Call me preacher, says Slammer

TURNING away from a musical path, Jeffrey Haoseb – better known as Slammer, has embarked on a surprising new direction.

The rapper has stepped away from the spotlight to pursue a surprisingly new line of employment preaching the gospel.

Haoseb’s last musical project was released in 2019, the same year he says he grew closer to God. Since then his musical career has had to take a backseat as he focused on finding himself.

“Slammer has died. I am not an artist anymore. People must please call me preacher Jeffrey Haoseb,” he says.

“Not releasing any new music over the years has allowed me to look at life from a different perspective. I was able to see what I can achieve besides music. I have seen how I can grow as a man.

“I was able to grow, think and have time for myself. I had time for things that are important to me and I have now found myself again,” he says.

During his time in the music industry, time for himself was something rare, he says.

“My life with music came with a lot of people. The public, fans and media, all wanted me to be someone I was not. They have a certain image that an artist must portray and I followed that for many years. I had to work on improving my rapper image, which made it very challenging to find the real me. Many people always had something to say about me. When you are in the limelight you forget who you really are,” he says.

All this made Haoseb determined not to release any new music again.

“I had a great time as an artist. Over the years I worked with talented people. I am glad I was able to help the industry grow, especially hip-hop but now I am ready to build a new audience, those willing to listen,” he says.

Venturing down the path of ministry has allowed him to discover his true self and it has bettered his life, he says.

“I know myself a lot better now. I ‘ve learned things about myself that I never knew before. I now feel that I have more control over my life.

“As an artist, I did not have my own say as everything I did involved the public,” he says.

Maturing as a man made him realise that he truly wants something different in life.

“My dreams have changed and my ideas for my life are different now.”

Through preaching, Haoseb says he is able to do much more than he could as a musician.

“God has placed me where I can positively impact people’s lives rather than just entertaining them with my songs. I am here to preach the message of hope.

“I believe I have to be part of God’s mission, because it is bigger. I now have a lot more to share with all the Slammer fans. I want everyone to be as excited about this as I am,” he says.

Haoseb’s love life also took an upturn earlier this month when he got engaged to fashionista and nail technician Cindy Khemer (21).

“I prayed for her and she has come into my life just at the right time,” he says.

Haoseb also plans to introduce his Christian podcast soon, with the aim to teach the public more about the Bible.