Gazza (artist) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Gazza
Gazza attending an awards ceremony Background information Birth name Lazarus Shiimi Also known as "gazzlam", Born March 10, 1977 (1977-03-10) (age 33) Oshakati, Namibia Origin Oshakati, Ovamboland, Namibia Genres kwaito hip hop reggae Dancehall Occupations Musician Years active 2003 - present Labels RC Ghetto Records (2003-04), G.M.P. Associated acts D- jay, Street Kids, Roger, Eclipse Website Official Website
Lazaruz Karandu shiimi known by his stage name as Gazza, is a Namibian musician from Oshakati. Gazza is a multi genre talented musician, he has shown influences from kwaito, hip hop, reggae and dancehall. As a soccer lover, he nicknamed himself Gazza after famous English soccer player Paul Gascoigne. He's one of the most commercially successful recording artists in Namibia. Gazza is one of the best selling musicians in his country. Contents [hide]
* 1 Early life * 2 Music career * 3 Business ventures * 4 Discography * 5 References
[edit] Early life
Karandu was born and raised in Oshikuku, Oshakati. He attended Etosha High School near Tsumeb, where his interest in music was exemplified through his involvement in several choirs and his fascination with kwaito. After completing his high school he went to study in South Africa where he fell in love with kwaito music. [edit] Music career
He was influenced by South African kwaito legends, Zola, TKZee and M'Duand Namibian Papa Kossy . Shiimi released two albums in 2004, Tanauka and Zula II Survive which have made him popular in Namibia. His third album Stof-Lap Chikapute was released in 2005. His 2007 album 467/GMP Till I Die is Namibia's first double album, and is considered one of the best kwaito albums in Namibia. Shiimi released his fifth studio album, Still The King in September 2008. Cosa Nostra was released in December 2009 on New Year's Eve.
Gazza has won several music awards, including "Artist of the year" at the Sanlam/NBC Music Awards, as well as two "Best Kwaito" awards at the Channel O Music Awards, for his hit song "Mokassie" in 2007, and in 2009 for another hit song, "Passop" - featuring South African Kwaito artist Bleksem. [edit] Business ventures
Gazza is also known for his high business acumen. Apart from "promotional items" such as t-shirts, key rings and chains branded with his GMP brand, 2009 saw him launching a range of nine different flavoured sparkling mineral water, branded "G-fresh". This water seems to be very popular among his fans.
Early in the year 2009 October 25th, Gazza's associate artists Roger Ndapanda Iitembu and Eclipse Julius Spiegel died in a car crash while they were returning from a performance they had earlier that night, three other crew members were also involved but survived with severe injuries. It had brought so much shock to the country and all other Namibian artist, including their label leader Gazza. It was one of the saddest losses that happened to the Namibian music industry indeed.
In early 2010, the Namibian Sun newspaper reported that Gazza has invested N$300 000 dollars in a newly launched entertainment newspaper called The 411. Gazza has since acquired 49% shareholding in the project. And in the meanwhile, D jay the young GMP hiphop singer has resigned from the label lately around the months of september 2010, the reasons to why are not yet known following another GMP producer Kapro. [edit] Discography
* 2004: Tanauka * 2004: Zula II Survive * 2005: Stof-Lap Chikapute * 2007: 467/GMP Till I Die * 2008: Still The King * 2009: Cosa Nostra Lafamilia
[edit] References
* [1] the home of Namibian artist * [2]. Website of Gazza's Gazza Music Productions (GMP). * [3] . Gazza's page on Museke.com * [4] Exposenewspaper.com 2009 25th October
[hide] v • d • e Gazza Albums Tanauka • Omalaeti O'Swapo • Zula II Survive • Stof-Lap Chikapute • 467/GMP Till I Die • Still The King • Cosa Nostra Lafamiliar Singles Ghetto Life • Tanuka • Shidolodolo • Koko • KKN • Kick It • Apa Nape • Mokasie • South 2 Corner • Lets Stay Together • International • Ongalo • Still The King • Passop • Hold on Related articles The Dogg • Mandoza • M'du • Artur • Zola • TKZee • Gal Level • Tre Van Die Kasie • OmPuff • Sunny Boy • Qonja • Jericho • Kwaito • Music of Namibia Persondata NAME Gazza ALTERNATIVE NAMES SHORT DESCRIPTION DATE OF BIRTH 1977-03-10 PLACE OF BIRTH DATE OF DEATH PLACE OF DEATH Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gazza_(artist)" Categories: Namibian musicians | Living people | 1977 births | Kwaito artists | People from Oshana Region