Chuckeey spreads love and hope through dancehall
By Rosalia David
NOT all artists find it easy to pursue a music career in a setting dominated by categories, such as kwaito and House tunes in Namibia, if the struggles of dancehall performer Dwardue Lorence (also known as Chuckeey) are anything to go by.
The up and coming musician runs his own show as an independent artist and has just released a two-track EP titled People Might Make Mistakes.
Although many Namibian dancehall artists came, saw and conquered via their unique blends of hip-hop fused dancehall vibes with a touch of RnB in the past and vanished without a trace from the music scene for various reasons, Chuckeey is determine to prove otherwise.
“I know that many dancehall artists don’t exist anymore because only a handful of Namibians listen to dancehall. The support is also not the same compared to how people listen to other genres. My plan is to bring back that lost love and support again,” he said.
The two new songs are called Omaudjuu and Hasho Ndahala and he describes the songs as inspirational and heart touching. Hasho Ndahala speaks about the struggles people in society go through.
“For example, we judge people eating from the dustbins but I believe that’s not what they wanted. No one asked to be poor but unfortunately find themselves doing the odds for money or just to get a meal of the day,” he explained.
According to the soft spoken dancehall crooner, his songs were well received by those who love the genre and he looks forward to his upcoming album, although the release date remains unknown. He went on to say he has knocked on many doors to promote his music business but the doors of many media houses remained shut.
“Sometimes when people don’t know you, they don’t even bother listening to your music. They take your CD and never try listening to it, or just give a person the benefit of the doubt. The same with event organisers, just because you’re not known by many they make you perform for free…”
Although he has decided to put his vocal chords to better use releasing singles, he promised to stay relevant, consistent and to deliver music that is appealing to music lovers and conducive to the Namibian airwaves, and not just to disappear without a trace – as so many have done.