Jericho is one of Namibia’s premier hip-hop MCs who last year released "Check Who’s back"; so far the most successful hip-hop album in the country.
Behind the walls of Jericho:
(from TThe Big Issue Namibia Magazine, by Lukas Haufiku, September 9, 2007)
He’s got a deep poetic ability, a charisma so warm and speeches filled with rhymes, which he always delivers on a silver platter on every stage he has graced. If “I still love you” doesn’t ring a bell then I don’t know what else to say. The Big Issue sits down with kwaito-legend Jericho and talks about his music, his stint in prison and his African queen.
Q: Who is Jericho?
A: I’m a loving, funny, very-down-to-earth person, who loves food and loves being myself at all times. I was raised by a single mother who gave me all she could, even though there wasn’t much to offer. I know my father, but he was never there for me. As a child, he sometimes was there for a brief moment, but never stuck around. I had to be the man of the house. I was raised like any other child, but my life was a hustle. My mom had no job and she had to be both a mom and a dad at the same time, know what I’m sayin’.
We had our good and our bad times like any other ordinary ghetto child. I’m still in close contact with my mom, because I respect her and I love her to bits and pieces. Even though my father was never around, I have forgiven him and our relationship is growing far stronger. He’s the one playing bass guitar on my current project.
I have a baby daughter called Cherisha and I’m there for her through thick and thin, because I know how it feels to go through life without the love of a father. She’s a complicated little woman with her own mood swings. I cherish her as I cherish my life, because.
Q: Where did it start?
A: Growing up surrounded by musical fanatics, music has always been my passion, but I started as a dancer way back at primary school. If and when my father was around, I would sit in on his band rehearsals at my mom’s place. He played for so many bands and he still does today. I would say my dad was a strong influence on me going into music. But back then I didn’t see it. I was too gang-minded to anticipate my future. While in prison things turned, I wrote stacks of songs, of which I only used two (“Dear Judge” and “Check who’s back”)
Q: What’s up with the Namibian music industry?
A: Our music industry has grown nationally, but for it to break through onto the international scene a lot needs to change, from DJ’s, Radio presenters, Television presenters etc. There is too much favouritism, rather than recognition for true talent. Whoever is calling the shots should know that the playing field should be levelled and only then will we see change in our industry.
Currently my vision for our industry is blurred. The people in authority are down-playing the industry and it’s clouding the future. I can’t really see what’s on the other side.
I just completed my second album, which is scheduled for release within a month or two. Not just me, but the entire Ghetto Child Entertainment family is hard at work with their albums. Hopefully my boy Dixon will release his album early next year.
I take life as it comes, I strongly believe in God, and I let him lead my decisions, I daily surrender to Him to do with me as He wills. Therefore, I’m not really consumed with long term plans. I live life as it comes. I can’t predict the future, but all I can say is I hope to become a Hip-Hop superstar in the future.
Q: And with that come the women?
A: Very few women out there are able to love a brother for who he is and not for what he does. There are just too many of them that are material minded. Don’t get me wrong, I respect women and what they stand for. I grew up amongst them. The Tura is a place where the tough survive; it’s a lecture on life and the kind of education you don’t find in schools. You must have a drive in life to make it in or out of Katutura.
Q: Tell me about gang life.
A: It was tough, rough and blood-spilling. It was all about loyalty towards each other. Moreover, poverty, peer pressure, bullies, and anger at life itself drove me into living life as a gangster. At the age of 18, I was charged with nine and trialed on two counts: Robbery and Homicide. I was sentenced to 11 years imprisonment, with five years on probation. After four years I came out on good behaviour.
I was young and prison was tough. Locked up amongst hardcore criminals in the F section, it was an experience that got me thinking about the kind of life I wanted to be remembered for once I’m gone.
Prison was neither for me, nor for anybody else, but I guess we all have to pay our dues. People I had love for never came to visit me while in prison, not ever my fellow gang members. But guess who was always there. Mama. She has been there since day one, through thick and thin, until death do us part.
I decided to change my life while in prison and upon my release, I saw how past decisions I had made affected people I loved. It was reason enough for me to turn my back on a life of crime for good. Now, my biggest challenge is to dealing with people who are not happy with the fact that I was released and made something out of my life.
Q: Mom?
A: (Jericho removes his cap from his head before he speaks about his mother). She’s the women who raised a boy into a man. She is the woman who’s been there since day one, though the bad and the good. I can’t even imagine turning my back on her. Not only is she my mother, but she was also my father when I needed one the most.
She’s very funny and I’m so open with her. We had little, but she made sure I had all I wanted as a child. She is the African queen I sing about in my tracks. And there’s a track titled “Mama all I got is you” on my first album. She is the mother God gave me and I wouldn’t trade her for another.
Q: Is gang violence on the increase?
A: Nobody can tell you how to live your life and experience might change your perception on life, but not every gangster gets a second chance to make things right. I only have God to thank to have made it out alive. In life, we all have to learn the easy or the hard way. But it would be good if you stop and listen because sooner or later you’ll have to face the consequences of your actions. I hope somebody learns a lesson from my life without having to go through the same experience.
Jericho. jy i just saw a vid with you at the cut the cake party thing on youtube. and i think ive seen you on the bus(i was on the bus u was not) a while back around december, anyways hows the new year? hope its treating you good.
Hey Jericho, it's late now... I'm going in 2 weeks to germany as I told you... And I'm still waiting... Ask for my number at the people cause I'm not in Katutura at the moment... Best wishes Chris
I still remember how you use to dance for me :-) KIA for life.
Some news: My music is now available on CD Baby. Please check it out and have a listen, when you got time. Would be nice if you could leave your comments as well. Would really like to know what you think of the songs.
It means so much to me to know what my ‘Friends’ think of my music, especially knowing that you yourself are an entertainer and involved in music.
Also, when you buy: 10 % of the sales will go directly to my charity group (COVET for the Witvlei Orphanage in Namibia).
I'm so excited to share this project with you, so excited.
