Okinikini

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.

by Windhoek Observer

NAMIBIA’s pioneer Oviritje musician, Big Ben has slammed a section of the country’s entertainment personalities he described as “people suffering from the ‘I-Deserve-It’ syndrome’”.
Big Ben, whose real name is Ben Venaune Kandukira says he is fed up of undeserving characters who are receiving benefits and glory they did not work for.
In an e-mail to the Windhoek Observer this week the “Moro Moro” hit-maker said some entertainment personalities, especially musicians think they only need to be a certain sex, a specific tribe or be corrupt in order to make it in the industry.
Discrimination
Big Ben said, “If it is not Black Economic Empowerment, it is Black Female Empowerment. Creating opportunities and doorways for specific persons without a thought for a system or process to sustain it will only leave the musicians feeling frustrated.
“Thankfully, Namibians are now waking up and do not care about whom you are but rather what you can deliver. Nepotism, tribalism and many other forms of discrimination in Namibia are dying out and there is nothing but hard work and sweat ahead for those that depended on it before.”
Sponsors
The artist’s concerns come in the wake of a response to an article carried in an English daily on Friday 12 August, about two of Namibia’s top female musicians complaining about not being in the line-up for the Old Mutual Jazz Encounter 2011.
“With all respect to fellow musicians, it should be said that it is not fair for those companies that would even consider indulging in Namibian music, to be ridiculed by a few hurt souls. This kind of behaviour only discourages other potential sponsors to look elsewhere to take their funds.
Judges
“We have alienated a lot more organizations and corporations from investing themselves in the music industry due to our drunkenness, violence and disregard for ethics and corporate expectations. We have further created an illusion that our class of citizens has a special license to be majestic jesters. So, if nobody will say anything about it, Big Ben will,” he said.
Big Ben explained that he turned up for the auditions held at the Play House Theatre and the rest was up to a panel of judges to decide, adding that “the judging panel’s decisions must be respected this year as they were respected the previous years when they did not choose Big Ben for their prestigious event.”
Genre
Asked whether Big Ben is a jazz musician or an Oviritje crooner he responded: “That is a [dumb] question about what my music is and my fellow musicians have shown very little understanding about theories of music, the genres and their origins to warrant a response. Mickey Mouse would not even bother to respond. All that can be said is that Big Ben will perform 'Moro Moro' on that night.”
Big Ben is not only outspoken, but he has always been running on a different track. Big Ben is one of the most celebrated musicians in Namibia with an impressive record of album sales, as well as a consistent concert and appearance track record.

Ben Kandukira also known as Big Ben has appointed Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Namibian Society for Authors and Composers of Music at a recent Board Meeting. Mr. Kandukira was appointed to the Board of Directors of NASCAM at an Annual General Meeting at the end of the year 2010. He was immediately voted Vice Chairperson at the first Board Meeting. According

to him, the new Board of Directors was put in place by the musicians themselves with a mandate to come up with a plan on how to increase the revenue for song writers and composers. The board has accepted the challenge and has since been working on cleaning up the NASCAM house and laying down a plan of action and vision for the future.

Mr. Kandukira has recently completed a course through the World Intellectual Property Organization in Ha Noi, Vietnam called "Exercise and Management of Copyright". The course have allowed an opportunity to study various aspects of Intellectual Property with emphasis on Copyright as well as chance to learn how other countries manage their affairs. Through the course Kandukira has been rubbing shoulders with lawyers, musicians and administrators from countries such as Saint Lucia and Barbados in the Caribbean region, Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria in Africa, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Mongolia, the Maldives, the Philippines, Vietnam and El Salvador.