Namibian rapper, producer and music director Stanzo says he took a break from music but is now ready to spoil his fans once again with a six-track drill EP coming out on 10 May, as well as a tour through South Africa to officially mark his comeback.
The project will be called ‘Summer’s Not Over’ and will be released on 10 May to all major streaming platforms.
“It was just an experimental type of EP. Just rapping, trying to prove to myself that I still can, because I took a break for a while from making music in general when I was out the country,” he says of the album, which he adds was a bit of a challenge to finish.
“But it’s been done last year. I’ve just been mastering it and editing with a few touches.”
If it is anything like what he has released in the past, it is sure to be lyrically dense and exceptionally well produced. Stanzo is one who pays attention to the tiniest details and delivers visual content that is well thought out and executed.
He says he has been quite busy with several projects, including a remix of his song ‘Skyf’, which various Namibian artists have lent their talents to. He also worked as a producer on DJ Tumi Mohamed’s debut project, coming out this month.
On top of that, he begins his South African tour today, starting at Drama Lounge in Cape Town. On Saturday, he will take to two stages in Johannesburg, at Varsity Fest and Playboynation.
This will be a busy few months for the 27-year-old artist, who will be releasing several music videos and other content. He’s also excited about sharing his talent for design through the release of a streetwear brand.
“I draw and I do art as well, so I’ve been spending a lot of time on that besides just making music,” he says of venturing into other creative pursuits.
Of the work he has put out so far this year, one need look no further than the videos he has released since returning to music. ‘Couple Thou’, featuring Lvmu, is one of those tracks that is unmistakably hardcore hip-hop. This is something that fans of rap will gravitate to as it is synonymous with what we have come to know the artist for – beats and bars.
The rapper has had a long career and has been instrumental in keeping both the underground and mainstream hip-hop culture alive in Namibia. No easy feat, particularly when one considers how it is often an underappreciated genre.
His music enjoys hundreds of thousands of streams online and he is a mainstay for many events. He has also collaborated with several notable artists in the music industry, including Da L.E.S and Nadia Nakai, alongside performances with other artists.
Stanzo’s career is marked by his versatility and commitment to quality – characteristics that make him a significant figure in the evolving landscape of Namibian music.
He plans to continue bridging the gap between Namibia and South Africa, where his roots lie. This as he enjoys the distinction of being one of the few local artists to be booked consistently across the border.
He says he plans to submit his music videos to major music channels and bring his ‘Summer’s Over’ tour to Namibia in June.
Follow Stanzo on his journey and look out for his new sounds in the coming weeks.
- Anne Hambuda is a poet, writer and social commentator. Follow her online or email her annehambuda@gmail.com for more.
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