Namibia’s music industry is inundated with aspiring artists, talented artists who have built and honed their craft and the artists who are born with their art and come out of the womb singing it, drawing it, or creating it. Dantago Schimming is one such artist. Otherwise known as AB, which stands for African Boy, Dantago is loved around the country for his smooth rich voice, which relaxes the listener with its whispering endearments on love, life and relationships.
Singing from his Mother’s Womb
In a conversation with Suite 101on the 20 June 2009, it is easy to see why the Namibian public is enamoured with Dantago. He is quiet, unassuming and humble, and it is evident that he is just like any other person working at what he loves to do. ‘I sing because I am music and I love music, and therefore my purpose has become to entertain and educate people with my music.'
Born on the 25 April 1982 in Windhoek, Namibia, Dantago cannot put a date on when he first begun to sing, and could only state that he had been doing it ever since he could remember; although he does say that his mother informed him that he had been singing ever since he was born, with and without words.
Crazy Like a Fool
To find inspiration for his music, Dantago says he feeds off his surroundings, drawing his muse from situations and objects around him. He describes his music as African, not because of its sound and feel but simply because he is African. Despite this fact, he still insists that music holds no borders, telling Suite 101 that, ‘Music to me is simply what it is, music. It does not matter where you come from it will always be music.’
Dantago or AB has just released his first music video single called ‘Crazy like a Fool’, for his upcoming sophomore album. It showcases his talent as a soulful rhythm and blues singer, the silky tones of his voice mirroring the passion that expresses itself in the collision of sound and beats. This will follow his first album which was appropriately entitled ‘Street Soul’.
Following closely on the heels of his first music video is his second music video for his upcoming album, which is entitled ‘Time to Go.’ In this video, Dantago sings around the landscapes of Namibia, the dusty dirt roads and beautiful mountainous landscape lending soul and depth to the passion he sings with.
Music Industry Blues
Dantago is critical of the industry he works in, 'The one thing I would definitely keep in this industry is good music but not everyone who feels they have a voice has talent.’ He also feels that most music promoters in Namibia are opportunists, but that there are a few gems working in the studios, 'I always work with Christian at Cabanon Studios, Becoming Phill and Eclipse, I think they are the most talented producers in the country.'
Dantago is currently working hard on his second album, which he promises to be a medley of sounds guaranteed to tantalize and titillate the senses, and has the release date set for later this year. Amidst his campaigning for his charity organisation known as Active Youth Group Namibia, Dantago continues to advocate strongly for the vulnerable in Namibian society.
Note: All quotes are from Dantago Schimming who was quoted whilst he was in a conversation with Suite 101 on the 20th of June 2009.
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