By Risco Lumamezi
A 29-YEAR Hip-hop musician with the mind of his own, have openly declared his life as a challenge since he was born.
Daniel Milomo Matengu commonly known as Cool style was born on 22 December 1978 came the eighth (8) in the family of eleven.
With his life which is seemingly to be a gradual lesson in his lifespan told Caprivi Vision that starting when he was a toddler, up to now he don’t know his father.
He was brought to life at Chefuzwe Village in Katima Mulilo, in the hat of his mother Maureen Mabita who passed away four years ago.
“My mother inspired me and she bought for me a keyboard in 1996 and I started Writing my own songs in 1997” said Matengu.
His ambition in music started when he was still a little boy who was singing in the church choir, He grew up in a family that worships the Lord. Late pastor Tembwe blessed him and was anointed as a church evangelist in his congregation in Katima Mulilo. All of these he says were due to the power of God he entrusted.
From 1986 to 1992 his church music inspired him much that he could leave his brethren in Katima for his secondary school to Rundu.
Before his mother died, he opted to stay with her in Grootfontein during the year 1996 to complete his Grade 12.
“I bought a CD of Tupac Sharku titled all eyes on me and I copied his lyrics to sing like him.” said Matengu.
His chance of being a real musician improved to an extent that he could sing and dance in front of his audience.
“My school mate named me cool style because I was cool at school”
Matengu’s enthusiasm gave him much courage when he joined an experienced artist Mr. Robert Matemwa in Rundu with his song praising Rundu Chiefs.
“We toured all towns of Namibia together” he said, Matengu was lucky that his application for admission to Rundu College of Education was successful while he was performing shows.
In 1999 he started his first year diploma in teaching as his music inspired on, that he formed-up his own band and he qualified for the NBC music markers competition in the same year.
He was competing with his fellow musicians like Dore and Matongo Family in the category of best Hip-hop as the award was scooped by Matongo family.
After his graduation in 2001 at Rundu College of Education he worked as a teacher while performing many music shows in Rundu until 2002 when he received his first package,
“I took my demo tape to Tendai Ngwerume studio in Windhoek who recorded my first single album titled ‘Show me’ which recorded four songs.” He stressed.
However, Matengu’s life became tough when he released his new album again.
“I had problems at work, such as jealous and tribalism some of my workmates were pushing me to leave my profession and they reported me that I raped a school girl and I was suspended without any salary” He said.
He said, his achievement in music started growing as he faced many tribulations.
“I was good with the learners in our school, they made a story that one girl (my cousin) that came to visit at my house, slept with me while I was living with my wife.”
He was arrested for eleven days and granted a bail of N$ 3000 in 2003,his lawyer probed his case then he was released. He then decided to go to Windhoek where he signed a contract with Solid production in 2004 and he produced an album called “Untouchable Niggers.” After his bail application, he was suspended from work without a salary in November 2003.
“I felt frustrated and I knew it was like a war, so I was claiming to be untouchable because I knew for sure that God was with me since I was not having a parent and only God was my parent as the bible say do not take the advantage of ophans”he added.
He started a performing tour in 2004 with famous musicians like Dore, Gazza, Shikololo, and The Dog, their trip started in Windhoek, Swakopmund, northern regions and ended in Katima.
After his tour, he was called by the Rundu magistrate court and the state withdrew his case because there was no evidence.
“I claimed my pension and bought musical equipment”
The expelled teacher Matengu produced an album for a new artist Obar Makiti.
Coolstyle released his debut album called MUSALA’KA.
“I was giving praise to my wife and this song features any man who can give his heart to any woman he love most”
In his new album there’s also a song titled “BOME”meaning my mother which reflects his suffering since the death of his mother. Another song is called LINDIALA (orphans) that gives massage to the community about how they should treat their Orphans. “I don’t want others to be the way I was treated”
Cool style could not forget his career in teaching though it has tarnished his personal life, he decided to further his studies again at the University of Namibia where he is studying a Bachelor degree in Education.
“I’m a teacher for life just from church” His future in music, is to expand his production in Katima Mulilo and sell many copies.
He is surviving with his wife Natasha a beautiful woman from Kavango and his two sons, a two year old and a ten-year grade 5 boy staying with his mother in the north.
“My former work mates in Rundu, say Caprivians should not be there, most of them are losing their jobs. I’m lucky because I was a hard worker”
Coolstyle enjoys food like thick porridge (BUHOBE), fish, vegetables, Salads, chicken and spaghetti. He likes drink such as Mirinda and Coke. Cool style devotes his time in sports activities such as bodybuilding and basket ball. “I like lifting irons when I’m not busy”
He entertains himself by acting and performing on stage and when he is free he likes watching action movie
He however, played as an actor in the movie where others wavered which was produced locally in 2005.
“I played as Nathaniel Mbaheva in the movie, one of the closest to Sam Nuyoma during the campaigns in old location” he likes going to church during weekends. His CDs are sold at N$120, 00 per copy.
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