Neslow bares it all

Many know him as Exit's shadow, the guy who makes any song a hit should he be featured on it. Neslow has been in the industry for ten years as a producer and singer. For the first time he speaks out on his journey and aspirations.



The love for music

Neslow recalls always wanting to be a musician since a tender age. With his father being Henry Kambode, one of the first Ndilimani Cultural Troupe members, it was more or less his fate. Like many mothers, Neslow's one wanted a future for her son that goes beyond the stage, microphone and fans.

“I come from an unpleasant background as my parents never had anything. Music is in my blood I guess. I used to watch my father play in Kwanza-Sul. My mother says I used to sing since I was a toddler. Even my crying had a musical element to it,” he recalls.

School didn't interest Neslow at all. According to him English was his favourite subject in which he got straight As, while he failed the rest with Us.

A clear indication of his love for music during school was how he was the go-to guy for everything entertainment at school.



Following his dreams

After failing grade 10 in Grootfontein, Neslow knew that music was all he wanted to do and he decided to pack up and leave for Windhoek.

“My mother wanted to send me to Namcol instead but I wanted music.

“I believe music is the reason my parents are not together today. She knew that a career in music is not easy and she only wanted greatness for me.

I told her regardless… I'm going to go with or without her blessings,” he says.

By chance, he ended up being neighbours with artist Mushe's friend Names who had a studio in his house.

Out of curiosity, one day he jumped the fence to find out what was happening.

Neslow became friends with Names to the point where he would be left alone in the studio producing beats.

“One day Mushe walked in to make his music. He didn't acknowledge me in the beginning but with time he acknowledged my talent and we made a song titled 'Selima',” he says.

Back in Grootfontein, Neslow's mother had come to realisation that her son wanted to persue music and with a help of a friend, she managed to send him to Mpumalanga to study sound engineering. Upon returning from South Africa he came back to Windhoek where he produced beats. He met Exit through Mushe and started working with them too.



Exit and Neslow

Neslow struggled to place himself in the industry. In 2009 when Exit and Mushe had split up, he decided to stick with Exit. Exit launched the brand Rockaz and produced the album Am Rockaz where Neslow was featured on songs including 'Paparazzi' and 'Days Like These' to mention a few. The two friends, due to circumstances, ended up being distanced and stopped staying together in 2012.

“I wouldn't blame Exit; it's the people who were around him. I understood his position because it was really tough out there and he couldn't just have me tagging everywhere. This also made me stronger and realise my strengths and being able to stand alone,” he said.

The two remained friends and in 2014 Neslow started working on his album Omumati Woswagga. Things started to look up for him as he was getting sponsorship and eventually a manger.

“I am grateful for all the people who were there from the beginning of my career as a solo artist. I was finally getting recognition as Neslow and not as someone else's shadow,” said Neslow.



Getting it together

Neslow had to leave Windhoek to clear his head and to start over as the city was becoming a handful for him. He recalls his life just being about booking hotel rooms for partying, drinking and smoking. He realised that kind of lifestyle is not what he wants to live and he relocated to Okahandja.

“I want to settle down and have a family one day but who will want you if that's all you do? I guess I can say I grew up and I am on the right path now,” he said.

Neslow says he has learned a lot from the industry and it is not easy. He says he is content with how far he has come. He says the lessons he learned from those who were supposed to be his right hand are those he will never forget. Asked if he was content with his life, the artist says he is living his best one yet.

“I wish I had stayed enough to finish my degree in Mpumalanga. I'm not satisfied and I am only beginning. I don't want to be known as the chorus boy. I want to get the recognition I deserve for all I have done. I have my record label Kalawakotoka Productions and things are really looking up for me,” he concluded.

Neslow's second album Graduation is currently on the market and is available at Antonio's Arts.

June Shimuoshili