Soulking: The Namibian producer behind a global hit
Gearing up for his first solo album
With several years in the industry, various collaborations and a number of hits under his belt, Soulking has finally packaged his first solo album.
Namibian producer Soulking, real name Tuahangana Hangula, has quickly risen as one of the most exciting names on the amapiano scene. With a hit song that has captivated audiences worldwide and over a million streams on his joint album, Soulking is carving out a name for himself on the international stage.
As he gears up for the release of his highly anticipated album ‘Echoes of the Heart’ on Friday, 30 August, Soulking caught up with tjil as he reflects on his journey, the creative process behind his work, and the milestones that have shaped his career.
He first captured global attention with the ‘It Ain’t Me’ amapiano remix, a collaboration with DJ Abux that skyrocketed to the top of amapiano charts. The producer explained that the remix emerged during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic when he began experimenting with remixes as a way to breathe new life into tracks he loved.
“Remixing allows you to take a song you love and add your own touch to it. It brings a different kind of energy and life back into a song,” he said.
The collaboration came together naturally, starting with Soulking sharing his initial project with a long-time friend, Innocent, from his school days. Later, DJ Abux - whom Soulking met through a mutual friend - joined the project. “I always feel like everything I work on is big, but I never knew the remix would be this big. It’s still one of the top five songs to come out of the genre.”
Evolving for the better
With his joint album ‘African Wonders 2’ with DJ Abux - released in 2020 - amassing over a million streams, Soulking’s music has reached listeners far beyond Namibia. “The global reception of my music has shown me that it’s possible to break out of the Namibian industry and onto a larger scale. The Namibian music scene is evolving for the better, and I believe it’s time for the Namibian Music Awards to return at this critical moment for our industry.”
As the producer prepares for the release of ‘Echoes of the Heart', he revealed that the album is a deeply personal project that has been in development for three years. Featuring a diverse line-up of artists, including Jax Sax, Gareth Hervey, Mshizo and Athena Souls, the album blends a range of genres.
“This album is very close to my heart, and I hope everyone will have as much fun listening to it as I did creating it,” he said.
Committed to growth
Known for his genre-blending approach, Soulking’s music resonates with both local and international audiences. He added that ‘Echoes of the Heart’ features tracks that shift seamlessly from amapiano to trap and jazz, and even tribal sounds that evoke deep spiritual vibes.
“I wanted to create something for everyone - songs that make people dance, tracks about love and moments of deep reflection.”
Reflecting on his journey, he acknowledged the challenges he’s faced - from navigating shady industry deals to witnessing the impact of fame on relationships.
“When I first blew up, I didn’t have the knowledge I needed to navigate the industry, but I believe I have what it takes now.”
Looking ahead, Soulking remains committed to growing as an artist and pushing the boundaries of Namibian music on the global stage.
As he gears up for the release of his highly anticipated album ‘Echoes of the Heart’ on Friday, 30 August, Soulking caught up with tjil as he reflects on his journey, the creative process behind his work, and the milestones that have shaped his career.
He first captured global attention with the ‘It Ain’t Me’ amapiano remix, a collaboration with DJ Abux that skyrocketed to the top of amapiano charts. The producer explained that the remix emerged during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic when he began experimenting with remixes as a way to breathe new life into tracks he loved.
“Remixing allows you to take a song you love and add your own touch to it. It brings a different kind of energy and life back into a song,” he said.
The collaboration came together naturally, starting with Soulking sharing his initial project with a long-time friend, Innocent, from his school days. Later, DJ Abux - whom Soulking met through a mutual friend - joined the project. “I always feel like everything I work on is big, but I never knew the remix would be this big. It’s still one of the top five songs to come out of the genre.”
Evolving for the better
With his joint album ‘African Wonders 2’ with DJ Abux - released in 2020 - amassing over a million streams, Soulking’s music has reached listeners far beyond Namibia. “The global reception of my music has shown me that it’s possible to break out of the Namibian industry and onto a larger scale. The Namibian music scene is evolving for the better, and I believe it’s time for the Namibian Music Awards to return at this critical moment for our industry.”
As the producer prepares for the release of ‘Echoes of the Heart', he revealed that the album is a deeply personal project that has been in development for three years. Featuring a diverse line-up of artists, including Jax Sax, Gareth Hervey, Mshizo and Athena Souls, the album blends a range of genres.
“This album is very close to my heart, and I hope everyone will have as much fun listening to it as I did creating it,” he said.
Committed to growth
Known for his genre-blending approach, Soulking’s music resonates with both local and international audiences. He added that ‘Echoes of the Heart’ features tracks that shift seamlessly from amapiano to trap and jazz, and even tribal sounds that evoke deep spiritual vibes.
“I wanted to create something for everyone - songs that make people dance, tracks about love and moments of deep reflection.”
Reflecting on his journey, he acknowledged the challenges he’s faced - from navigating shady industry deals to witnessing the impact of fame on relationships.
“When I first blew up, I didn’t have the knowledge I needed to navigate the industry, but I believe I have what it takes now.”
Looking ahead, Soulking remains committed to growing as an artist and pushing the boundaries of Namibian music on the global stage.
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