In their very first interview on #TheTribeExclusive, the dynamic music duo Ethnix sit down with Presenter Ché Ulenga to talk about their music.
Consisting of Etjo Kangumine and Julius Marco Hamwele, who is better known as Page, the group describes their sound as “very distinctive and unique, fusing hip-hop and R&B with traditional elements and Pop”.
Describing how his interested in music sparked in primary school, Page recalls: “I used to do talent shows. I started off as a dancer and then I ventured into rapping.” By the time he was in high school, he formed a dance group with some friends who shared the same dream of making it big in entertainment. Aptly called ‘Dream City’, the group would shoot videos and take part in various events to showcase their talents.
After a few years, Page suggested to his group members that they approach Windhoek-based producer Araffath Muhuure to take their dreams further.
To his surprise, Page made a very good impression on Araffath who within a few months decided to sign him up – but as a solo act.
“We had a couple of songs and then he said there’s something missing and the missing piece was a female voice,” he says.
The two tried out a couple of female vocalists but none of them were good enough. Until they met Etjo.
Once they met her through a friend of hers who brought her over to the 777 Studios, it was a done deal.
After officially hitting the studio as a duo in 2014, they decided to call themselves Ethnix to represent the tribal elements in their sound. They came out with a few hit songs which topped the charts of several local radio stations, but they eventually cut ties with Araffath and decided to work with another producer.
The pair express how grateful they are for the continued support they have received from their fans over the years.
“Namibia has taught us that if they believe in you they are willing to push you and they have, because if they didn’t love our music I’m sure we wouldn’t even be here,’ says Etjo.
She continues: “They’ve been so supportive, they’ve been so welcoming of the new sound and they literally always tell us that we came up with a very high bar.”
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