The Dogg
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| The Dogg | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Morocky Martine |
| Also known as | The Kwiato Master, Mr. Skeleton, TeeDee |
| Born | Maheba, Zambia |
| Origin | Ovamboland, Namibia |
| Genre(s) | Kwaito, Hip-Hop, House |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, Songwriter, Record Producer, Executive Producer |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Label(s) | Mshasho, KOOL Productions |
| Associated acts | Sunny Boy [1], Qonja, Tre Van die Kasie,OmPuff, DJ Kboz |
| Website | MshashoOnline.Com www.koolproductions.cc |
Morocky Martine (born March 21, 1983), known as The Dogg, sometimes The Kwaito Master, Mr. Skeleton, TeeDee or simply as Dogg is a Namibian Kwaito star. He has opened concerts for well known South African artists such as Mzekezeke, Malaika, Mafikizolo, Mandoza, Brown Dash, Brickz and Ishmael. He is considered as one of the pioneers of Namibia’s Kwaito genre.
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[edit] Early life
Morocky began his formal education at Onayena Primary School situated in east Ondangwa, a town in the north of Namibia. Being the youngest of four children, his aspiration as a child was to become a mechanical engineer while music remained to be a dormant passion. In 1997, he came to the capital city of Namibia and began his secondary education at Augustineum Secondary School and after graduating from high school, he chose to study for a Marketing Degree at the University of Namibia. Morocky left Unam after his first year to pursue a career in music.
[edit] Musical career
The Dogg used to perform at school concerts in his high school years. He was but a grade nine learner when he alongside Joe Basson, now Auntie Sosa created the group Amasilkies. Before pursuing a career in music, he was a backup artist, a dancer and he also opened shows for his famous cousin Killa B and well known friend Jossy Joss. The Dogg rose to fame following the release of his hit single Jesus Otati in 2003. He later signed a record deal with RC-Ghetto Records, were he and Gazza became label mates.
From Shimaliw' Osatana to Take Out Yo Gun
In early 2004 RC-Ghetto released Dogg’s debut album Shimaliw' Osatana which became one of Namibia’s best selling albums and most requested on local radio stations. The album was a success earning him awards for artist of the year and best selling artist in 2004 at the Sanlam-NBC Music Awards. After the release of Shimaliw’ Osatana, Dogg began working on his second album entitled, Take Out Yo Gun which sky-rocketed the music charts and maintained a blasting effect on the radio waves with hits such as The Dogg Is Back, My Life and Ngenge Ndasi. Take Out Yo Gun won him the artist of the year award that send him on a trip to France.
Bootleg album and Introducing Tee Dee
In 2005, The Dogg started recording his third album, Mshasho Mos!, which was set to be released in December of the same year. The album was highly pirated and failed a released date. After releasing Sunny Boy’s Young, Black En Gifted in December 2005, The Dogg started recording a new album, Introducing TeeDee, as a replacement for Mshasho Mos!. Introducing TeeDee serve as a remix version of Mshasho Mos! and consisted of songs which were originally recorded for Mshasho Mos!.
2007-You Can't Ignore
The Dogg released his forth album, You Can't Ignore on October 5, 2007. an official CD launch was held at the Unam stadium the same day. The album was to be called Mshasho: You Can’t Ignore, which is his company’s slogan.
[edit] Producer
Beside being a musician The Dogg is also an active music producer. He has produced and appeared on several songs by other famous Namibian artist. In 2005 The Dogg produced half of Sunny Boy's debut album, Young, Black en Gifted. The same year he produced his entire bootleg album, Mshasho Mos!. He has also produced songs on his album Introducing TeeDee and in 2007 he produced all songs on his album You Can't Ignore. The Dogg has produce for artists inside and outside the Mshasho camp such as Sunny Boy, Chipo, Kavax, Kamasutra, OmPuff, Tre Van die Kasie, Nasti and Faizel MC. I’ve tried a few different things, like mixing some house and rave beats with traditional kwaito beats. I’m working on establishing my own unique blend of music says The Dogg in a interview with MTC.Com, October, 2007.
[edit] Mshasho
see Mshasho Productions
Apart from being a musician The Dogg has establish himself as a minor entrepreneur. The Dogg is the rightful owner to the Mshasho trademark. Mshasho is a company comprising a record label and a clothing line. The company is also looking into various business ventures outside music and fashion. He owns a car wash that is oparating in Katutura, called TeeDee Car Wash.
[edit] The Dogg vs Gazza
Until 2005 The Dogg and Gazza remain the two main Kwaito heavy weight artists in Namibia. On his hit track Koko Gazza introduced a new artist, Sunny Boy, who he planned to sign to his G.M.P. label. The feud between Dogg and Gazza began when new comer Sunny Boy signed a record deal with The Dogg's Mshasho Records. In March 2008 The Dogg and Gazza were brought together by their managers to reconcile their differences. This was arranged by the managers to stop the violance that was behind the two crews in the streets all over the country. This arrangement failed when the two artist disaggree to share a stage during the MAD show organised to raise funds for the North flood victims.
[edit] Alias
- Mr. Skeleton: Because of his slim and skinny body.
- The Kwaito Master: After winning both 2003 and 2004 best Kwaito song awards at the Sanlam-NBC Music Awards The Dogg took The Kwaito Master title to distinct his level from other Kwaito artist in the country. He could not take The Kwaito King because Kwaito is not a Namibian phenomenon.
- TeeDee: The initials to his stage name derived from The Dogg.
- Ombwa: Some times The Mbwa. Ombwa is the oshiwambo name for a dog.
- Dog-Lam: He was given the name by Gazza as a twofold to his Gaz-Lam alias when they were close friends.
- Mshasho: The Dogg is also sometime addressed as Mshasho which is the name of his company.
[edit] Trivia
- With the release of Shimaliw' Osatana in 2004, The Dogg became the first Namibian artist to release a full length Kwaito album.
- The Dogg has won the award for artist of the year for three consecutive years (2003, 2004 and 2005) at the Sanlam-NBC Music Awards and claim it back in 2007.
- In 2004, The Dogg participated in the recording of the Swapo party campaign album Omalaeti O'Swapo together with Gazza, Elvo and Pablo.
- The Dogg has mention in many of his interviews that he was inspired by American slain rapper 2Pac, South African Kwaito artist Mandoza, Zola, M'du, Arthur, Brown Dash, Kebelo and super group TKZee. He also mention some of their names on the song Ondahala Okushiva from his album You Can't Ignore.
- The Dogg's role models are Tupac Shakur, former South African president Nelson Mandela, and former Namibian president Sam Nujoma.
- The Dogg is appointed as youth representative to spread the message about the thread of HIV/AIDS in Namibia
- In May 2007, The Dogg scored the first issue of the Shambuka magazine cover page
[edit] Awards
- 2003: Sanalam-NBC Music Awards
Artist Of the Year
Best Kwaito song (Jesus Otati)
- 2004: Sanlam-NBC Music Awards
Artist of the Year
Best Music Video (Perfecto Tromentos)
Best Kwaito song (Perfecto Tromentos)
Best Selling album (Shimaliw' Osatana)
- 2005: Sanlam-NBC Music Awards
Artist of the Year
Best Music Video (The Dogg is Back)
Best Kwaito song (The Dogg is Back)
- 2006: Sanlam-NBC Music Awards
Best Hip Hop song (The Dogg is Here to Stay)
Best Collaboration (Baby Don’t Go)
Best Afro-Pop (Baby Don’t Go)
- 2006: Namibian Music Awards
Best Single (Baby Don’t Go)
Best Collaboration (Baby Don’t Go)
- 2007: Channel-O Spirit of Africa Music Video Awards
Best New comer (Baby Don’t Go)
- 2007 Sanlam-NBC Music Awards
Artist of The Year
Song of the Year (Can U Feel It)
Best Single (Can U Feel It)
[edit] Discography
| Album information |
|---|
Shimaliw' Osatana
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Take Out Yo Gun
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Introducing TeeDee
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You Can't Ignore
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[edit] Other Albums
- 2004: Omalaeti O'Swapo - In participation with Gazza, Elvo and Pablo.
- 2005: Mshasho Mos! - Recorded 2005 failed a released date due to piracy.
[edit] References
- The Dogg's Biography at DoggTD.com
- The Dogg's Awarads at DoggTD.com
- Artist biogrphy Nammusic.Com
- Nammusic.Com interview with The Dogg Nammusic.Com
- Artist news NamibianHipHop.Com
- Channel-O Music Video Award Winners 2007 www.museke.com
- A journey through The Dogg's Musical Career By Zenao from Nammusic.Com Nammusic.Com
- The Dogg interview with shambuka magazine, May 2007Shambukamag.Com
- Home of Namibian stars for updated news
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