The Dogg
Encyclopedia
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 Namibia's first full length kwaito album. It was critically acclaimed and would go on to be widely hailed as a classic in the Namibian kwaito genre.
The Dogg was part of the group Omalaeti O'Swapo
, which released one album in 2004. His music is enjoyed internationally, in countries like South Africa
, Botswana
, Angola
, Zambia
and Zimbabwe
. The Dogg has performed in France
, England
and Canada
. He is a common household name on Africa's number one music channel, Channel O
where he earned two awards and three nominations. He is the highest awarded artist in his country.
Morocky is the sole owner of the company Mshasho, which owns a record label
named Mshasho Productions
, one of the most popular and successful music labels in Namibia, a clothing fashion line known as Mshasho Clothing
, and various other businesses including Mshasho Film Inc. and Mshasho Events. Morocky is one of the highest selling musicians in Namibia. Morocky is set to star in his debut movie titled The Inheritance which is expected in 2011.
, a village in east Ondangwa. Morocky has been living there after returning from exile, Zambia
, in 1989. Morocky is the youngest child of four siblings. His aspiration as a child was to become a mechanical engineer while music remained a dormant passion. In 1997, he moved to Windhoek City
to attend his secondary education at Augustineum Secondary School in Khomasdal
. After graduating from high school, Morocky chose to study for a Science
degree
at the University of Namibia
. He left the University, after one academic year to pursue a career in music.
, Malaika
, Mafikizolo, Mandoza
, Brown Dash, Brickz and Ishmael amongst others. He rose to fame following the release of his hit single "Jesus Otati", a kwaito-gospel song produced by Elvo in 2003.
"Jesus Otati" (translated; Jesus is sayng), opened doors for The Dogg's career. The song was very popular and earned him comparison to South African kwaito
star Mandoza
. This was due to the roughness in his voice which was paired to that of Mandoza. His voice was also compared to American rapper DMX
, who is also known as The Dog. Many believe that he got his stage name from him. After creating a buzz with "Jesus Otati", The Dogg collaborated with fellow upcoming R&B singer Carl (now Karlos Lokos), on the hit song "Se twaya". The two songs were some of Namibia's biggest hits of 2003. The success of "Jesus Otati" propelled The Dogg to win the award for Artist of the Year and Best Kwaito song at the 2003 Sanlam-NBC Music Awards. He then founded Mshasho Productions
in 2003 which gained popularity in 2004 after his second album.
who had just returned to Namibia from studies in South Africa. The two started recording together and with the help of Elvo they recorded "Ghetto Life", a song intended to increase Dogg's buzz and introduce Gazza. This song's credits would later bring tension between the two artists. The two artists would later sign solo deals with a new kwaito label RC-Ghetto Records. Upon signing to RC-Ghetto, The Dogg immediately started working on his debut album. He released the critical acclaimed hit "Perfecto Tromentos", the song which would later be hailed as Namibia's kwaito blueprint. The song was well received by fans and is today known as one of Namibia's most original kwaito songs of all time. It took the award for Best Kwaito song and Best Music video at the 2004 Sanlam-NBC Music Awards. Around the same time, The Dogg was featured by Gazza on his hit "Shidolodolo" which went on to be very popular and won an award for Best Collaboration at the 2004 Sanlam-NBC Music Awards.
The Dogg's debut album Shimaliw' Osatana
, was released in early 2004 by RC-Ghetto. It won the award for Best Selling album at the 2004 Sanlam-NBC Music Awards. The album was Namibia's first full-length kwaito album. The album was primarily produced by Elvo, who by then became The Dogg and Gazza's mentor. The album was well received with hits such as "Oshike Shili Next", "Onayena No: 9" and "Mama". The album's success also helped The Dogg to win the award for Artist of the Year for the second time at the 2004 Sanlam-NBC Music Awards.
The album created a fabulous fan base for The Dogg and caught Swapo politicians attention to put him on the Omalaeti O'Swapo
album were he worked with Elvo, Gazza
and Pablo. This album was sponsored by the Swapo political party to promote the 2004 presidential elections. This was The Dogg's second major album project in 2004, released between his first and second album.
After the Omalaeti O'Swapo project, Dogg devoted his time to finish his second album entitled, Take Out Yo Gun
which earned him respect to be hailed as Namibia's top artist. The album was released on his label Mshasho Productions. It was the first album to be released on the label. The album's title was criticised for promoting violence among the youth. The Dogg defended the title claiming that Gun is a wordplay for Mic, referring to those who wish to step up to his level to take out their mics if they can really rap. Despite its criticism, the album received significance sales and topped the local charts while its songs maintained a blasting effect on the radio waves. Songs such as "The Dogg Is Back", "My Life" and "Ngenge Ndasi" were among the most popular hits. "The Dogg Is Back" won awards for Best Kwaito song and Best Video at the 2005 Sanlam-NBC Music Awards. The album's success also pushed Dogg to win the Artist of the Year award for the third time in three years at the 2005 Sanlam-NBC Music Awards. That award send him on a trip to France
to give a of broadcast Namibian music to international audiences.
The Artist of the Year award raised eyebrows by other artist who started discriminating Sanlam-NBC's awarding system. This situation will later bring bad blood between The Dogg and music partner Gazza whom critics claimed was robbed the award.
The Dogg became a friend of Sunny Boy. Through friendship and association, Sunny Boy created a bond with Gazza. After noticing his talent, Gazza featured Sunny Boy on his hit song "Koko" which appeared on his second album Zula II Survive
. While Gazza was associating with the young rapper, The Dogg offered him a contract and signed him to his Mshasho Productions. At a concert in Luderitz
The Dogg and Gazza got involved in a rooted argument which would later turn sour, prohibiting the two to work together in future. The argument was driven by Sunny Boy's decision to sign with Mshasho which Gazza claimed was a betrayal as he had plans of signing him to his Gazza Music Productions
. After the news hit the media, fans started choosing sides. A lot of other issue started to surface including an argument surrounding the Sanlam-NBC Artist of Year award which was unfairly awarded to The Dogg.
The Dogg started promoting his clothing label, Mshasho Clothing
which would later become very popular. He started working on his third album, originally titled Mshasho Mos! which was set to be released in December 2005 a week before Sunny Boy's debut album. The album was highly pirated
and caused The Dogg to cancel it. Sunny Boy released "Balance" produced by DJ Kboz which became very popular inviting more fans to the Mshasho camp. Sunny Boy brought along his group Y.B.G. for support as war between GMP and Mshasho was escalating. Another successful single "Serious" with production from The Dogg was released prior to the release of his debut album. In December 2005, Sunny Boy released Young, Black en Gifted
on Mshasho Productions. At this point The Dogg has started to produced music and he produced half of Young, Black en Gifted including the hit single "Serious". He also produced the hit song "Best of Both Worlds" for Faizel MC which features appearance by him and Sunny Boy.
. He also started focusing more on producing his own music. Introducing TeeDee serve as a remix version of Mshasho Mos! and consisted of revised songs which were originally recorded for Mshasho Mos!. The long awaited album was released in May 2006 and was rated as the number one top selling album for seven consecutive months in 2006 by Universal Sound Store. The album topped the Namibian music charts with songs such as "Baby Don't Go", "Like This", "The Dogg Is Here to Stay", "Small Town Girl" and "Inakusha". The Dogg has co-produced the entire album with Jay Malgas. On the album The Dogg also introduced his label's artist (OmPuff
, Sunny Boy, Tre
and Nasti) who all appeared on the album. The first single "Baby Don't Go" won two awards at the 2006 Sanlam-NBC Music Awards for Best Collaboration and Best Afro-pop. It also won two awards at the 2006 Namibian Music Awards
for Best Collaboration and Best single. The Dogg also won the award for Best Hip Hop Song in 2006 at Sanlam-NBC Music Awards. In 2007 it was nominated and won the award for Best New Comer at the Channel-O Spirit of Africa Video Awards
.
in the beginning of the year and had various tours around Namibia with his Mshasho crew. Despite the success of his last album Introducing TeeDee
, he was highly criticized of selling out. He prove critics wrong with the released of You Can't Ignore
which was considered a comeback classic and was compared to his first and second album for its hardcore beats and dark lyrics. The album was well received denying Gazza's 2007 double album 467/GMP Till I Die
airplay at the time of its release. The entire album was self-produced under the mentor guidance of Elvo, with only two songs produced by DJ Kboz.
The first single from the album "Can You Feel It" was produced by DJ Kboz. It features Mshasho artist Tre Van Die Kasie
. The song became a popular hit across Namibia's borders winning an award at the 2008 Channeol O Music Video Awards for the category Best Kwatito Video. It also won Song of the Year and Best Single at the 2007 Sanlam-NBC Music Awards. The album became very successful winning The Dogg his forth award for Artist of the Year at the same ceremony in 2007. The Dogg has won this award four times in five years. Another popular song was "Get Sum More" produced by DJ Kboz and featured most anticipated rapper at the time Qonja
. The song was a very popular club hit. It won an award for Best Collaboration 2008 Namibian Music Awards. Another popular song "My Girl" also won Best Single at the same awards. The success of the album made it possible for The dogg to win the People's Choice Award at the same Awards. The video for "Hands Up" was nominated by Channeol O Music Video Awards in 2009 for the catogory Best Kwaito Video and lost to Gazza's "Passop". The Dogg also approached Gazza on "He He He" and Jericho
on "Hands Up".
In December 2007, The Dogg served as executive producer for OmPuff's debut album Phone Call
. He also apperaed on the album and has offered production for some songs.
's debut album Bible and My Music, God & Me
under Mshasho Records. He continued working with Sunny Boy and produced his Song of the Year award winning song "Heat It Up" which appeared on Sunny Boy's The Sleeping Giant
. He produced and was featured on a song from Qonja's Mdakadaka
album. Later that year he produced and appeared on a popular club song for Tate Buti's album Oteendela. He appeared and produced on two more albums in 2008 including former Mshasho artist Karlos Lokos' Timeless and Kavax's U-Turn.
In August
, 2008, Morocky surprised his fans by performing at Gazza
's Still The King
album launch in his home ground of Oshakati
. The two performed their old duet hit "Shidolodolo". The surprised was well received as it was seen as the end of the feud between the two artists and their record labels. South African kwaito legend Zola
, who made an appearance at the show, supported the idea of the two working together and labeled beef as an western thing. The two artists agreed that Gazza would return the favour by appearing at The Dogg's This Is My Time
album launch on April 3, 2009. Gazza failed to fulfill his part of the deal. However it was later revealed that the performance was all business, it was an idea to get The Dogg's fans in Oshakati and the north to attend the event in numbers. It later followed that the two did not bury their differences, after a Gazza's critic statement towards The Dogg on a Channel O
show. Morocky responded with insulting words on a radio show labeling Gazza a queen and a fake man. In March 2009, informante newspaper published information surrounding the business deal which revealed that The Dogg appeared at Gazza's show for business. Gazza would also return the favour at his show. According to the newspaper, Gazza and his manager claimed that he was booked to perform somewhere else, and will not be available for The Dogg's show. This situation forced the two in to a physical fight, Gazza would later agree to pay Morocky an amount equivalent to that he help generate at his show.
On 27 September 2008, The Dogg performed at the first eviction show of Big Brother Africa 3
.
, was released on 3 April 2009 and proved to be another hit for him reaching number one on the charts and selling well in its first week. The first single "Call My Bluff" was released on radio in November 2008. "Call My Bluff" won multiple awards including Best Kwaito, Best Single, Best Video at the 2009 Sanlam-NBC Music Awards. He also received a nomination for Artist of the Year which he lost to E.E.S.. The Dogg produced the entire album himself with guidance from Elvo.
In March 2009, The Dogg was nominated for "African Artist of the Year" by Nigeria's Hip-Hop World Awards. The award ceremony which was secretly held and never revealed who the winner was and denied nominating the rapper. The organizers made a controversial comment about who he was and from which country he was from. When asked about the issue, Dogg said it was funny to nominate a musician you do not know. The Dogg was chosen to be the first celebrity guest in the Big Brother Africa 4
house. He entered the house on Friday 16 (week 6 of the show) and left on Sunday 18. He also appeared the eviction show where he performed "Forget" with Namibian singer Ricardo.
on April 30, 2010. It was the most fast selling album of 2010 and it produced. The album was well received by critics and received mixed media reviews. It was criticized for its poor track listing and the ever repeating solo production of The Dogg which makes the album sound similar to its predecessors. But it was praised by its radio-fair hits such as "Mshasho Army", "Wuzup", "Dream 810", "Mover" and "Jabule" which received two nominations at 2011 Namibian Annual Music Awards
for Best Song of the Year and Best Music Video. The first single "Take You Home Tonight" which features singer Betholdt is the most popular song on the album. The Dogg has collaborated with South African kwaito musician Biblos, and Qonja, KK, Tre Van Die Kasie, OmPuff and Nasti of Namibia.
In October 2010 The Dogg signed rapper/producer
Kanibal
to Mshasho Records. In November of that year he announced that he was busy working on an album with rapper Qonja
. The two rappers collaborated on a short album titled Lets Celebrate
which was released on 16 December 2010 under Mshasho Records. The album was produced by The Dogg and his mentor Elvo. It features the hits "Let's Celebrate" with TeQuila, "Be My Shepherd" with KK and Lil' D, and "Merry Christmas".
singer JK on the song "End of Time", both songs feature Sunny Boy. Mshasho artist OmPuff
also appeared on "End of Time". Other guests on the album includes Qonja
who has previously collaborated with The Dogg on a full album, Tate Buti, PDK, Exit, KK, rap star Catty Catt and Mshasho signed kwaito group Fresh Family.
The Dogg announced via his Facebook fan page that The Deception will shortly be followed by part two album. He also announced the title of the upcoming album although not stated when it will be released. "MY NEW SINGLE FROM DDECEPTION PART 2 WILL MUTE AFRICA ....PAKAMISH"
Besides being a musician The Dogg is also an active music producer
. He has produced hits for several famous Namibian artist
. The Dogg started producing music in 2005 under the guidance of his mentor Elvo. He has so far share production credit with, Elvo, DJ Kboz and Christian Poloni. He has produced and served as executive producer
on all albums released under Mshasho Records. Apart from that he has produced hits for non-Mshasho artist including Sunny Boy, Qonja
, Kamasutra, Faizel MC and Kavax. The Dogg served as the main producer on all of his solo albums since the 2006 release Introducing TeeDee
.
I've tried a few different things, like mixing some house and rave beats with traditional kwaito beats. I'm working on establishing my own unique blend of music says The Dogg in an interview with MTC.Com, October 2007. Through his production career The Dogg has collaborated with Elvo and DJ Kboz, the only two producers who have shared production credit with The Dogg.
and Mshasho Clothing
Apart from being a musician Morrocky has establish himself as a minor entrepreneur. Morrocky is the sole owner of Mshasho closed cooperation which intern owns Mshasho Productions, Mshasho Clothing, Mshasho Events, Mshasho Film Inc., Mshasho Still Water and various other minor business entities.
Mshasho cc was founded in 2003 by The Dogg. The company has been enjoying success with its record label and clothing line since inception. The company is also looking into various business ventures outside music and fashion. The mineral water brand was launched in 2008 although introduced in 2007. But it failed due to the push back of his album, since he wanted to launch it together with the album. Mshasho Still Water, is bottled in Windhoek
, Namibia
. The company had interest in starting his own water bottling company. In 2011, the company will enter the film industry
through its new venture Mshasho Film Inc.
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....
, producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
and actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
. He's one of the most outstanding artists in Namibia and is considered one of the pioneers of Namibia's 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,...
genre
Genre
Genre , Greek: genos, γένος) is the term for any category of literature or other forms of art or culture, e.g. music, and in general, any type of discourse, whether written or spoken, audial or visual, based on some set of stylistic criteria. Genres are formed by conventions that change over time...
. His debut album 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...
, released in 2004, was Namibia's first full length kwaito album. It was critically acclaimed and would go on to be widely hailed as a classic in the Namibian kwaito genre.
The Dogg was part of the group 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...
, which released one album in 2004. His music is enjoyed internationally, in countries like 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...
, Botswana
Botswana
Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana , is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens are referred to as "Batswana" . Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966...
, Angola
Angola
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola , is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, and Zambia on the east; its west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean with Luanda as its capital city...
, Zambia
Zambia
Zambia , officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west....
and Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
. The Dogg has performed in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. He is a common household name on Africa's number one music channel, 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...
where he earned two awards and three nominations. He is the highest awarded artist in his country.
Morocky is the sole owner of the company Mshasho, which owns a record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
named Mshasho Productions
Mshasho Productions
Mshasho Productions, also referred to as, Mshasho Music Productions, and, Mshasho Records is an Namibian 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...
, one of the most popular and successful music labels in Namibia, a clothing fashion line known as Mshasho Clothing
Mshasho Clothing
Mshasho Clothing is a Namibian clothing brand founded by Martin "The Dogg" Morrocky. The company is 100% owned by Mshasho closed corporation oparating as a its subsidiary...
, and various other businesses including Mshasho Film Inc. and Mshasho Events. Morocky is one of the highest selling musicians in Namibia. Morocky is set to star in his debut movie titled The Inheritance which is expected in 2011.
Early life
Morocky began his formal education at Onayena Primary School situated in Onayena villageOnayena Constituency
Onayena Constituency is an electoral constituency in the Oshikoto Region of Namibia in the district of Ondonga. It has 15,684 inhabitants, its district capital is the settlement of Onayena , Currently the Councillor of Onayena is Hon...
, a village in east Ondangwa. Morocky has been living there after returning from exile, Zambia
Zambia
Zambia , officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west....
, in 1989. Morocky is the youngest child of four siblings. His aspiration as a child was to become a mechanical engineer while music remained a dormant passion. In 1997, he moved to Windhoek City
Windhoek
Windhoek is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Namibia. It is located in central Namibia in the Khomas Highland plateau area, at around above sea level. The 2001 census determined Windhoek's population was 233,529...
to attend his secondary education at Augustineum Secondary School in Khomasdal
Khomasdal
Khomasdal is a suburb of Namibia's capital of Windhoek in the Khomas Region. Founded as Windhoek's residential area for Coloured people, Khomasdal still is primarily composed of Coloured people....
. After graduating from high school, Morocky chose to study for a Science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
degree
Academic degree
An academic degree is a position and title within a college or university that is usually awarded in recognition of the recipient having either satisfactorily completed a prescribed course of study or having conducted a scholarly endeavour deemed worthy of his or her admission to the degree...
at the University of Namibia
University of Namibia
The University of Namibia is the national university of Namibia, located in the Pioneers Park district of Windhoek. Established by an act of National Assembly on 31 August 1992, UNAM includes Colleges of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Economics & Management Science Education, Humanities and...
. He left the University, after one academic year to pursue a career in music.
Rising to Fame
The Dogg used to perform at school concerts in his high school years. When he was in grade nine, he and long time friend Joe Basson, now known as Auntie Sousa, created a kwaito dancing group called Amasilkies. Before pursuing a career in music, he was a backup artist, a dancer and he also opened shows for his famous cousin Killa B and well known friend Jossy Joss. Morocky also opened concerts for well known South African artists such as MzekezekeMzekezeke
Sibusiso Leope , well known as Mzekezeke , or DJ Sbu is a South African kwaito artist....
, Malaika
Malaika (Group)
Malaika is a South African Afro-pop music group, which has been described as post-kwaito, post-mbaqanga and neo-soul, consisting of three young musicians: Bongani Nchanga and the late Jadu Ndaba from the previous band the Stouters and Matshediso Mholo , a former school teacher.Malaika toured...
, Mafikizolo, 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...
, Brown Dash, Brickz and Ishmael amongst others. He rose to fame following the release of his hit single "Jesus Otati", a kwaito-gospel song produced by Elvo in 2003.
"Jesus Otati" (translated; Jesus is sayng), opened doors for The Dogg's career. The song was very popular and earned him comparison to 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,...
star 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...
. This was due to the roughness in his voice which was paired to that of Mandoza. His voice was also compared to American rapper DMX
DMX (rapper)
Earl Simmons , better known by his stage name DMX, is a multiplatinum American rapper and actor who rose to fame in the late 1990s. His stage name pays tribute to the Oberheim DMX drum machine, an instrument he used when he made his own rap beats in the 80's...
, who is also known as The Dog. Many believe that he got his stage name from him. After creating a buzz with "Jesus Otati", The Dogg collaborated with fellow upcoming R&B singer Carl (now Karlos Lokos), on the hit song "Se twaya". The two songs were some of Namibia's biggest hits of 2003. The success of "Jesus Otati" propelled The Dogg to win the award for Artist of the Year and Best Kwaito song at the 2003 Sanlam-NBC Music Awards. He then founded Mshasho Productions
Mshasho Productions
Mshasho Productions, also referred to as, Mshasho Music Productions, and, Mshasho Records is an Namibian 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...
in 2003 which gained popularity in 2004 after his second album.
2004: Shimaliw' Osatana - Take Out Yo Gun
While struggling to compile his album, The Dogg met and befriended upcoming artist GazzaGazza (artist)
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...
who had just returned to Namibia from studies in South Africa. The two started recording together and with the help of Elvo they recorded "Ghetto Life", a song intended to increase Dogg's buzz and introduce Gazza. This song's credits would later bring tension between the two artists. The two artists would later sign solo deals with a new kwaito label RC-Ghetto Records. Upon signing to RC-Ghetto, The Dogg immediately started working on his debut album. He released the critical acclaimed hit "Perfecto Tromentos", the song which would later be hailed as Namibia's kwaito blueprint. The song was well received by fans and is today known as one of Namibia's most original kwaito songs of all time. It took the award for Best Kwaito song and Best Music video at the 2004 Sanlam-NBC Music Awards. Around the same time, The Dogg was featured by Gazza on his hit "Shidolodolo" which went on to be very popular and won an award for Best Collaboration at the 2004 Sanlam-NBC Music Awards.
The Dogg's debut album 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...
, was released in early 2004 by RC-Ghetto. It won the award for Best Selling album at the 2004 Sanlam-NBC Music Awards. The album was Namibia's first full-length kwaito album. The album was primarily produced by Elvo, who by then became The Dogg and Gazza's mentor. The album was well received with hits such as "Oshike Shili Next", "Onayena No: 9" and "Mama". The album's success also helped The Dogg to win the award for Artist of the Year for the second time at the 2004 Sanlam-NBC Music Awards.
The album created a fabulous fan base for The Dogg and caught Swapo politicians attention to put him on the 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...
album were he worked with Elvo, Gazza
Gazza (artist)
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...
and Pablo. This album was sponsored by the Swapo political party to promote the 2004 presidential elections. This was The Dogg's second major album project in 2004, released between his first and second album.
After the Omalaeti O'Swapo project, Dogg devoted his time to finish his second album entitled, Take Out Yo Gun
Take Out Yo Gun
Take Out Yo Gun is the second album by kwaito star The Dogg, released in December 2004. The album has received many positive reviews from critics despite the fact that it was released the same year as Shimaliw' Osatana. Take Out Yo Gun was the first album to be released on The Dogg's own label...
which earned him respect to be hailed as Namibia's top artist. The album was released on his label Mshasho Productions. It was the first album to be released on the label. The album's title was criticised for promoting violence among the youth. The Dogg defended the title claiming that Gun is a wordplay for Mic, referring to those who wish to step up to his level to take out their mics if they can really rap. Despite its criticism, the album received significance sales and topped the local charts while its songs maintained a blasting effect on the radio waves. Songs such as "The Dogg Is Back", "My Life" and "Ngenge Ndasi" were among the most popular hits. "The Dogg Is Back" won awards for Best Kwaito song and Best Video at the 2005 Sanlam-NBC Music Awards. The album's success also pushed Dogg to win the Artist of the Year award for the third time in three years at the 2005 Sanlam-NBC Music Awards. That award send him on a trip to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
to give a of broadcast Namibian music to international audiences.
The Artist of the Year award raised eyebrows by other artist who started discriminating Sanlam-NBC's awarding system. This situation will later bring bad blood between The Dogg and music partner Gazza whom critics claimed was robbed the award.
2005: Mshasho vs GMP - Mshasho and Sunny Boy Taking Over
While studying at University of NamibiaUniversity of Namibia
The University of Namibia is the national university of Namibia, located in the Pioneers Park district of Windhoek. Established by an act of National Assembly on 31 August 1992, UNAM includes Colleges of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Economics & Management Science Education, Humanities and...
The Dogg became a friend of Sunny Boy. Through friendship and association, Sunny Boy created a bond with Gazza. After noticing his talent, Gazza featured Sunny Boy on his hit song "Koko" which appeared on his second album 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...
. While Gazza was associating with the young rapper, The Dogg offered him a contract and signed him to his Mshasho Productions. 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 :...
The Dogg and Gazza got involved in a rooted argument which would later turn sour, prohibiting the two to work together in future. The argument was driven by Sunny Boy's decision to sign with Mshasho which Gazza claimed was a betrayal as he had plans of signing him to his 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....
. After the news hit the media, fans started choosing sides. A lot of other issue started to surface including an argument surrounding the Sanlam-NBC Artist of Year award which was unfairly awarded to The Dogg.
The Dogg started promoting his clothing label, Mshasho Clothing
Mshasho Clothing
Mshasho Clothing is a Namibian clothing brand founded by Martin "The Dogg" Morrocky. The company is 100% owned by Mshasho closed corporation oparating as a its subsidiary...
which would later become very popular. He started working on his third album, originally titled Mshasho Mos! which was set to be released in December 2005 a week before Sunny Boy's debut album. The album was highly pirated
Bootleg recording
A bootleg recording is an audio or video recording of a performance that was not officially released by the artist or under other legal authority. The process of making and distributing such recordings is known as bootlegging...
and caused The Dogg to cancel it. Sunny Boy released "Balance" produced by DJ Kboz which became very popular inviting more fans to the Mshasho camp. Sunny Boy brought along his group Y.B.G. for support as war between GMP and Mshasho was escalating. Another successful single "Serious" with production from The Dogg was released prior to the release of his debut album. In December 2005, Sunny Boy released Young, Black en Gifted
Young, Black en Gifted
Young, Black en Gifted, commonly referred to as Y.B.G., is Sunny Boy's debut album, released in December 2005 after Sunny was signed to Mshasho Records in 2004. Young, Black en Gifted boosted Sunny's commercial popularity, thus making him a common household name among mainstream music fans. The...
on Mshasho Productions. At this point The Dogg has started to produced music and he produced half of Young, Black en Gifted including the hit single "Serious". He also produced the hit song "Best of Both Worlds" for Faizel MC which features appearance by him and Sunny Boy.
2006: Introducing TeeDee
In 2006, The Dogg started recording new songs for a new entitled album Introducing TeeDeeIntroducing TeeDee
Introducing TeeDee is the third studio album by Namibian kwaito musician and producer The Dogg. It was released by Mshasho Productions in May 2006, and was the first to be managed by . The album introduced his alias TeeDee to his fans. This album is a replacing recording for his bootlegged album...
. He also started focusing more on producing his own music. Introducing TeeDee serve as a remix version of Mshasho Mos! and consisted of revised songs which were originally recorded for Mshasho Mos!. The long awaited album was released in May 2006 and was rated as the number one top selling album for seven consecutive months in 2006 by Universal Sound Store. The album topped the Namibian music charts with songs such as "Baby Don't Go", "Like This", "The Dogg Is Here to Stay", "Small Town Girl" and "Inakusha". The Dogg has co-produced the entire album with Jay Malgas. On the album The Dogg also introduced his label's artist (OmPuff
OmPuff (kwaito)
Belmiro Hosi better known by his stage name as OmPuff is an Angolan-Namibian kwaito and hip hop musician who rose to widespread fame in 2005. He is one of the liveliest performers on the Namibian local scene. OmPuff signed to Mshasho Productions in 2006. He nicknamed himself Puffy after childhood...
, Sunny Boy, Tre
Tre Van Die Kasie
Tretius Kauhangengo , better known as Tre Van Die Kasie, most commonly referred to as Tre is a Namibian kwaito musician and rapper. Tre rose to fame after signing with Mshasho Productions in 2005. He is the half brother of fellow kwaito musician, Kavax.-Biography:Tre was born and raised in Omaruru...
and Nasti) who all appeared on the album. The first single "Baby Don't Go" won two awards at the 2006 Sanlam-NBC Music Awards for Best Collaboration and Best Afro-pop. It also won two awards at the 2006 Namibian Music Awards
Namibian Music Awards
The Namibian Music Awards ', also referred to as Namibian Music Awards is a Namibian award show that annually honors established recording artists...
for Best Collaboration and Best single. The Dogg also won the award for Best Hip Hop Song in 2006 at Sanlam-NBC Music Awards. In 2007 it was nominated and won the award for Best New Comer at the Channel-O Spirit of Africa 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...
.
2007: You Can't Ignore
In 2007 The Dogg continue to enjoy success with his music career, he performed in EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
in the beginning of the year and had various tours around Namibia with his Mshasho crew. Despite the success of his last album Introducing TeeDee
Introducing TeeDee
Introducing TeeDee is the third studio album by Namibian kwaito musician and producer The Dogg. It was released by Mshasho Productions in May 2006, and was the first to be managed by . The album introduced his alias TeeDee to his fans. This album is a replacing recording for his bootlegged album...
, he was highly criticized of selling out. He prove critics wrong with the released of You Can't Ignore
You Can't Ignore
You Can't Ignore is the fourth album by The Dogg that was released on 5 October 2007 by Mshasho and . 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...
which was considered a comeback classic and was compared to his first and second album for its hardcore beats and dark lyrics. The album was well received denying Gazza's 2007 double album 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...
airplay at the time of its release. The entire album was self-produced under the mentor guidance of Elvo, with only two songs produced by DJ Kboz.
The first single from the album "Can You Feel It" was produced by DJ Kboz. It features Mshasho artist Tre Van Die Kasie
Tre Van Die Kasie
Tretius Kauhangengo , better known as Tre Van Die Kasie, most commonly referred to as Tre is a Namibian kwaito musician and rapper. Tre rose to fame after signing with Mshasho Productions in 2005. He is the half brother of fellow kwaito musician, Kavax.-Biography:Tre was born and raised in Omaruru...
. The song became a popular hit across Namibia's borders winning an award at the 2008 Channeol O Music Video Awards for the category Best Kwatito Video. It also won Song of the Year and Best Single at the 2007 Sanlam-NBC Music Awards. The album became very successful winning The Dogg his forth award for Artist of the Year at the same ceremony in 2007. The Dogg has won this award four times in five years. Another popular song was "Get Sum More" produced by DJ Kboz and featured most anticipated rapper at the time 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,...
. The song was a very popular club hit. It won an award for Best Collaboration 2008 Namibian Music Awards. Another popular song "My Girl" also won Best Single at the same awards. The success of the album made it possible for The dogg to win the People's Choice Award at the same Awards. The video for "Hands Up" was nominated by Channeol O Music Video Awards in 2009 for the catogory Best Kwaito Video and lost to Gazza's "Passop". The Dogg also approached Gazza on "He He He" and Jericho
Jericho (rapper)
Jericho Jerome Gawanab well known as Jericho and nicknamed J-Twizzle, is a Namibian rapper from Katutura, Windhoek. He's one of the most successful and outstanding MC's in Namibia...
on "Hands Up".
In December 2007, The Dogg served as executive producer for OmPuff's debut album Phone Call
Phone Call (OmPuff)
Phone Call is the debut album by kwaito musician OmPuff, that was released by Mshasho Productions in December 2007. The album was executive produced by The Dogg. It features appearance by Sunny Boy, Tre VDK, Chipo, Richie, and The Dogg. The album is a combination of hardcore kwaito and classical...
. He also apperaed on the album and has offered production for some songs.
2008: Mshasho vs GMP continue
The Dogg spent most of 2008 touring and promoting his 2007 album You Can't Ignore. He served as executive producer and has also produced on Tre Van Die KasieTre Van Die Kasie
Tretius Kauhangengo , better known as Tre Van Die Kasie, most commonly referred to as Tre is a Namibian kwaito musician and rapper. Tre rose to fame after signing with Mshasho Productions in 2005. He is the half brother of fellow kwaito musician, Kavax.-Biography:Tre was born and raised in Omaruru...
's debut album Bible and My Music, God & Me
Bible and My Music, God & Me
Bible and My Music, God & Me is the debut album by Namibian rapper Tre Van Die Kasie. The album features production from The Dogg, Elvo and DJ Kboz. Prior to its release, the album became most anticipated, due to its long time delay. The media praised the album's composition and structure, but...
under Mshasho Records. He continued working with Sunny Boy and produced his Song of the Year award winning song "Heat It Up" which appeared on Sunny Boy's The Sleeping Giant
The Sleeping Giant
The Sleeping Giant is the third studio album by Namibian rapper Sunny Boy. It was released on Sunny's new label Yaziza Entertainment in December 2008. The album features production from Namibia's top producers such as Elvo, The Dogg, Kboz, Morgan, and B-Phill...
. He produced and was featured on a song from Qonja's Mdakadaka
Mdakadaka
Mdakadaka is the second studio album by Namibian musician Qonja. It was released on Lowkey Records in December 2008. The first single The Good Life, became a big come back hit for Qonja prior to the album's release. The album features production from Namibia's biggest producers like Fredro, Elvo,...
album. Later that year he produced and appeared on a popular club song for Tate Buti's album Oteendela. He appeared and produced on two more albums in 2008 including former Mshasho artist Karlos Lokos' Timeless and Kavax's U-Turn.
In August
August
August is the eighth month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian Calendars and one of seven months with a length of 31 days.This month was originally named Sextilis in Latin, because it was the sixth month in the original ten-month Roman calendar under Romulus in 753 BC, when March was the first...
, 2008, Morocky surprised his fans by performing at Gazza
Gazza (artist)
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...
's Still The King
Still 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...
album launch in his home ground 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...
. The two performed their old duet hit "Shidolodolo". The surprised was well received as it was seen as the end of the feud between the two artists and their record labels. South African kwaito legend 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:...
, who made an appearance at the show, supported the idea of the two working together and labeled beef as an western thing. The two artists agreed that Gazza would return the favour by appearing at 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 fulfill his part of the deal. However it was later revealed that the performance was all business, it was an idea to get The Dogg's fans in Oshakati and the north to attend the event in numbers. It later followed that the two did not bury their differences, after a Gazza's critic statement towards The Dogg 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...
show. Morocky responded with insulting words on a radio show labeling Gazza a queen and a fake man. In March 2009, informante newspaper published information surrounding the business deal which revealed that The Dogg appeared at Gazza's show for business. Gazza would also return the favour at his show. According to the newspaper, Gazza and his manager claimed that he was booked to perform somewhere else, and will not be available for The Dogg's show. This situation forced the two in to a physical fight, Gazza would later agree to pay Morocky an amount equivalent to that he help generate at his show.
On 27 September 2008, The Dogg performed at the first eviction show of Big Brother Africa 3
Big Brother Africa 3
Big Brother Africa 3 is the third series of the Big Brother Africa reality television show produced by Endemol. The series began airing on August 24, 2008....
.
2009: This Is My Time
The Dogg's fifth studio album, This Is My TimeThis 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,...
, was released on 3 April 2009 and proved to be another hit for him reaching number one on the charts and selling well in its first week. The first single "Call My Bluff" was released on radio in November 2008. "Call My Bluff" won multiple awards including Best Kwaito, Best Single, Best Video at the 2009 Sanlam-NBC Music Awards. He also received a nomination for Artist of the Year which he lost to E.E.S.. The Dogg produced the entire album himself with guidance from Elvo.
In March 2009, The Dogg was nominated for "African Artist of the Year" by Nigeria's Hip-Hop World Awards. The award ceremony which was secretly held and never revealed who the winner was and denied nominating the rapper. The organizers made a controversial comment about who he was and from which country he was from. When asked about the issue, Dogg said it was funny to nominate a musician you do not know. The Dogg was chosen to be the first celebrity guest in the Big Brother Africa 4
Big Brother Africa 4
Big Brother Africa 4 was the fourth series of the Big Brother Africa reality television series produced by Endemol. The series began airing on September 6, 2009, and aired for 91 days, ending on December 6, 2009 on M-Net. Nigerian television star IK Osakioduwa was the new host for the series...
house. He entered the house on Friday 16 (week 6 of the show) and left on Sunday 18. He also appeared the eviction show where he performed "Forget" with Namibian singer Ricardo.
2010: The Power of Seven - Lets Celebrate
The Dogg released his sixth studio album The Power of 7 – Elevating ElevatorsThe Power of 7 – Elevating Elevators
The Power of 7 – Elevating Elevators is the sixth studio album by The Dogg. It was officially released on 30 April 2010 in Windhoek. The album features artists such as Betholdt, Nasti, OmPuff, K.K. and Biblos among others....
on April 30, 2010. It was the most fast selling album of 2010 and it produced. The album was well received by critics and received mixed media reviews. It was criticized for its poor track listing and the ever repeating solo production of The Dogg which makes the album sound similar to its predecessors. But it was praised by its radio-fair hits such as "Mshasho Army", "Wuzup", "Dream 810", "Mover" and "Jabule" which received two nominations at 2011 Namibian Annual Music Awards
Namibian Annual Music Awards
The Namibian Annual Music Awards, ', exist to recognize accomplishment in the Namibian recording industry by celebrating those groups and individuals who have excelled in the past year...
for Best Song of the Year and Best Music Video. The first single "Take You Home Tonight" which features singer Betholdt is the most popular song on the album. The Dogg has collaborated with South African kwaito musician Biblos, and Qonja, KK, Tre Van Die Kasie, OmPuff and Nasti of Namibia.
In October 2010 The Dogg signed rapper/producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
Kanibal
Kanibal
Shilongo Ashipala well known as Kanibal is a Namibian rapper and producer. He's one of the most outstanding Namibian rappers. He's considered a pioneer of the Namibian hip hop genre...
to Mshasho Records. In November of that year he announced that he was busy working on an album with rapper 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,...
. The two rappers collaborated on a short album titled Lets Celebrate
Lets Celebrate
Lets Celebrate, also known as The Christmas Album, is a collaboration album by Namibian musicians The Dogg and Qonja. The album was launched at the Playhouse Theatre in Windhoek on December 16, 2010. The album was released to celebrate Christmas during the vestive season...
which was released on 16 December 2010 under Mshasho Records. The album was produced by The Dogg and his mentor Elvo. It features the hits "Let's Celebrate" with TeQuila, "Be My Shepherd" with KK and Lil' D, and "Merry Christmas".
2011: The Deception and The Deception 2
Mshasho released The Dogg's 7th studio album The Deception on July 2. The album was entirely produced by The Dogg and features big name artists. It features South African kwaito star Brickz on the song "Tromentos" and ZambianZambia
Zambia , officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west....
singer JK on the song "End of Time", both songs feature Sunny Boy. Mshasho artist OmPuff
OmPuff (kwaito)
Belmiro Hosi better known by his stage name as OmPuff is an Angolan-Namibian kwaito and hip hop musician who rose to widespread fame in 2005. He is one of the liveliest performers on the Namibian local scene. OmPuff signed to Mshasho Productions in 2006. He nicknamed himself Puffy after childhood...
also appeared on "End of Time". Other guests on the album includes 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,...
who has previously collaborated with The Dogg on a full album, Tate Buti, PDK, Exit, KK, rap star Catty Catt and Mshasho signed kwaito group Fresh Family.
The Dogg announced via his Facebook fan page that The Deception will shortly be followed by part two album. He also announced the title of the upcoming album although not stated when it will be released. "MY NEW SINGLE FROM DDECEPTION PART 2 WILL MUTE AFRICA ....PAKAMISH"
Producer role
also see The Dogg production discographyBesides being a musician The Dogg is also an active music producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
. He has produced hits for several famous Namibian artist
Music of Namibia
The music of Namibia has a number of folk styles, as well as pop, rock, reggae, jazz, house and hip hop. The Sanlam-NBC Music Awards and the Namibian Music Awards are two separate institutions that give out annual awards at shows on December 2 and May 6 respectively...
. The Dogg started producing music in 2005 under the guidance of his mentor Elvo. He has so far share production credit with, Elvo, DJ Kboz and Christian Poloni. He has produced and served as executive producer
Executive producer
An executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production...
on all albums released under Mshasho Records. Apart from that he has produced hits for non-Mshasho artist including Sunny Boy, 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,...
, Kamasutra, Faizel MC and Kavax. The Dogg served as the main producer on all of his solo albums since the 2006 release Introducing TeeDee
Introducing TeeDee
Introducing TeeDee is the third studio album by Namibian kwaito musician and producer The Dogg. It was released by Mshasho Productions in May 2006, and was the first to be managed by . The album introduced his alias TeeDee to his fans. This album is a replacing recording for his bootlegged album...
.
I've tried a few different things, like mixing some house and rave beats with traditional kwaito beats. I'm working on establishing my own unique blend of music says The Dogg in an interview with MTC.Com, October 2007. Through his production career The Dogg has collaborated with Elvo and DJ Kboz, the only two producers who have shared production credit with The Dogg.
Business ventures
also see Mshasho ProductionsMshasho Productions
Mshasho Productions, also referred to as, Mshasho Music Productions, and, Mshasho Records is an Namibian 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...
and Mshasho Clothing
Mshasho Clothing
Mshasho Clothing is a Namibian clothing brand founded by Martin "The Dogg" Morrocky. The company is 100% owned by Mshasho closed corporation oparating as a its subsidiary...
Apart from being a musician Morrocky has establish himself as a minor entrepreneur. Morrocky is the sole owner of Mshasho closed cooperation which intern owns Mshasho Productions, Mshasho Clothing, Mshasho Events, Mshasho Film Inc., Mshasho Still Water and various other minor business entities.
Windhoek
Windhoek is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Namibia. It is located in central Namibia in the Khomas Highland plateau area, at around above sea level. The 2001 census determined Windhoek's population was 233,529...
, Namibia
Namibia
Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia , is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March...
. The company had interest in starting his own water bottling company. In 2011, the company will enter the film industry
Film industry
The film industry consists of the technological and commercial institutions of filmmaking: i.e. film production companies, film studios, cinematography, film production, screenwriting, pre-production, post production, film festivals, distribution; and actors, film directors and other film crew...
through its new venture Mshasho Film Inc.
Acting career
The Dogg is set to star in a movie titled, The Inheritance. The movie is expected somewhere in 2011 and it will co-star famous local actors. The Dogg also claimed that he will be directing the movie. The movie will be released under Mshasho Film Inc..Solo albums
- Shimaliw' OsatanaShimaliw' OsatanaShimaliw' 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...
- (2004), RC Ghetto - Take Out Yo GunTake Out Yo GunTake Out Yo Gun is the second album by kwaito star The Dogg, released in December 2004. The album has received many positive reviews from critics despite the fact that it was released the same year as Shimaliw' Osatana. Take Out Yo Gun was the first album to be released on The Dogg's own label...
- (2004), Mshasho - Introducing TeeDeeIntroducing TeeDeeIntroducing TeeDee is the third studio album by Namibian kwaito musician and producer The Dogg. It was released by Mshasho Productions in May 2006, and was the first to be managed by . The album introduced his alias TeeDee to his fans. This album is a replacing recording for his bootlegged album...
- (2006), Mshasho/KOOL Production - You Can't IgnoreYou Can't IgnoreYou Can't Ignore is the fourth album by The Dogg that was released on 5 October 2007 by Mshasho and . 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...
- (2007), Mshasho/KOOL Production - This Is My TimeThis 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,...
- (2009), Mshasho - The Power of 7 - Elevating Elevators - (2010), Mshasho
- The Deception - (2011), Mshasho
Other albums
- 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 GazzaGazza (artist)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...
, Elvo and Pablo) - (2004), Omalaeti Music - Lets CelebrateLets CelebrateLets Celebrate, also known as The Christmas Album, is a collaboration album by Namibian musicians The Dogg and Qonja. The album was launched at the Playhouse Theatre in Windhoek on December 16, 2010. The album was released to celebrate Christmas during the vestive season...
, (with QonjaQonjaTukonjela 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,...
) - (2010), Mshasho
Alias
- The Kwaito Master: The name was taken from his song "Perfecto Tromentos" were he repeatedly raps; Im gonna be the kwaito master, the kwaito master. The Kwaito Master became a title which Dogg adopted to describe his superiority in the Namibian kwaito genre between 2003 and 2005. He was not of the opinion to call himself The Kwaito King because he felt it will be a disrespect to the originators and pioneers of kwaito.
- Mr. Skeleton: Because of his slim and skinny body.
- TeeDee: The initials to his stage name derived from The Dogg.
- Doglum: He was given the name by GazzaGazza (artist)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...
as a twofold to his Gazlum alias.
Trivia
- With the release of Shimaliw' OsatanaShimaliw' OsatanaShimaliw' 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...
in 2004, The Dogg became the first Namibian artist to release an all kwaitoKwaitoKwaito 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,...
material album . - The Dogg has won the award for artist of the year for three consecutive years (2003, 2004 and 2005) at the Sanlam-NBC Music Awards and claim it back in 2007.
- In 2004, The Dogg participated in the recording of the Swapo party campaign album 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...
together with GazzaGazza (artist)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...
, Elvo and Pablo. - He has opened concerts for well known South African artists such as MzekezekeMzekezekeSibusiso Leope , well known as Mzekezeke , or DJ Sbu is a South African kwaito artist....
, MalaikaMalaika (Group)Malaika is a South African Afro-pop music group, which has been described as post-kwaito, post-mbaqanga and neo-soul, consisting of three young musicians: Bongani Nchanga and the late Jadu Ndaba from the previous band the Stouters and Matshediso Mholo , a former school teacher.Malaika toured...
, Mafikizolo, MandozaMandozaMduduzi 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...
, Brown Dash, Brickz and Ishmael. - The Dogg has mention in many of his interviews that he was inspired by American slain rapperRappingRapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
Tupac ShakurTupac ShakurTupac 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...
, South African kwaitoKwaitoKwaito 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,...
artist MandozaMandozaMduduzi 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...
, ZolaZola (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:...
, M'duM'du MasilelaM'du Masilela aka 'The Godfather', aka ' Chomi Yabana' is a living legend in the music industry in South Africa. He is popularly known for the Kwaito music genre. Born in Zola South in 1970, M'du began his music aspirations on his grandmother's piano. As a young man in school, M'du created several...
, ArthurArthur MafokateArthur Mafokate is a South African kwaito musician and producer. He is considered to be one of the pioneers of the Kwaito music genre.- Early life :...
, Brown Dash, KebeloKabelo MabalaneKabelo Mabalane known by his stage name as Kabelo or Bouga Luv is a South African kwaito musician, songwriter and actor. He was a member of the kwaito trio TKZee...
and super group TKZeeTKZeeTKZee 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....
. He also mention some of their names on the song "Ondahala Okushiva" from his album You Can't IgnoreYou Can't IgnoreYou Can't Ignore is the fourth album by The Dogg that was released on 5 October 2007 by Mshasho and . 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...
. In the song he raps: I remember TKZee, Mandoza, no-M’du/ Tupac Shakur/ this guys was just very cool/ after that ondafiyapo oskola/.... - The Dogg's role models are Tupac ShakurTupac ShakurTupac 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...
, former South African president Nelson MandelaNelson MandelaNelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...
, and former Namibian president Sam NujomaSam NujomaSamuel 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 Dogg is appointed as youth representative to spread the message about the thread of HIV/AIDS in NamibiaNamibiaNamibia, officially the Republic of Namibia , is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March...
- In May 2007, The Dogg scored the first issue of the Shambuka magazine cover page.
- In September 2008, The Dogg became the first Namibian musician to perform live at the Big Brother AfricaBig Brother AfricaBig Brother Africa is a television program produced by Endemol. The show initially involved 12 countries within Africa with two countries being added in season 4...
show. - In 2009, The Dogg became the first Namibian celebrity guest to enter the Big Brother AfricaBig Brother AfricaBig Brother Africa is a television program produced by Endemol. The show initially involved 12 countries within Africa with two countries being added in season 4...
house.
External links
- Mshasho Official website
- The Dogg interview with nammusic.com
- Namibian hip hop Official website
- The Dogg interview with shambuka magazine, May 2007 shambukamag.com
- Home of Namibian stars