LEGEND MAC-LEE (Muhali Situmbeko Markley)

Muhali Situmbeko Markley (born 16 September 1996), known by his stage name as Legend Mac-lee (or Mukombwe), is a Namibian musician. Considered a kwaito artist, his debut album, Adapt or Die was released in 2016 to mixed reviews. Legend Mac-lee's music is enjoyed internationally, in countries such as South Africa, Botswana, Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe and worldwide. Legend Mac-lee has performed in Oshana, Zambezi and Khomas so far and he is yet to performance outside the country. He is one of the highest regarded hot prospect in his country in the musical industry. Legend Mac-lee is the owner of theLEGENDARY ENTERTAINMENT & MUSIC PRODUCTION record label.

Early life

Legend Mac-lee began his formal education in 2002 at Sachinga Combined School situated in Sibbinda Constituency, Sachinga Village in the Zambezi Region (Caprivi then), where he has been living since he was born in 1996. Markley is the fourth child of six siblings. His aspiration as a child was to become a medical doctor while music remained a dormant passion. In 2005, he moved to Ondangwa (Oshana Region) where he attended grade 3 to 6 (2005 - 2008) at Akuniihole Primary School before returning to Sachinga Combined School in 2009 where he attended grade 7. In 2010, He went back to Oshana Region where he attended grade 8 - 10 (2010 - 2012) Ambili Combined School, proceeding with his grade 11 and 12 at Okatana Secondary School (Oshana Region) (2013-2014). After graduating from high school, Markley chose to study for Bachelor of Arts: Library and Information Science at the University of Namibia in Windhoek (Main Campus) (2015 - 2016). He left the university after two academic year and went to do a Diploma in Secretarial and Office Administration at the Orbital Dynamic Investment (ODI) in 2017. Upon graduating from ODI, Markley registered for B.Ed. Hons. Upper Primary at the University of Namibia Katima Mulilo Campus in 2018 where he is still schooling up to date.

Rise to Fame

Legend Mac-lee used to perform at school concerts in his high-school years. When he was in grade ten, he and long-time friends Kamati Mateus (DJ Maxido), Thomas David (Daichi), Mateus Otto (Principal aka Thiago) and Late Benlam Blades created a kwaito dancing group called GBV. According to Legend Mac-lee, Late Benlam Blades persuaded/ convinced him to pursue a career in music, that he has got the talent and he did just that. Before pursuing a career in music, he was just a dancer in a dancing group GBV and he also opened shows for various famous artists. He rose to fame following the release of his hit single "Hard To Defeat ft Benlam Blades", a kwaito song produced by King Mex in 2013.

"Hard to Defeat" opened doors for Markley's career. The song was very popular and earned him comparison to two Namibian leading kwaito stars namely Exit of ROCKAZ and King Tee Dee of MSHASHO due to due to the way he sang, and the style he used in his voice. It was and it is understandable because Legend Mac-lee hold King Tee Dee in high regards as he grew up idolizing him. "King Tee Dee, my role model, I loved Fishman's rapping as well so you can here from the way I put up my back up on my flows. Exit and Gazzlam with Jericho, I listened to their songs to as well as oMUnangeSHEfa so do not be surprised if I sound or produce music like these guys especially King Tee Dee and Exit" Said Legend Mac-lee in 2016 at his CD LUNCH in Katima Mulilo at the Ngweze Community Hall. In 2016, he released his very first album titled ADAPT OR DIE, this album propelled him to attract dancers who wanted to join him and become his back up dancers namely Hiskiel Tomas (Tommy WomoTown), TK, Mateus Otto (Principal aka Thiago), Elves Ronny (Darrez Comfo), Stabi Kambo (K-LEE), Lizzo, Muruti (Teacher), Kambo Treyvon and Mwambwa Sizimbo (Zim Dollar). He is the sole founder LEGENDARY ENTERTAINMENT & MUSIC PRODUCTION.

Early career

While struggling to compile his album, Legend Mac-lee met and befriended upcoming artists: Benlam blades and the two artists recorded together with Benlam featuring and Legend Mac-lee the owner of the song (His first song) and with the help of King Mex The Producer, a song titled "Hard To Defeat" (2013) . After the release of Hard to defeat, Legend Mac-lee immediately started working on his debut album, releasing the critical acclaimed hit "Adapt or Die" the following year (2014). Around the same time, Legend Mac-lee was featured by Daichi on his hit "Original Kwaito", which went on to be very popular and loved by many to the extent of calling the artist Mr Original Kwaito. Markley released his debut album "Adapt or Die" in December 2016 under Legendary Entertainment.The album was primarily produced by King Mex, who by then became Legend Mac-lee's mentor. Since his debut album, Legend Mac-lee has released various singles, built a studio and has signed six artists under his wings namely: Morgan aka 2-Signs, Zim Dollar (was his back up dancer), Jaiva, King Lee AKA Mareka Namibia, Ish the Ish Namibia (still back up dancer) and Elbee (Lizzo was his back up dancer). The second album is rumored to be released in 2022. We wait with eagerness what to expect from Legend Mac-lee and his LEGENDARY ENTERTAINMENT CREW in 2022.

Producer Role

Besides being a musician Legend Mac-lee is also an active music producer. He has produced hits for several upcoming Namibian artists. He started producing music in 2018 under the guidance of his two mentors; King Mex and DJ Maxido. He has so far shared production credits with Chief Dox. He is producing and serving as executive producer on almost all albums to released under LEGENDARY ENTERTAINMENT. Additionally he has produced hits for non-Mshasho artists, including Y-Force from Zambia, King Zee from Zambia, Sippy and RK, The Usogo Omtotela, Chief Dox Undavu, just to mention few. "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 Legend Mac-lee in an with Mumba Visto Matali aka DJ Perfect of Nwanyi FM NBC, in December2016. Through his production career he has collaborated with Chief Dox the only producer to have shared production credit with Legend Mac--lee.