Big Ben Kandukira

Big Ben Kandukira
Background information
Birth name	Venaune Kandukira
Born	(1978-12-12) 12 December 1978 Omutiuanduko, Erongo Region, South West Africa
Occupation(s)	Singer, songwriter, performing artist
Instruments	Guitar
Years active	2001–present
Website	www.okinikini.com

Big Ben Kandukira, (born Venaune Ben Kandukira) is a Namibian performing and recording artist.

After the release of his first album in 2001, Kandukira's work focused on Afro pop, Afrobeat, and fusion genres with a strong presence of tribal rhythms, melodies and local languages. Apart from securing himself a notable place in major musical events and festivals in Namibia, Kandukira has also performed in Europe.

Kandukira's music has been described to be a true Namibian sound and has been hailed as Namibia's top live music performer with a constant stage presence. Kandukira has released six albums to date and one collection of old and previously unreleased songs.

Early life

Kandukira was born on 12 December 1978, in Omutiuanduko, a village in the Erongo Region of Namibia. From the age of eight, Kandukira learned to play a traditional four-string guitar, which he had received from a San man who worked at their homestead. He was introduced to a modern six-string guitar at the music department of the Secondary School Swakopmund at Swakopmund in the Erongo Region.

The first of eight siblings, Kandukira has been the breadwinner for his family since the age of eighteen. In 1997, he moved to the capital city, Windhoek, to pursue a musical career. He joined the Bricks Community Theatre project, a community theatre group in Windhoek. During this time he played the keyboard for a disco band called Splendid while working on his own music.

Career

Don't Bother is Kandukira's first release and was recorded at the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation's studio. The album consisted of songs in both Otjiherero, his native tongue, and English. Kandukira became more notable following the release of his second album, Moro Moro, in 2008, with his first hit song, "Moro Moro". Two other tracks on the album were included on the compilation album Africa Meets Hip Hop, Pop and Contemporary.

Kandukira's song "Social Avenue" (from his 2011 album of the same name) won for Best Jazz/Instrumental at the Namibian Annual Music Awards (NAMA). The album also contains the hit "Number 6 In The Jukebox" which has received considerable airplay in Namibia and online.

In 2014, Kandukira released First Collection, a collection of songs from his first six albums plus four new songs.

Back to the Basics, released in 2015, earned Kandukira four nominations and two awards at the 2016 NAMA, including Male Artist of the Year. The track "Ovombo", a direct interpretation of Omuhiva (the traditional style of music of the Ovaherero), won in the Best Traditional category. The album was first launched in Manchester, UK, in September 2015, before being released in Namibia later the same year.

Discography

• Don't Bother (2001)
• Big Ben (2003)
• Untitled (2005)
• Moro Moro (2008)
• Social Avenue (2011)
• First Collection (2014)
• Back to the Basics (2015)

Achievements

Competitions

• 2007: Best Live Performer of the Year at the /Ae //Gams Arts and Cultural Festival
• 2013: Second Place, Last Band Standing Competition

Awards

The following is a list of the awards that Kandukira has received:

• 2013: NAMA Best Jazz/Instrumental – "Social Avenue" from the Album Social Avenue
• 2015: Best Song with a Message – "Africa Penduka", a single later included on the album Back to the Basics
• 2016: NAMA Best Traditional for "Ovombo" and Best Male Artist of the Year