Gazza (artist)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Gazza


|Img_capt =
Background =
Birth_name = Lazarus Karandu ka Asino ya Shiimi
Alias = Gaz-Lam, Gazzie
Born = birth date and age|1977|3|10 Oshakati, Namibia
Origin = Oshakati, Ovamboland, Namibia
Genre = Kwaito
Hip hop
Reggae
Dance Hall
Occupation = Musician, producer
Years_active = 2003 - present]
Label = RC Ghetto records, G.M.P.
Influences = to young teens by singing his songs with inspiring words and being the amberssader of education
Associated_acts = Elvo, Mshoza, Sgem 1, Street Kids
URL = [http://www.gazza.com.na/ Gazza.Com.Na]

Lazarus Karandu ka Asino ya Shiimi(known as Gazza) (b. 10 March, 1977, in Oshakati) is a Namibian Kwaito artist. Gazza had always been interested in music as he had started a band in primary school. He attended Etosha High School where his interest in music was exemplified through his involvement in several choirs and his fascination with Kwaito. Due to his skill in soccer in his youth, he was nicknamed Gazza in reference to his similar style to the famous English soccer player Paul Gascoigne. Gazza's music has shown influences from Dance Hall, Hip-hop, Reggae and Kwaito. While utilizing the kwaito style of a simple bass beat and addictive repetitions, Gazza has also risen above the trend of focusing on just the beat, and shown a lyrical style describing township life and their connection to Namibian life. Both young and old Namibians feel they can associate to his lyrics due to his style.

Shiimi released two albums in 2004, "Tanauka" and "Zula II Survive" and have made him popular in Namibia. His third album "Stof-Lap Chikapute" was released in 2005 which opened doors for him in the South African market. According to Gazza, "Stof-Lap" is a symbol of new beginnings and a "Chikapute" is a colloquial, or street term referring to those who have nothing, so the title "Stof-Lap Chikapute" defines a nobody starting from nothing. His 2007 album "467/GMP Till I Die" is Namibia's first double CD album, is considered one of the best Kwaito albums Namibia has ever produced. The album is also known for its direct and indirect attacks on The Dogg, Sunny Boy and Mshasho with whom he had been beefing.

Beef with The Dogg and Sunny Boy

Gazza has been beefing with fellow kwaito artist and former frieds The Dogg and Sunny Boy. The beef escalated when Sunny left Gazza's G.M.P. stabel to sign with Dogg's Mshasho Productions. Gazza saw the move as being unfair since Sunny did not want to acknowledge Gazza has his founder.

Since his appearance on the Namibian music scene with his 2004 album "Tanauka", Shiimi has worked his way up to become one of the most commercially successful recording artists in Namibia. Shiimi has embarked on tours that have exposed him to the rest of Africa and the world. His work has been well received and is a firm favourite with Channel O, a DSTV channel, where his work and life is a regular showcase. Shiimi is one of the best and respected artists in Namibia.

Discography

*2004: "Tanauka"
*2004: "Zula II Survive"
*2005: "Stof-Lap Chikapute"
*2007: "467/GMP Till I Die"
*2008: "Still The King"

Other albums

*2004: "Omalaeti O'Swapo" - In participation with The Dogg, Elvo and Pablo.

Awards

*2007 Channel O Music Video Awards - Best Kwaito (“Mokasie”) [Museke: [http://museke.com/index.php?q=node/1534 Channel O Music Video Awards 2007 winners] ]

References

* [http://www.nammusc.com] the home of Namibian artist
* [http://www.gazza.com.na] . Website of Gazza's Gazza Music Productions (GMP).
* [http://www.museke.com/node/1621] . Gazza's page on Museke.com