22 Dec 2014

Artistes are gasping for their last breathe, sweating inside studios working against the clock to release singles that will mesmerise night crawlers as they go out to celebrate Christmas and welcome the New Year.


While the nation was commemorating World AIDS Day on December 1, the Kasane born ragga artiste, Sankwasa Ndereki who is known by stage name Sandy was on one hand putting finishing touches to his single dubbed  Shake matako. 


The 24-year-old artiste is expected to release a full ragga album in April 2015 called Tuyende Tuvonse a Sesubiya name which literally translates to “let us go together”.

He sings in Sesubiya because he wants to praise his language, preserve cultural norms and values and even act as an ambassador for the Basubiya tribe.


The youthful artiste has revealed to BOPA in an interview that the released single shake matako is a hit song that will help market his music and the expected album. “The single will help boost my music and establish a reputable market,” he added.

He further noted that he chose to release a hit from the album as it will work wonders for music lovers in the festive season and ultimately promote his music. 


He said the single can be downloaded from the Internet. Sandy said loading his music on the Internet also helps in fighting piracy. Most excelling artistes use the Internet and other social media to reach out to their fans with ease and market their music.


Sandy is not a new-comer to the local music industry having released his first album named siye ku lyria in 2001.

 He said the maiden music project was well received in the market more especially in the Chobe area and also received well deserved air play in some of the local radio stations. 


“I am hopeful that my current project will make it in the already congested and competitive local music industry,” he added.

Currently Sandy is planning to tour the Chobe area to promote his music during the festive season and even go to neighbouring countries like Zambia and Namibia where his music is also in demand. 


Sandy, who is an intern at the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs started his music career in 2008 while a student at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology where he graduated with a B.Sc (hons) in Software Engineering and Multimedia.

“I started writing and producing songs, creating beats and recording at home with my friends. My love for ragga music genre was inspired by ragga artistes among them Jose Camillion, Radio and Wesel from Uganda,” he said.
 In his young and still growing music career, Sandy worked closely with Shanky Briz.

“But our maiden work was never released as it was only meant to test our strength in the market.  I have moved from one production studio to the next in search of a well-established team with quality equipment to produce what I desired for and finally settled with Bullet Music Production where I produced my first album,” he said. 


Sandy further noted that there are challenges that hinder most artistes to excel in their music careers among them financial constraints.

Another challenge is that of shortage of music promoters. The young artiste also said another challenge was the limited time given to hold festivals at night.

He said at community and other social activities somehow works for him.
 Sandy believes that he can survive through music.

He said for one to earn a living through music, that needs a lot of commitment and energy. ENDS