Ou Stakes: From Clashing with the Law to ‘King of Ma /Gaisa’

Swakopmund’s Ou Stakes has not only cemented his place as a leading force in ma /gaisa music, but has also proven to be a resilient artist, entrepreneur and mentor.

Stanley Hamaseb survived constantly clashing with the law to become the “undisputed king of ma /gaisa music”, according to his fans.

The crown was officially presented to the late Phura Duwe at the NamPower Convention Hall almost a decade ago, but Ou Stakes has carried the mantle Phura left with pride and dignity.

In fact, with two best ma /gaisa artist of the year awards and four best ma /gaisa song of the year awards behind his name and still going strong, there is no denial that the ‘Bobo’ hitmaker is the rightful heir to the crown left by his best friend.

“Phura and I were not just best friends. We grew up like two brothers. We even shared my bed at my mother’s house at Swakopmund when he moved from Khorixas. We ate from the same plate and we also drank water and tea from the same cup,” Ou Stakes says.

“When I was down, he would always tell me I was the one riding the horse as a reminder that I should be in charge of my own destiny.”

HITMAKER

Ou Stakes dropped his debut album, ‘Ta Di Ti /Namsaro’, under Welwitschia Music Productions in 2007.

The album turned out to be a massive hit among ma /gaisa fans, and hits like ‘Ae Ti /Namsaro’, ‘Bobo’, ‘Chesta’ and ‘Ti Tsabitmas’ became street anthems, securing unexpected stardom for the young man from Mondesa.

“I will forever be grateful to producer Steven Alvin !Naruseb for creating such a fantastic album. It was my first studio album, but it received wonderful reviews from both the music writers and the public, who are the best judges of music,” he says.

“It was a wonderful feeling to hear my songs on radio, television, taxis and from the houses at Mondesa, Katutura and Khorixas when I was walking past. Unexpectedly, ‘Bobo’ was also a big hit with the bus drivers to Ovamboland. I had a big breakthrough with my first album.”

He describes !Naruseb as an excellent producer.

INFLUENCES

Ou Stakes, who grew up at Mondesa, Swakopmund, jiving to the beats of Chiclettes, Friends, M-Connection and MOG, was also intrigued by the musical prowess of Okahandja-based band Ama-Afrika, who later became Heroes, while he was an ardent fan of the late Windhoeker Nic Mokomela as well.

“It was inevitable that I also started becoming interested in music. So much that I started our own band with my friend Phura, which we named Midnight Stars, with me as the lead singer while Phura played the keyboard and provided the backing vocals,” he says.

RUN-IN WITH THE LAW

“We mostly did covers of South African bands like Stimela, Lazarus Kgagu and Nono, and we were popular around the coastal towns. Unfortunately, I had a run-in with the law and I received a fine of N$2 500 or would face 12 months in prison, which Steven [!Naruseb] paid for me.”

Ou Stakes says this was the turning point of his musical career, because !Naruseb urged him to stay out of trouble and to take music seriously, because he saw a lot of potential in him as a singer.

Ou Stakes was also an outstanding goalkeeper and a speedy and skilful striker in his younger days.

“The people who saw me growing up at Mondesa will tell you I was a goalkeeper in the Coastal First Division for United Stars, as well as for Flying Eagles and Namibian Black Beauty,” he says.

“Afterwards Phura and I started our own team we called Coastal Chiefs. This was more of an informal team and we mostly participated in stake games around Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and Arandis. I was alternating between goalie and striker and Phura played left-back.”

The ma /gaisa star also got a taste of Europe when he, together with Patricia Ochurus and Tate Buti, were invited by NamWater to perform at the Water Festival in Zaragoza, Spain.

The popular singer received another opportunity to perform beyond Namibia’s borders when he took ma /gaisa music to the Botswana Cultural Festival.

INVESTING IN HOME STUDIO

Ou Stakes opened Seaside Music Production three years ago.

“I have since realised that music is a very short career and it is only profitable if your music appeals to the public. One has to be prepared for the day when you are not able to sell your music any more. I have decided to invest in a home studio,” he says.

“I have two brothers who are excellent producers and they are really doing wonders in the studio. I am also providing a home for struggling and upcoming artists,” he says.

Ten of the tracks on his most recent 15-track album, ‘Ta Di Tsa’, which is currently enjoying great public interest, were recorded in his studio in 2022, with five of the tracks recorded at Patrick ‘P-Flat’ Thaniseb’s Desert Tunes Studio at Walvis Bay.

The hit song ‘//Khoaxase /Gui Ha’ (‘Suguri #Hoe’) is currently burning the airwaves, while the title track ‘Ta Di Sa’ is also taking off.

“Besides the home studio, I have also entered the leather shoemaking industry. I have roped in two young men from Rehoboth who are masters of their craft. They are capable of seaming 50 to 80 shoes together without the soles per week.”

They also make customised shoes for special occasions like birthdays and weddings, he says.

Ou Stakes has a stall at a supermarket, where he sells his products.

He says he is currently applying the final touches to his 13th studio album.

His advice to young artists is the following: “If you are not disciplined, you won’t succeed. The road to success is short, but has a lot of turns and potholes. You have to navigate your career with care.”