipushu , well known as Sunny Boy is a Namibian rapper from Ongwediva. Sunny Boy 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...
to music, Gazza started arranging documents to sign the young rapper to his GMP Records. Sunny Boy turned down the offer and went on to sign with Mshasho Records which is owned by The Dogg
The Dogg
Martin Morocky , known by his stage name as The Dogg is a Namibian multi-award winning musician, producer and actor. He's one of the most outstanding artists in Namibia and is considered one of the pioneers of Namibia's kwaito genre. His debut album Shimaliw' Osatana, released in 2004, was...
, a long time friend of Gazza. The industry started dividing up leaving fans choosing sides. In 2005 the three artist performed together at a concert in Luderitz
Lüderitz
Lüderitz is a harbour town in south-west Namibia, lying on one of the least hospitable coasts in Africa. It is a port developed around Robert Harbour and Shark Island.- Overview :...
, after the concert Gazza confronted Sunny and Dogg demanding answers why Sunny signed to Mshasho if he turned down his offer. The confrontation resulted in a deep rooted arguments and eventually ended the friendship between the three.
This would later escalate competition between Gazza and The Dogg and their record companies Mshasho and GMP respectively.
Awards and Influence
Gazza stated that Bob MarleyBob Marley
Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley, OM was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician. He was the rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the ska, rocksteady and reggae band Bob Marley & The Wailers...
and Tupac Shakur
Tupac Shakur
Tupac Amaru Shakur , known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper and actor. Shakur has sold over 75 million albums worldwide as of 2007, making him one of the best-selling music artists in the world...
are one of his early influences. South African kwaito
Kwaito
Kwaito is a music genre that emerged in Johannesburg, South Africa, during the 1990s. It is a variant of house music featuring the use of African sounds and samples. Typically at a slower tempo range than other styles of house music, Kwaito often contains catchy melodic and percussive loop samples,...
legends, Zola
Zola (entertainer)
Bonginkosi Dlamini, aka Zola, is a South African musician, actor and presenter. He also presents Zola 7, a television show named for him, on SABC 1.-Cultural Influences:...
, TKZee
TKZee
TKZee is a South Africa kwaito music group formed by three school friends, Tokollo Tshabalala, Kabelo Mabalane, and Zwai Bala. The group shot to prominence in late 1997 and early 1998 with their hit singles Palafala and Shibobo....
and M'Du also makes his list.
Gazza has won several music awards, including "Artist of the Year" at the Sanlam-NBC Music Awards, as well as two "Best Kwaito" awards at the Channel O Music Video Awards
Channel O Music Video Awards
Channel O Music Video Awards, also 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...
, for his hit song "Mokasie" in 2007 and in 2009 for another hit song "Passop" which featured South African kwaito artist Bleksem.
Business ventures
Gazza is also known for his high business acumen. Gazza owns a record label and a clothing line. 2009 saw him launching a range of nine different flavoured sparkling mineral waterMineral water
Mineral water is water containing minerals or other dissolved substances that alter its taste or give it therapeutic value, generally obtained from a naturally occurring mineral spring or source. Dissolved substances in the water may include various salts and sulfur compounds...
branded "G-fresh".
In early 2010, the Namibian Sun newspaper reported that Gazza has invested N$150 000 dollars in a newly launched entertainment gossip newspaper called The 411. Gazza has since acquired 49% shareholding in the project.
Solo albums
- 2004:TanaukaTanaukaTanauka is the debut album by Namibian musician Gazza. It was released by RC-Ghetto in February, 2004. It features the hit songs "Ghetto Life" and "Shidolodolo" which both features his then best friend and label mate The Dogg. Productions on the album were handled by Elvo...
- 2004: Zula II SurviveZula II SurviveZula II Survive is the second album by Namibian kwaito artist Gazza. The album adopted more kwaito than Tanauka, and till 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 that shaped the Namibian...
- 2005: Stof-Lap ChikaputeStof-Lap ChikaputeStof-Lap Chikapute is the third studio album by Gazza, released in 2005. The album saw Gazza adopting more of South African style of kwaito. The album features production from Bu², Becoming Phill, and David Taren. This is Gazza's first album without appearance from The Dogg.- Track listing...
- 2007: 467/GMP Till I Die467/GMP Till I Die467/GMP Till I Die is a double album by Gazza which is his fourth studio album, released in May, 2007. 467/GMP Till I Die is the first double LP released in Namibia. The album features the Channel-O award winning song "Mokasie". This is Gazza most mature and personal album...
- 2008: Still The KingStill The KingStill the King is the fifth album by Namibian kwaito star Gazza, released on 30 September 2008. The album is considered a flop by many fans, citing its use of foreign languages. Production is made similar to old albums done by legends such as TKZee, Kabelo, Mandoza, Brown Dash and Zola.- Track...
- 2009: Cosa Nostra: LafamiliaCosa Nostra: LafamiliaCosa Nostra: Lafamilia is the sixth studio album by Gazza released in 2009 under Gazza Music Productions. Most of the album was produced by then-upcoming producer Kapro. It features appearance from Tequila, Betholdt, Dama Do Bling, 4x4 Too Much Power and Mandoza among others.The album features hit...
Collaborations
- 2004: Omalaeti O'SwapoOmalaeti O'SwapoOmalaeti O'Swapo was the only album released by the Namibian political kwaito group Omalaeti O'Swapo . The group included four musicians, Pablo, The Dogg, Gazza and Elvo but was actually the pet project of the Swapo party. The group was chosen and put together by the Swapo party...
, (with The DoggThe DoggMartin Morocky , known by his stage name as The Dogg is a Namibian multi-award winning musician, producer and actor. He's one of the most outstanding artists in Namibia and is considered one of the pioneers of Namibia's kwaito genre. His debut album Shimaliw' Osatana, released in 2004, was...
, Elvo and Pablo)
External links
- http://www.nammusc.com the home of Namibian artist
- http://www.gazza.com.na. Website of Gazza's Gazza Music Productions (GMP).
- http://www.museke.com/node/1621 . Gazza's page on Museke.com