NAMAs Top Five

If you’re freezing your nipples off in an abandoned textile factory, chances are you want to see some fire. You want performances that get your heart rate pumping, your toes tapping and your butt up and out of your seat propelled by sheer excitement or the need to see the stage over a crowd that has already stood up in awe.

That’s entertainment. And while the Namibian Annual Music Awards main show wasn’t short on it, there were certainly performers who stood out in the parade of rap, hip hop and kwaito performances that were saved by the bass but didn’t do much more than walk from one end of the stage to the other. Wearing sunglasses.

In terms of creativity and presence, here are my top five :

Taking the stage with a gang of ninjas and looking right out of a rice paddy, Gazza’s was the confounding performance of the night. While we looked for logic in Kwaito China and found little, Gazza has the rare ability to completely own the stage, beguile the audience and blow our questions right out the window. Energetic, enigmatic and banking on visual effects’ often ability to defy explanation, Gazza did his thing and added even more spice to his bubbling pot of rice with a cameo from Maria Nepembe who seemed to sing a little, look gorgeous a lot and completely charm the crowd.

Throwbacks, throwbacks and more throwbacks! Taking us right back in time and getting us to saka to the beat was the glorious Gal Level who set Twitter alight with calls for a once and forever reunion. Perhaps a little more static than we like and with the tiniest whiff of tension between the two titans, Gal Level killed it coasting on sheer nostalgia and rampant fangirling.

If you’ve got it, flaunt it. Hundred dollars says Freeda has this on a magnet on her fridge. Bursting onto the stage with a troupe of back up dancers all channeling Rio Carnival meets MK Swimwear, Freeda was a sight for thirsty eyes as she flicked her hair, shook that thing and effortlessly inspired body goals. Colourful, fun and confident as hell, Freeda’s performance though derivative was dazzling.

Fast paced inaudible lyrics, one guy walking around on stage? Rap songs live are a hard sell but KP Illest did this so right. Pairing up with Monique English and making his way from the back of the room to meet up with her amazing vocals on stage, KP Illest’s synthesis of rap and reworked anti folk music was raw and refreshing.

He’s a big guy with a big presence and he’s ever a joy to watch. Relying heavily on his deep, earthy vocals with some help from gyrating backup dancers, Big Ben’s performance was melodic, confident and classy. An excellent prelude to his Male Artist of the Year win.

My personal favourites in a show full of entertaining interludes, these are the people who I felt brought a little something extra either through concept or confidence in themselves without too many bells and whistles. A special shout out to Lady May whose mode is always slay, Suzy Eises’ sophisticated simplicity and to Dama Monique who surprised us all with Industry Evening dance moves and kasi flavour, the NAMAs were certainly a happening hive of live performance.

And while I eagerly await what everyone will have in store next year, I’ll take this opportunity to offer a suggestion. A new award.

NAMAs Performance of the Year.

A week to vote after the ceremony.

And essentially a year to come up with a concept that will blow all the competition right out of the water and make for the most dynamic and creative live broadcast this country has ever seen.

On your mark, get set hellip; go.