DJ Castro launches debut album

Born in Windhoek and raised at Otjiwarongo, Uakengeza Ngoinue aka DJ Castro released his debut album ‘Evolution’ over the weekend.

The album was launched at Swakopmund on Friday, at Okakarara on Saturday and at Otjiwarongo on Sunday.

DJ Castro felt it was important to take his music to his fans, and added that it was also a good way to make money. “I went to areas where I knew a good crowd would be. In Swakopmund, the Namibian Annual Music Awards (NAMAs) was held and in Okakarara, a trade fair was taking place. As artists we need to start thinking smart. For me to try and get the amount of money back that I have invested into the album is key,” he said.

Some of the songs that are already trending off the album are ‘Hy Willi Hoori’ featuring Agogo and ‘Shining Star’ featuring Slickartie.

“’Hy Willi Hoori’ is a statement that I have been hearing almost everywhere I went so I decided on the song. ‘Shining Star’ is a love song,” DJ Castro said.

The artist’s manager Fernando Carlos said the album is very different from what DJ Castro normally does. The DJ is usually known for house music, but this time around went out of his comfort zone.

“On the album, he also did Afro-pop, kwaito and soulful house music. At first we were really scared to try it, because we thought that people might not like it. We are pleased that we decided to take the risk. Many people who listened the album thus far are impressed,” said Carlos.

DJ Castro said it took about three years to release the album. He refers to those years as challenging. “I have been through so much. Also during these years I have learnt a lot about the music industry that has made me wiser. At first my material was stolen and I also struggled to get enough funds together. I have learnt not to trust anyone and also not to allow anyone to listen to my work. This is how my work went missing. It was stolen. I will never ever tell someone where my work is and I will always keep back-ups,” he said.

The album features artists such as Sunny Boy, Lioness, Sally, Jermain Casper and Etjo.

DJ Castro said he decided to work with these artists because he knew that many people would be interested in listening to them. “Lioness, who’s a rap artist, is doing a kwaito song and Slickartie who’s an Afro-jazz artist is on a house track. This is the kind of excitement listeners are looking forward to hearing. This is what makes my music different,” he said.

Speaking about his future in the industry, the DJ said he is already working on a new EP, and this time around he will feature international artists. “The songs are already there. I just decided not to have them on my debut album. I wanted my first album to be 100% Namibian. I wanted to show others that we as Namibians can do it together.”

– @rineldamouton on social media