For the love of music

tjil set down with Ras Sheehama as he gave his two cents on life in general and the local music industry at large, from his perspective. Something upcoming artists can definitely learn a thing or two.



Family

Ras Sheehama spoke about his family, both that are far and near. “My father has passed. I have many siblings, we are 10, five girls and five boys but that is just on my mother''s side. My siblings are scattered all over the country. I have seven children. Some are in Namibia and one is in the States. The last born is 14 years old and he should be the last one also,” he said with a chuckle. Ras hails from Ombalantu but said he rarely goes there. “I don''t like staying there for long because it becomes tedious. It''s not because there are no city lights but, like I would know exactly what they will say or do. I can''t ever stay long because I have gigs as well,” Ras said.



New music perhaps?

Ras confirmed that he is definitely releasing an album mid next year. “I am always busy because my kind of writing doesn''t just say ''let''s go to the studio'' you see. For me I don''t look for the song but it looks for me rather,” he adds. There will be a song titled Hypocritical World on the new album and that''s all he has so far. “It talks about everything, the hypocrisy in politics, religion, social life and media. In short it''s like people do not like war but it seems like even nations with intelligent leaders are signing documents of war. Suddenly, the Russians and Americans have a plan to ''liberate the middle east but from what? Religion, we take money to pay for salvation, for what? It''s not nice when you fake people in the name of Jesus. Jesus doesn''t need your money; it''s the leaders of the church that need it. That''s why they drive Mercedes Benz neatly shaved and clean whilst you take a taxi every Sunday. I''m not taking sides but these are some of the things I tackle,” says the musician.



Social media consequences

Ras has social media accounts but he chooses not to be an active member unless necessary. He says it is useless being on social media because people share meaningless information. To him, it''s fake because social media is being used to make people see what they are not supposed to see. “Share something relevant like when you really have something to share. Some of the teaching and policing that happen have no meaning. Do you know where all these judgemental people and girls who share their private parts come from? Christian homes and on Sunday you will see them at church. So you understand how this is messed up? Respect and love yourself because when you know your boundaries you will know that you can''t say certain things around certain people so let me change it.”



The future generation

According to Ras, the freedom of speech that this generation claims to have is all politics and that is what happens when people say things you don''t understand. “It''s because these are the things you are fed by the constitution and by the books. Yes you have rights but you don''t have a piece of land to stand and talk politics that are against the government because the police will come and fetch you regardless. Is it perhaps education rights? Yes those ones you have but if you don''t live in a place that has the proper facilities then what rights are you talking about? They say they have rights but your parents can smack you today so what rights guys? They can kick you out and the government will put you in a foster house where people only have one meal per day. Do you still have your rights with you,” questions the musician. Ras says it comes with evolution but he understands because he blends in with all kinds of generations.



Music industry

Ras says the industry hasn''t reached its peak yet but it is doing just great. “Once Namibia becomes a music buying power house maybe, we will go somewhere. It depends on how the public perceives their local music. You will see them at R Kelly''s concert in large numbers but the same won''t happen at a similar or even cheaper concert of Tate Buti. Until that mentality stops then we won''t go anywhere. International artists are made from home first, you see. So, if we want our artists to prosper we should support them from the beginning,” says Ras. He also insists that it is important to work together from the artists, the public and the media. “Come in the music industry with passion and that should drive you. You must be ready for the misfortune and the fortune too. If you fall, fall on your side and not your face. Leave the mentality of wanting to sell 1 000 copies within a year. Not even Gazza or The Dogg can in a year. If you are still new in the market don''t make a lot of copies,” he stressed. He urged that artists should support one another''s concerts and shows. He says the music industry shouldn''t be a competition that it seems to be.



Way forward

Ras says it''s a pity that local music isn''t found in international shops like Musica or CNA but it could be a positive thing. “It''s not because we are not good enough, it''s simply because they are lazy to make money from us,” he says. Ras also said that Namibian artists must take time to read the NASCAM constitution because they don''t understand its purpose. “The main objective of NASCAM is to collect and distribute funds to artists. They count logs and unfortunately many DJ''s don''t fill the logs in and that''s where the problem is.

Things you didn''t know about Ras Sheehama

1. Hasn''t eaten red meat since 1985 when he was in Lagos, Nigeria.

2. By 05:00 he is up and takes a morning jog and goes back to sleep.

3. Prefers to eat out at Ocean Basket or Zoo Café if not at home.

4. If he walks into a place where his music is playing he will walk out.

June Shimuoshili