Koek n Jam
| Qonja | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Tukonjela nee Haihambo Ngodji |
| Also known as | Konz-lela, Mdakadaka, Emwangha |
| Born |
January 30, 1984 Bucharest, Romania |
| Origin | Khomasdal, Windhoek, Namibia |
| Genres | kwaito, hip hop, gospel, Christian music |
| Occupation(s) | musician, entrepreneur |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Labels | Lowkey Records, |
| Associated acts | Fredro, BlackSheep Sunny Boy, The Dogg, Mshasho |
Tukonjela Haiyambo Ngodji (born January 30, 1984), better known by his stage name as Qonja is a Namibian kwaito star and rapper. He rose to fame following his hit songs 54321 and Koek n Jam which he recorded with his friend Mappz. His work has been admired and praised by Namibia's top kwaito artists such as The Dogg, Gazza and Sunny Boy. His work has also inspired Exit & Mushe and other upcoming musicians. Qonja owns his own record label called Lowkey Records.
Qonja converted to Christianity in 2009.
Qonja was born in Romania, Bucharest where his mother and father were studying during the liberation struggle. When he was four years old he went to stay with his father in Luanda, Angola. His family returned to Namibia in 1990 when the country gained independence. Ngodji lived all of his life in Khomasdal with his father, while his mother stayed in Tsumeb. Ngodji schooled at "Gammams Primary" and "Dawid Bezaidenhout Secondary Schools" before enrolling at the Windhoek Vocational Training Center for an Electrical Engineering Fair. After graduating in 2006, he decided to work for his father by managing his construction company.
Qonja started his career as an aspiring rapper with his neighbor Mappz. Mappz introduced Qonja to Fredro (a guy who used to make beats on his computer). Fredro then promised to produce for them, and the three formed a team. Qonja recorded 54321 with Mappz in mid-2005 as a duo with production from Fredro (songs were credited as Mappz & Qonja). Following the success of the song, the duo recorded what will become Qonja's break through single Koek n Jam in early 2006. The song became a very big hit helping Qonja establish his record label Lowkey Records. Mappz showed little interest in recording music because of studies, so Qonja went solo (songs they recorded together were credited as Qonja featuring Mappz). Qonja took it from there and completed his solo effort titled after the big hit Koek n Jam. The successful album was released in December 2006. The album earned Qonja a nomination at the Sanlam-NBC Music Awards for "best kwaito".
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