Tulina Ndafyaalako, better known as Young T WokOngha, or just Young T, has released 12 solo albums and says he does not plan to stop.
He describes himself as a musician and music producer who uses music as therapy.
“I am an outsider – the kind of person you never see in a club where ‘everyone’ is or aspires to be,” he says.
“I’m committed to my objective of spreading wisdom through music,” he says.
Young T, who has been involved in the music industry for more than 10 years, says one of his all-time favourite songs is the inspirational award-winning song ‘Fikulimwe,’ which inspires listeners to buy their own cars.
Another is ‘Ehaka,’ which he says has a distinct style. For this song, he chose to combine hip-hop with traditional Oshiwambo dance music, which he says is unusual in Namibia.
“Nobody expected that,” he says.
Young T says his greatest accomplishment over the last 10 years was that God enabled him “to talk sense into people’s ears”.
“The rest that comes with being a musician doesn’t really interest me. Some individuals start singing to gain money, but in my case, I was content with my earnings even before I released my debut album.
“I’ve been attempting to strike a balance between my roles as a musician and a regular person.
“It’s certainly challenging, since I can’t enter a market without having to deal with people attempting to snap a picture with me, which I love, but also find annoying occasionally,” he says.
“Also, as a hustler, I have been diversifying my income sources. I love financial security.”
Young T believes he has made a wise decision to move to Eenhana, where he also established music company UGU Empire, after paying off his home a few years ago.
“I’ve always wanted to own a home and live without paying rent. I was given the chance by God.
“People are aware of what I did. The mainstream music industry was finally made accessible to everyone in the area around Eenhana, and the locals themselves can attest to the fact that the town is now the top entertainment destination in the north,” he says.
Young T says he went through the most difficult spiritual trial of his life in 2019.
He says he wanted to stop making music, but chose to release his final album, titled ‘Philosophical Pages Volume 2: The Early Retirement’.
“As for my retirement, I just felt so out of place in this field where people don’t really value honesty. I simply wanted to leave this place and resume my normal way of life.
“I genuinely detest being famous,” he says.
“I don’t know what made me change my mind. I’m assuming that God himself wants me to keep singing and say a couple of things to my people, because I didn’t need music to survive at all.”
Young T released his latest 16-track album, ‘Repentance – The Cicada That Sang Salvation’, in July.
He says the album was part of a long-planned project.
“A cicada is a noisy insect that sings continuously. Strangely enough, people never want to hear the word of God, they would much rather hear something else.
“So, I’m like a loud cicada singing salvation to those who aren’t attempting to listen. This is what has inspired my new album.”
On the album, Young T worked with Clarisse Karasira, Rwanda’s female artist of the year in 2019.
He has also worked with Elvo Mavovo, Pro-Humble, Junior Jux, Sunny Boy, KP Illest and Shiboy, he says.
“This album demonstrates development and maturity,” he says.
Some of his favourite songs on the new album include ‘Eitavelo Loovene’, a song that describes his life as a recluse and an independent man.
“I’ve never received a million-dollar contract, and I’ve never had a job,” he says.
Young T says ‘Mercy’, featuring Sunny Boy, is another favourite, as he got to work with his “big brother” after a long time.
“I also love ‘Good Night’, as I just love how I sound, and I did it so well effortlessly,” he says.
Apart from the album, Young T says he managed to open a new studio at Shomquiyu, Ondjiva, Angola, called the UGU Empire Ondjiva branch.
“I have extended family in southern Angola,” he says.
“Every time I go to visit, I feel their vulnerabilities in my heart. Ondjiva is a large town, yet there is nowhere to record when one needs a studio.
“I just enjoy making people’s lives better. I’m not even doing it to make money for myself.”
The musician believes he is able to conquer every obstacle by having confidence in God.
“Everything is up to him – whether he can get me into this music thing with my own recording studio already,” Young T says.
He says he intends to increase his investment in global firms in the future.
“I have executed a deal with Unicoin, I have a very small investment in Google through LLC light shares, and I have a few small enterprises here and in Angola. My financial security is increased by this.”
The singer says he plans to shoot more music videos in due time.
Young T released his debut album, ‘Philosophical Pages’, in 2014, followed by ‘The Music Merchandise’ in 2015.
In 2017, he won two awards at the Namibian Annual Music Awards in the categories of song of the year with ‘Fikulimwe’, and the best kwaito category with ‘Fesha’, featuring Voster and Wizblack.
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