There are three really great things about Namibia. One of those things is that dancing is highly encouraged. You don't need to be around friends or on the dance floor to bust out your moves. The second is that the music in Namibia is great, and it will make you want to dance. More than that, the lyrics are usually very uplifting and positive-definitely makes me view popular American song lyrics a lot differently after being exposed to so much positivity for so long. And finally, dare I say, there's not too many songs that you need to know in order to be musically proficient. Whether you're in a taxi, guest house, club, or parking lot, the odds of you hearing the same set of songs is extremely high.
Making this list was very difficult to create, because choosing which 5 songs you need to hear and excluding the rest was a difficult task. Here are the requirements for making it onto my list:
It had to be a song that I knew without a doubt was extremely popular, based on how many different people I saw singing along to every word to the song.
It had to accurately reflect Namibian culture. Meaning, even though Tupac and Biggie are played at the bars, those artists don't accurately showcase African life.
It has to be a positive, uplifting song (minus the final song!). I know this blog reaches many readers from many different walks of life, and I don't want to force you to listen to a song that you will find insulting. More than that, true music played in Namibia is by default very positive, so I wasn't interested in including anything that was negative or vulgar because it simply doesn't reflect the vibe you will find around the country.
And yes, I mean it when I say you will hear any of these songs no matter where you are!
Enjoy!
Who's Your Guy by Spryro
2. Try Again by Yo Maps
Yo Maps has a lot of songs, but keeping in mind the requirements I have for this list, I think this is the best song to choose.
3. Musiga Ogo by Dally Joe
This song isn't nearly as popular as the other two, and it won't be played at the bars, but I'm still always shocked at how everyone seems to know every word to it. When I was driving home from Windhoek with my taxi driver, who appropriately calls me, "MY MADAME DEEJAAAYY," I played him this song and he knew every word and could (obviously) dance to it.
When I say I have danced my heart out to this song...
The title translates to "Leave him" and the lyrics roughly translate into something like, "Let that man continue to talk trash, leave him and keep doing you, boo."
4. Yange Yiwaawa by Future Heaven Choir
Do you know how many times I've woken up to this song in my head, hopped in the car to drive to work, and then my colleague starts to play this song? There is so much love for this song in my community, especially because it is local. The title translates to "What's Mine is All Fine" but, really, it's saying that all things happening in my life, all that I am in control of and I am surrounded by, is all doing well and I am happy. Yiwaawa!
5. Mnike by Tyler ICU
As stated, this song doesn't necessarily fit into the "uplifting" category, but it definitely fits into top songs that you will hear on repeat throughout Namibia. You can't escape this song. It is everywhere.
Which was your favorite?
"Try Again" by Yo Maps, without question! PS Yo Mama K, here! lol
Lauren - thank you for this list!!! Love learning about the cultural music and how reflective their music is of their lifestyles!