The Global Media Site for Entertainment.
Menu
Msoke and I met many years ago when he was still known as Namusoke and had just begun making a name for himself as a musician in Switzerland. Never giving up on his dreams, Msoke evolved ever more over the years, as a man, a person, and as the great musician he is today.
It was towards the end of the Nineties, when Namusoke and I both worked at a multiplex movie theatre in Zurich, Switzerland.
I was the team manager at the time and Namusoke was part of my staff. She supported herself with working at the cinema until she could hopefully one day become a full-time musician.
Namusoke was born in Switzerland yet came from Tanzanian roots. She was delightful to be around. A force of pure positive energy to be reckoned with.
Namusoke’s band played all over Switzerland in small venues and was sort of a secret tip. Our entire team was rooting for her. I also went to as many of her concerts as I could.
Then, one day, she approached me and asked if we could meet in private. We ended up spending an evening on my balcony where Namusoke explained to me she had just found out that I was transgender, and that she was greatly inspired by my life story.
Then she asked, “In fact, I need your advice because I feel I am the same as you. I am presently in the wrong body. I am really a man. What can I do? How does it all work?”
She, or rather he, bombarded me with questions about my own transition. I was as open and supportive as I could be in giving information and advice.
Sure, there was going to be a sort of second puberty vocal change. But, I assured him, “There is every chance in the world that afterwards, even though your voice will be different and deeper, you’ll still be a great singer.”
After that it took a while for Namusoke to ponder what he should do…
In the end, he could only do what all of us who are trapped in the wrong body need to do if we want to give ourselves a chance to be happy, be ourselves: He committed to undergoing his own transition.
In the music scene, which was far less open to a transgender man than you might assume, Namusoke became Msoke and forged his way through a maze of challenges and adversity.
As his website states, he is one who not only dreams of courage and self-realization, but makes it come true. And for that, I am forever proud of my old friend and colleague.
From first only being known in Switzerland he gradually came to be known all over Europe.
Here are only a couple of milestone examples of his career thus far.
More info you can find on the About page of his website.
The four tracks of the Survive EP were released, all written by Msoke. The EP was recorded in Hamburg and Zurich. The outstanding remix of the title track Survive came from nobody less than the Wighnomy Brothers.
Msoke releases his long-awaited debut studio album in full length. This time, he can win over the producer of The Sea from London, who is known for producing the best of British Hip Hop. The sophisticated album, with influences from Ragga / Reggae, Afro, Hip Hop to Soul, is ground-breaking in the field of urban music.
Amen is the first song on Msoke’s new album Don’t Try Me, which was released in December 2009. In contrast to the old album, Msoke’s new work seems more mature, varied, profound and at the same time playful.
Msoke rewrites Reggae history with the bold and beautiful new album Facettes. He is able to combine highly political content with an uplifting, fun and refined sound.
Msoke, “The First Transgender on the Dancehall Agenda”, presents us with his new acoustic track Connextion.
The Single EP was released on 01.05.2020 and is the result of the first studio collaboration with the Berlin producer Ceejay Joaquín, who has been part of the Msoke live show as a drummer for five years.
Only with guitar and vocals, the relaxed Swiss with Tanzanian roots creates a powerful and sensitive song out of the everyday stress of his fellow men. And his own personal struggles and challenges. With a wonderfully positive and catchy hook.
I dare say, it’s great. Msoke has a lot of soul.
And, check out Msoke’s YouTube channel for more music videos…
Last but not least, here is his official website.
Storytelling Can Change Lives – Musings of a Transgender Man
The Covid Odyssey of a Stage Manager – Part 1
Liam Klenk was born in Central Europe and has since lived on four continents. Liam has always been engaged in creative pursuits, ranging from photography and graphic design, to writing short stories and poetry, to working in theatre and shows. In 2016, Liam published his first book and memoir, 'Paralian'.
Read Full Profile
© 2021 TheatreArtLife. All rights reserved.
Thank you so much for reading, but you have now reached your free article limit for this month.
Our contributors are currently writing more articles for you to enjoy.
To keep reading, all you have to do is become a subscriber and then you can read unlimited articles anytime.
Your investment will help us continue to ignite connections across the globe in live entertainment and build this community for industry professionals.
