Pinehas NakazikoAn Otjiwarongo hip-hop and rap singer well known as Episode 9 has started a new record label, Red Empire Gang, to give opportunities to upcoming and vulnerable singers to record their songs for free.
The label has signed upcoming singers such as Young Blizz22, Swift Kid, July 6, Roman Kit, Clouds, Don and Ectic, to mention a few. It also has an in-house producer, Teerax.
Episode 9 says he decided to start a record label to help talented singers struggling with finances make their dreams come true by recording their songs for free.
“The music industry is all about connection, and we have those young singers that are talented but do not have connections or funds to make their music, that is why I decided to come up with this label just to uplift the music industry,” says Episode 9.
He adds that the label looks to all artists in towns close to Otjiwarongo or those who can afford to travel to the town. Soon, he hopes to sign more young singers.
“I have been making music for a very long time, and it was hard making music with no family support or financial support,” explains Episode 9.
Episode 9 has also released his new single titled ‘Gone’, complemented by a music video.
“’Gone’ is a song that touches me a lot because I recorded it because I lost my big brother, Desmond Kapitang, in 2016. It broke my heart, and the only way to express my feelings was to write a song for him,” says Episode 9.
The song feature Young Blizz22, the first artist to sign to the record label. The music video was shot and directed by videographer Andimba Mika and was shot at a cemetery at Otjiwarongo.
The single is a foretaste of what to expect on his upcoming album, titled ‘Rise Above Hate’. “I went through a lot when I first joined the music industry. Some of my friends turned their backs on me when I needed them the most, hence I titled the upcoming album ‘Rise Above Hate’,” says Episode 9.
The album will contain 23 songs. On the album, he worked with Swift Kid, Two Brothers, Shawn Prince, July 6, Teerax, DJ Spice, Clouds and DJ Labio Da Prodigy, with most of these artists signed under his label.
Some of the genres on the upcoming album are hip-hop, rap, R&B, Afro-pop, house and amapiano.
Songs to be part of the album are ‘Ain’t Loyal’, featuring Young Blizz22 and Focus OBIR, ‘Spaza Net’, featuring C Jay and Chyllest, and ‘The Way You Move’, featuring Young Blizz22. The album’s release is planned for 16 April.
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