Photo Credits:
RV Babe
RV Babé is a result of five years of adventurous, experimental studio hours and brain-storm sessions. In 2000 Luis Maruwasa started one of Namibia's major hip-hop establishments, Tha Syndicate. The fundamental ideology that brought Tha Syndicate into being was that Tha Syndicate was principally to be a custodian of a near helpless juvenile hip-hop culture amidst a prejudiced and unwelcoming nation which could not allow it to flourish like other kinds of "acceptable" music styles. Hence Tha Syndicate's only aim was to nurture and nourish such a "being."
The world over, hip-hop has not seen a revolution since '93 or so, but Namibian hip-hop has possibly experienced many revolutions in itself. Aided by only an arsenal of skilled MCs, Luis managed to set Tha Syndicate to sail into a horizon of what seemed to be the future of hip-hop in Namibia. Tha Syndicate ceased to exist but its great ideologies did not, they were only left out in the cold. Those ideologies found refuge in the minds of Stalin and Mwanji, a.k.a Stealth, co-founding members of Tha Syndicate. Stalin and Stealth jointly started Red Square Productions in 2001. Red Square Productions in its entirety was Tha Syndicate's successor.
As part of Red Square's mission Stalin and Stealth conceived what would later be one of Namibia's most respected underground hip-hop outfits, Tha Red Vandalz [RV]. Tha Red Vandalz single-handedly produced several underground mix tapes which were aired on several radio stations and internet portals. In actual essence Tha Red Vandalz's Red Alert, a hip-hop classic in its own right, was bootlegged and is still out on the Internet.
In addition, Tha Red Vandalz did not only rise to the occasion but started looking into producing other acts. At that fateful moment, Red Square signed two of the best female R&B singers, Rachel and Tequila. Both Rachel and Tequila went on to reach milestones for a better Red Square, RV INC, which was more organized and more business-minded and that set the road to a strong and more self-sufficient RV INC and hip-hop in general.
In the same vein, Rachel later help scoop-up music awards for her ace production with Ms. T, Stalin and Stealth. During 2003, RV INC's artist base was enriched with the signing of Don Gabrio, Snazzy, Crazy, Christi, Crazy and The Exception. Like Rachel and Tequila this group of artists, contributed significantly to the scene. Snazzy and Christi (as part of Xplode) were nominated for a Sanlam Namibia Music Award for Best R&B/Hip-hop Female Vocalist. In this entrepreneurial spirit, RV Babé Vol.1, was conceptualized, born, nurtured and is now in its maturation stages. This is a milestone for both Namibian Music and world music in general.
The timing of this classic LP may not have come at a better time. We exist in a time and space where creativity in creating real music the world over has practically hit a 911 state. Music lovers, hobbyist and critics alike have been yearning for a far-reaching musical tone with an accentual tonal mode; simply put, a different direction in music which opens up new fountains, oases of inspiration (a rebirth). RV Babé Vol. 1reaches in even further than might have been expected or anticipated by music fanatics and critics alike. RV Babé Vol. 1 may not in itself be revolutionary, but rather a renewal of music, a new beginning. Ultimately, RV Babé Vol. 1 is crafted to paint a picturesque mosaic with refreshing tonal colors of sound that everyone can relate to despite their origin, ethnicity, creed or color.
— Courtesy Calabash Music