Namibian dancehall and Afro-fusion artist Don Kamati says his music has entered a new and more personal chapter.
Speaking to unwrap.online this past week, Don Kamati says his latest and most recent releases titled Embezi and Money Talks are more he’s voice coming to life again. The artist explained that his older music was influenced by the environment around him and his desire to fit in.
“The songs I used to make back in the day were deriving from the ambiance I kept around me, I was not daring to be different.”he saidThe “Nakatope” hit-maker says his music reflects his real-life experiences.
On Embezi, he speaks about his personal relationship with his father and issues surrounding the boy child with deep undertones of childhood trauma . On Money Talks, he reflects on making mistakes and accepting that failure is part of growth. “Sometimes I fall and I make mistakes… but that’s part of being human,” he said, adding that the music he is creating now is more personal than ever before.
Over the years, Don Kamati has built a strong reputation for collaboration. He has worked with a wide range of local artists and says this comes naturally to him because of his personality. “I’m a very open artist. I’m not a difficult artist to start a conversation with. I believes no artist is too big to work with emerging talent. And some collaborations with established artists happened purely out of mutual respect and creative energy,” he said.Although he did not give an exact number, he admitted he has done “a lot” of collaborations, including several that have not yet been released. He strongly believes that his willingness to work with others has played a major role in his career growth, including recognition at major award platforms like the NAMAS and Afrimma. One of the collaborations that challenged him the most was “Pretty Young Thing”, with Dj Castro and Dj KBoz, where he felt pressure to prove himself as a storyteller.
He said he wanted to show that there was more beyond the dreads and looks and described the experience as creatively demanding but rewarding.Beyond music, Don Kamati has also been outspoken about issues affecting artists in Namibia. He describes himself as a music and creative activist and has raised concerns about how musicians are compensated. “We cannot be getting paid the rates of 1995 while we are in 2026 now,” he said, arguing that royalty systems and arts policies need urgent review and improvement.In addition to his music career, he is also a radio personality at Focus FM.
He said working in radio has changed how he understands the industry, especially when it comes to what gets played on air versus what people actually listen to in their communities. According to him, being behind the scenes in media has given him a broader perspective on how the system works.Balancing both careers is not easy, but he says he approaches it with professionalism. He was a radio presenter before becoming a musician and makes sure to give both roles equal attention, noting that his media work helps support his music financially.
Looking ahead, Don Kamati is currently working on a new album titled The Indica, which follows his earlier project Sativa. The upcoming album will feature 10 songs, and he has also teased new collaborations, including one with Uncle Bomba. He is planning to continue his collaboration tour in selected towns, expanding beyond music to include other creative fields such as fashion.With new music on the way and a clear vision for both his art and the industry, Don Kamati appears focused on growth, and building a stronger creative space for himself in rh spirit of collaboration . unwrap.online
