Big Ben Kandukira

Big Ben Kandukira
Background information
Birth name	Venaune Kandukira (1978-12-12) December 12, 1978
Born	Omutiuanduko, Erongo Region, Namibia
Occupation(s)	Singer, Songwriter, Performing Artist
Instruments	Guitar
Years active	2001-present
Website	www.okinikini.com

Big Ben Kandukira, born Venaune Ben Kandukira, is one of the most celebrated performing and recording artists in contemporary Namibia.^[1]

From his first album release in 2001, Kandukira stuck to Afro-Pop, Afrobeat, and Fusion with a strong presence of his tribal rhythms, melodies and local languages which have earned him respect from both the music-loving public and his fellow musicians. Apart from securing himself a notable place in major musical events and festivals in Namibia, Kandukira has also graced stages in Europe.

Kandukira's music has been described as a true Namibian sound and he has been hailed as Namibia's top live music performer with a constant presence on stage with his guitar. Kandukira has released six albums to date and one collection of old and unreleased songs from his decade of professional music. ^[2]

Early life

Kandukira was born on 12 December 1978 at a Omutiuanduko, a village in the Erongo Region of Namibia. Kandukira is the first born of eight siblings and has been the bread winner for his family since the age of eighteen. He received his primary and secondary education in the Erongo region. In 1997, he moved to the capital city of Namibia, Windhoek, to pursue music.

Kandukira learned to play guitar with a traditional four string guitar from the age of eight, which he had received from a San man who worked at their homestead. He was introduced to a western six string modern guitar at the music department of the Swakopmund Secondary School at Swakopmund in the Erongo Region.

He later joined the Bricks Community Theatre project, a community theatre group in Windhoek, where he met people that he would later consider friends. During this time he played the keyboard for a disco band called Splendid while working on his own music.

Career

Don't Bother is Kandukira's first release and was recorded at the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation's studio. The album consisted of songs in both Otjiherero, his native tongue, and English. Kandukira became more notable following the release of his second album, Moro Moro, in 2008, with his first hit song, "Moro Moro". Two other tracks on the album ended up on an artist compilation album, Africa Meets Hip Hop, Pop and Contemporary.^[3]

Kandukira's song "Social Avenue" (from his 2011 album "Social Avenue") won him a NAMA Award for Best Jazz/Instrumental. The album also contains one of his hits "Number 6 In The Jukebox" which has received considerable airplay in Namibia and online streams and sales.^[4]

In 2014, Kandukira released "First Collection", a collection of sought-after songs from his first six albums plus four new songs.

"Back to the Basics", released in 2015, earned Kandukira four nominations and two awards at the Namibian Annual Music Awards 2016. The track "Ovombo", a direct interpretation of the traditional style of music of the Ovaherero called Omuhiva, won an award in the category for Best Traditional Category and the album won him Artist of the Year 2016.^[5] The album was first launched in Manchester, UK in September 2015 before being released in Namibia later the same year.^[6]

Discography

• Don't Bother (2001)
• Big Ben (2003)
• Untitled (2005)
• Moro Moro (2008)
• Social Avenue (2011)
• First Collection (2014)
• Back to the Basics (2015)

Achievements

Competitions

• 2007: Best Live Performer of the Year 2007 at the /Ae //Gams Cultural Festival
• 2013: Second Place Last Band Standing Competition ^[7]

Awards

• 2013: Best Jazz/Instrumental for 'Social Avenue' from the Album Social Avenue.
• 2015: Best Song with a Message – 'Africa Penduka' a single that was later released in the album 'Back to the Basics'.
• 2016: Best Traditional for 'Ovombo' and Best Male Artist of the Year 2016^[5]

References