All things music and Nashawn
This week, popular radio presenter shares his story about how his love for local music got him his latest job - hosting the Yo! Music Countdown.
Nashawn Marenga is indeed the true definition of 'a jack of all trades'. He has been in the media from as early as he could remember and despite opportunities to leave the industry, he says it is his true love and doesn't see himself anywhere else. Marenga is an artist, radio presenter, actor and to add on another title, a TV host.
He recalls how he came onto the radio and acting world, saying he would go as moral support for a friend and he would end up getting the part. In 2005, 14-year-old Marenga hosted a children's show on NBC called Frenzy Special and from there on, he knew that being in the media was his destiny. The art enthusiast is a Unam Media Studies graduate with a major in public relations.
“I used to watch TV and listen to Ryan Seacrest growing up and he is one of the major reasons I am in the media world today. I did the kiddies show for the thrill of it. At that age I didn't understand the impact of it until I was grown,” he said.
Marenga says listening to the radio while growing up made his love for it stronger. He says a programmee on NBC's national radio called Young and Cool was amongst his favourites and he would look forward to it every day. When he was in grade 11, he was determined to be in the media world. His top two goals upon getting to Unam were to join the campus radio and the choir - which he did. In 2014 he was nominated as Best Radio Presenter which he believes opened doors for him.
“I finished my degree and I had no job anymore as one can only host the campus radio shows if you are a student. For months I applied to many local stations but they didn't call me back and I stopped.
I then got a call from Radio Energy asking me if I wanted to work and the rest is history,” he says.
In 2015 he started hosting the local hip-hop and RNB top ten show and five months later he was giving his own show called the Urban Drive which he hosts to today.
Marenga, during his stay also hosted the Breakfast Show which he loved. He says the good thing about the morning show is one having the ability to have the energy to wake people up which not everyone can do.
“Morning shows require a lot of discipline, from always being informed, to the ability to wake up so early and being at work on time, and also having the right amount of positive energy to pass it on to the listeners. Nobody wants to listen to someone that is sleepy,” Marenga said.
As of this month, Marenga will be officially hosting the Yo Music Video Countdown show that will air on One Africa TV. The show is about reviewing the latest local music videos live. The weekly show that airs on Saturdays also allows the viewers to engage by giving them a platform to vote for their favourite videos.
“The entertainment industry is not so easy to work in. There is a lot of truth in the statement 'it's all about the people you know' when it comes to getting gigs. I'm really grateful for the opportunity that I got because I deserve it, and I will work as hard as possible. I'm excited about this because now my fans can see the face behind the voice,” Marenga jokes.
Having been in the music industry for seven years now as a critic, Marenga believes the local music industry has improved greatly. He says the artists have what it takes to build an international identity but that still needs to be worked on.
“One should be able to know that a song is Namibian but we don't have an identity yet, that distinct sound that when you hear it, you immediately know that it's Namibian. The quality of music videos is there but we still lack great story concepts,” he said.
Asked if the old-school media still has the power to motivate and inspire today's youth to join the media stream as it did for him, he says remains hopeful. He says the older generations are the ones that listen to radio but they have the power to influence the youth. He urges the youth to look into the media as a career and give it a chance.
“Today's youth have it so good that they even have the radios on their phones compared to us back then. Radio is powerful tool but only if you use it wisely. The parents have to instil the values and culture of reading and listening to educational programmes on air in the children. There are many opportunities that can come from just listening,” he concluded.
June Shimuoshili
He recalls how he came onto the radio and acting world, saying he would go as moral support for a friend and he would end up getting the part. In 2005, 14-year-old Marenga hosted a children's show on NBC called Frenzy Special and from there on, he knew that being in the media was his destiny. The art enthusiast is a Unam Media Studies graduate with a major in public relations.
“I used to watch TV and listen to Ryan Seacrest growing up and he is one of the major reasons I am in the media world today. I did the kiddies show for the thrill of it. At that age I didn't understand the impact of it until I was grown,” he said.
Marenga says listening to the radio while growing up made his love for it stronger. He says a programmee on NBC's national radio called Young and Cool was amongst his favourites and he would look forward to it every day. When he was in grade 11, he was determined to be in the media world. His top two goals upon getting to Unam were to join the campus radio and the choir - which he did. In 2014 he was nominated as Best Radio Presenter which he believes opened doors for him.
“I finished my degree and I had no job anymore as one can only host the campus radio shows if you are a student. For months I applied to many local stations but they didn't call me back and I stopped.
I then got a call from Radio Energy asking me if I wanted to work and the rest is history,” he says.
In 2015 he started hosting the local hip-hop and RNB top ten show and five months later he was giving his own show called the Urban Drive which he hosts to today.
Marenga, during his stay also hosted the Breakfast Show which he loved. He says the good thing about the morning show is one having the ability to have the energy to wake people up which not everyone can do.
“Morning shows require a lot of discipline, from always being informed, to the ability to wake up so early and being at work on time, and also having the right amount of positive energy to pass it on to the listeners. Nobody wants to listen to someone that is sleepy,” Marenga said.
As of this month, Marenga will be officially hosting the Yo Music Video Countdown show that will air on One Africa TV. The show is about reviewing the latest local music videos live. The weekly show that airs on Saturdays also allows the viewers to engage by giving them a platform to vote for their favourite videos.
“The entertainment industry is not so easy to work in. There is a lot of truth in the statement 'it's all about the people you know' when it comes to getting gigs. I'm really grateful for the opportunity that I got because I deserve it, and I will work as hard as possible. I'm excited about this because now my fans can see the face behind the voice,” Marenga jokes.
Having been in the music industry for seven years now as a critic, Marenga believes the local music industry has improved greatly. He says the artists have what it takes to build an international identity but that still needs to be worked on.
“One should be able to know that a song is Namibian but we don't have an identity yet, that distinct sound that when you hear it, you immediately know that it's Namibian. The quality of music videos is there but we still lack great story concepts,” he said.
Asked if the old-school media still has the power to motivate and inspire today's youth to join the media stream as it did for him, he says remains hopeful. He says the older generations are the ones that listen to radio but they have the power to influence the youth. He urges the youth to look into the media as a career and give it a chance.
“Today's youth have it so good that they even have the radios on their phones compared to us back then. Radio is powerful tool but only if you use it wisely. The parents have to instil the values and culture of reading and listening to educational programmes on air in the children. There are many opportunities that can come from just listening,” he concluded.
June Shimuoshili
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