By Jeoffrey Mukubi
Rapper, Nga-I, has publicly stated that he has been depressed for as long as he can remember. He mentioned this on his social media pages saying that so much has happened that he cannot list the actual cause of his depression.
“I have just been living with it. I’ve turned to substances in desperate hope of escape but it has only made the situation worse. My financial situation is in shambles and it has affected me horribly. I have not been fit for relationships, be it platonic or romantic,” Nga-I wrote.
He also mentioned that he is currently going through a break-up and that he has lost many friends because of his substance abuse.
“I write this because all I have left is my music and talent, as well as dreams of what I want my life to be like. I am not writing this post as a cry for help, but simply as acceptance for something I’ve been running away from my whole life,” he wrote.
His management team released a press release over the weekend confirming that Nga-I’s latest single titled ‘Hosea Kutako’ which features South African native Lolli Native, is being delayed due to his current mental state.
“We feel that it is in the best interest of our artist’s mental health to postpone the release of the single as it applies pressure to promote the single in form of interviews,” the statement read.
Creatives are going through the most! Many are forced to take care of their mental health under the difficult circumstances currently being faced by the industry, which is characterised by cancelled gigs due to Covid-19 and fewer opportunities to earn much-needed income.
The Namibian Society of Composer and Authors of Music (Nascam) is often inundated with calls from desperate artists.
unWrap.online sat down with the key industry player, ahead of World Mental Health Day, celebrated on Sunday, 10 October, to hear how artists are dealing with mental health challenges.
Nascam CEO John Max says there’s an urgent need for government and various arts entities to join hands to address the plight of artists who are struggling under financial and mental health pressures.
“I have received many calls from people who want to know if there is anything that can help or assist them during these hard times. It has become really difficult for our members, especially those in music,” he says.
Max adds that they have tried to work on interventions and have reached out to the arts ministry to assist artists.
“We need a structured funding system for the arts. These things of only wanting to make use of artists when the need of institutions or government come forth, must be well managed. Government, Nascam and art associations must come together.”
In recent months, more and more artists have taken breaks from the studio, despite facing financial difficulties.
