Okinikini

Verse 1

Kotora omundu uandje uemutuarapi

Ngumahungire kaje kako

Nguina tuzuvasana

Tuna okamuanoketu

Mohungire otja Mukuru no nganga

Ndino kona okuzuvasana

Ove ndino kona okuzuvasana

Chorus

Mbatemua x3

Mbakumua x3

Verse 2

Mbatemua tjjitukara katuposasana ofoko kako

Mbakumua kutja watie ije mukuetu uandje

Mbakumua indi erero atuari naua kumue

Mbakumua naove

Mbatemua tjjitukara katuposasana ofoko kako

Mbakumua kutja watie ije mukuetu uandje

Hapo uatie okondjesa mukuetu x2

Social Avenue, Big Ben’s new album has been released online on over 24 online music retailers.

The album is Big Ben’s sixth album after the hit album “Natango” and is again, predominantly, sung in African languages and only about 2 songs contain English lyrics. The track Bum Bum Bum has already reached the number one spot on Base FM’s top ten charts and there more tracks promising to be hits once it hits the airwaves.

According to online Album notes, Big Ben has co-produced 2 songs with well known producer Christiaan Poloni of Cabanon Music of the “A Handful of Namibians” fame. The album also features the young drummer Fiston Britto a

nd Tate Mafuta from Ndilimani Cultural Troupe.

Big Ben has long been Namibia’s ignored international musician with a record of international performances in countries such Germany and publishing record on various artist compilations in Europe and the world. For example, all six songs from the Moro Moro EP have been published on various editions of a compilation called “Africa Meets Pop, Hip Hop and Contemporary”. His rise on the world wide web has drawn so much attention that various publishing houses has approached him for publishing rights in the USA and Europe but according to him, he refused due to the fact that he would rather have all rights managed from Namibia. In addition, his music has also been used in various theatre productions and exhibitions in European countries such as Denmark.

The album Social Avenue, which consists of 14 tracks, has been released on well known online and mobile music shops and players such as iTunes, Amazon MP3 Store, Nokia OVI, Medianet , Zune, the mobile music application Spotify.

Okinikini Records has moved online for this album due to a relatively high demand for the music internationally. According to the record label, Big Ben’s fans have done a good job in being ambassadors for his music that internet sales for his music has picked up, prompting the label to give more attention to online sales. Evidently, the Namibian population in the Diaspora has grown and they need to be fed with music from the motherland.  Current Sales records for the new album indicates sales from as far as Atlanta, Georgia in the US and other cities in Canada, Norway, Nigeria, South Africa, Germany, Italy and England through the more than 24 online shops.

Some links to the various online stores are listed below. Please visit links.

iTunes, MySpace, Nokia, Medianet, LastFM, Amazon Mp3 Store and CDBaby.        

The album’s release in Namibia has been delayed since last year due to too much travelling and a tight calendar on the corporate circuit in Namibia, Europe and Asia. However, Big Ben fans have been promised the album to be released on CD by February 2012.

With regards to Namibian’s that would prefer digital downloads, Big Ben says that it is unfortunate that the Namibian internet and banking services are far behind with the rest of the world. Many online shops do not avail products to Namibian music lovers to buy directly due licensing restrictions and a history of high fraudulent activities in many African countries. However, some sites will allow his album to be sold in countries such as Namibia and South Africa. Notably, if you have a Nokia phone you can just buy Big Ben’s music from the Nokia music store. The good news is that any credit card issued in Namibia can allow you to buy music on any website and you will save at least N$20 dollars on an album if you buy a digital download.

Good news for all my fans outside Namibia, meaning the rest of the world, the Album "Social Avenue" has been released on various online stores for download. Here is a link www.cdbaby.com/cd/bigben3. Else google "Big Ben Social Avenue". The album contains 14 original songs in both Otjiherero and English. You can buy single tracks or the entire album. His recent trips to Europe and Asia was the motivation to ensure that music lovers in the world would be supplied at their finger tips.

According to Okinikini Records, the music will be on iTunes and other major online music shops.

Big Ben is one of the most respectable musicians in Namibia and sings Afro-Pop, Fusion and Traditional Music. He has performed his music with live bands using modern and traditional instruments throughout his career. Having won awards in Namibia as Best Live Performer, his music provides thumping African Drums and Bass, and is sung in the ethnic language of Otjiherero. Big Ben's hot music here is very rhythmic and great for parties for all ages. Simply stated, his music is the very best of Afro-Pop from Namibia. Big Ben emerged as one of Namibian music's most seminal acts. Writing highly literate, sternly luminous songs accompanied by a fresh blend of instrumentation, his music fused the traditional and rural folks rhythm with the spirit of urban African pop to create a unique blend different from all other local musicians.

The gentleman has so far released five albums namely Don't Bother (2001), Ouje Imbui (2003), Untitled (2007), Moro Moro (20008) and Natango which featured more songs in other languages such as Oshiwambo and English has been a success and received nominations in the Namibia music awards. In addition he is a producer and has produced songs and albums for various musicians including, Matongo Family, Tequila, Skelly, Uno Boy and many more. The respect he commands from young adults and adults has earned him a place on the top of the Industry.

Big Ben is the best Live Act in Namibia and the City of Windhoek has awarded him with the Best Live Performer for the City's Annual /Ae//Gams Cultural Festival.

Album Notes:

All songs written and produced by Ben Kandukira except ‘Mbatemua’ and Nyanga-Nyanga’ which were produced by Christiaan Poloni and Ben Kandukira. Guitars, Keyboards , Saxaphone and Bass by Ben Kandukira except for ‘Hitjivirue’ with Bass by Tate Mafuta courtesey of Ndilimani Cultural Troupe and ‘Number 6 in the Jukebox’ with drums by Fiston Britto. ‘Kozongoro’ remixed by Dj Nganya. Instrumentation on ‘Mbatemua’ and Nyanga-Nyanga’ courtesey of Cabanon Music Studio, Windhoek. All Instruments in ‘Koyaroua’ by Ben Kandukira and drums by Fiston Britto. Produced and Mixed at Silver Box Studios, additional work done at Ndilimani Studios at Brakwater and Cabanon Studios, Windhoek West.