Popyeni Yearwood who was affectionately known as Catty Catt will forever be remembered as one of the greatest artists in Namibia’s music industry to get on a mic or perform on a stage.
He inspired many Hip-Hop artists and redefined what it means to be a Hip-Hop artist in Namibia, he influenced a generation of rappers and made a huge impact in the music industry throughout his music career.
Catt paved ways for many different artists and made sure they excelled at whatever they did in the industry. Whether it was a feature, collaboration or a co-sign or even signing artists under his music label, 061 Music Catty Catt always gave back. He gave us hits and was very passionate about growing the local Hip-Hop scene. He also gave us the phrase “Windhoek stand up”. He was a part of the Black Market Crew, one of the groups credit for revolutionising Namibia’s Hip-Hop industry. Catty Catt was way ahead of his time.
Although his life was cut short due to autoimmune disease Lupus in 2014, Catty Catt’s legacy still lives on to this day.
Unwrap.online spoke to a few individuals who knew Catty Catt and this is what most of them had to say about his legacy and who Catt was as a person:
Cheeze Matsoaraelle: “First of all, he was one of my best friends and business partner and I can say he single highhandedly resurrected the local hip hop game by bring the business aspect to it. Saw it as a full time job. Hell he even left his 9 to 5 to do it full time as a professional Hip-hop artist and the results showed. He won Rap Album of the year. 061 clothing brand was a monster etc. So he was not necessarily the best MC we ever gonna see but he sure was the Jay-z of Namibian Hip Hop,”
Jericho Gawanab:
“Catty Cat will forever be part of our music, it will be a misrepresentation of his legacy if I only looked at him as having contributed to Hip-Hop only. Catt did a lot for this industry, not only in his music but also setting a trend and helping a lot of other artists establish themselves. 061 Clothing till today is one of the most recognisable brands and I respect the artists under the label and they continue represent a culture Catty Catt really lived for, that is why he was so important to Hip-Hop in Namibia.”
Mappz Kapofi: “Curtis was so passionate about music that him and I were always free-styling when we met up. I cherished how he always spoke of positive energy, he was a happy guy no matter what he was going through. I will always remember how Catty Catt and his crew changed the face of Namibian Hip-Hop forever by introducing a never ending passion and work ethic towards making music. I will remember how Catty Catt was always a force to be reckoned with, may his legacy live on forever.”
Slammer Jeffrey Haoseb: “Catty Catt brought all people together with his music and so played an important role in the Hip-Hop movement. Even though the message was not based on the Gospel of God (since I am a Christian now). He still had brotherly love for us all. He was more like a brother to me and never rejected anyone. He was a good friend to us all.”
His music label 061 Music also shared a tribute remembering Catty Catt on Facebook.
“Happy birthday to the big homy Big Catt!! On this 10th Anniversary of 061Music, the legacy continues, your music stays eternal, the people you touched still feel it, a true MC!! We love you.” they posted.
