Shotgun, real name Tulonga Fillemon, has been part of the Namibian music industry for years. Starting off his career in 2004 as a part of the Oluwano Music Organisation, he has since gone solo and released three albums, including the latest titled ‘Harambee’.
He has also been recruited to be one of the ambassadors of a circumcision campaign launched by the government alongside The Dogg. However, he has gone quiet for some time, and the artist elaborated on why. “I actually opened my own studio and my new single ‘Champion’ is one of the first products produced there,” he told The Weekender.
And he may not be taking on new artists at the moment, but he hopes to mentor young artists who are interested in recording at the studio. Because he knows the struggle of creating a hit song, he wants to make the prices negotiable.
“It was a lot of money and investment and seeing what was right for me. You have to start investing in others. And the problem is that a lot of Namibians don’t want to invest in music.
People only want to take expensive girls to restaurants, but when the money is gone, no one is following you,” Shotgun said.
The advice he had for upcoming artists was to understand the business aspect of music and not only focus on the fame.
“Artists should see where they want to invest and where to get money from. People aren’t really buying CDs any more. Only 50 to 60% of people are investing in it, when it used to be about 90 to 100%.”
Elaborating more on new artists, Shotgun felt that music wasn’t really made for just music any more. “Since the Namibian Annual Music Awards (NAMAs), artists are just producing CDs to enter it.
But in the music business, people can get awards with a single too. The NAMAs should educate artists that if they come up with a hit, it’s worth it.”
Shotgun hopes that more artists will spend time on one song and perfect it. “Promote the song so that people know you for it.
We need to engage with business people. Aim to be the face of something.
You have to push, promote and do your best.”
His new track ‘Champion’ is about
never quitting. From boxers or athletes to those who just need that motivation at the gym, Shotgun said being a champion was about never giving up. “Don’t listen to the negative comments, but listen to the ones who help build you. I’m trying to tell Namibians that they have to carry the flag and represent the country.”
Stating that he has “graduated in music” in comparison to his previous worka, Shotgun only aims to work with the best in the industry and continue to inspire and grow.
Shotgun said that more people should invest in local talent and, well… Circumcise.
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