Lazarus Ndeshimona Shiimi known as "Gazza" was born on 10 March 1977, in Oshakati, Namibia. Gazza is a musician, producer, song writer and Ambassador of Education and FNB Namibia Youth Products,Team Namibia,road and MVA road safety. The soccer skills he displayed in his early youth earned him the nickname Gazza in reference to his similar style to the famous English soccer player Paul Gascoigne, "Gazza". Gazza's interest in music was sparked by his involvement in bands and choirs at an early age in primary school high school and vasity.
BECOMING A MAN
"Coming from a family of eight and being brought up by a single mother will turn any boy into man. I have learned responsibility from a very young age and that together with my talent are the tools I'm going to use to become a leader and role model to the youth world-wide".
BECOMING GAZZA
As Gazza continued to explore the various musical genres, another of his creative talents began unveiling itself. With crafty words, rested in the pavements and stoeps of township life, Gazza methodically brings to life the stories of the streets by painting real life images with his words and tying those stories to the unseen hope and fulfilled dreams for all to see. With each song, his musical style progressed as he combined his talented lyricism with old and new beats.
THE RISING GHETTO STAR
Having sold over 26 000 units to date, and 6 000 on his latest release Cosa Nostra which is sold out, Gazza has worked his way up into becoming the most commercially successful Namibian Artist. Of late, Gazza has been building his African and International repertoire with tours and sell out performances at major stadiums. Gazza's musical genius, persona and electrifying performances have made him a firm favorite with African music video house Channel O, where his work and life are regularly showcased.
THE MUSICAL JOURNEY
His first two albums were released in 2004, "Tanauka" (Turn Around) and "Zula 2 Survive" (Struggle to survive) and both attained tremendous success for Gazza, bringing him into the hearts and homes of Namibians alike. His third album 'Stof-lap-Chikapute' came out in 2005 and according to Gazza, "Stof-Lap" is a symbol of new beginnings and "Chikapute" is a colloquial or street term referring to those who have nothing, so the title 'Stof Lap Chikapute' defines a nobody starting from nothing.
His 2007 album '467 GMP Till I Die', Namibia's first double CD album, is considered to be one of the best albums Namibia has ever produced. The album topped the Namibian music charts for 26 weeks and that record still stands today. The hit single, Mokasie, has been a sensation in Namibia as the number one single for 23 weeks in Universal Sounds.
Gazza has embarked on tours that have exposed him to the rest of Africa and the world. His work has been well received and he is also a firm favourite with Channel O, a DSTV channel, where his work and life is a regular showcase. Gazza is one of the best and most well-respected artists in Namibia because of this. The cherry on the cake is that Gazza has produced and written all his hit songs – the mark of a true artist.
2004: Tanauka
2004: Zula II Survive
2005: Stof-Lap Chikapute
2007: 467/GMP Till I Die
2010: Cosa Nostra – La famiglia
THE AMBASSADOR
Besides being a master lyricist and performer, Gazza takes his influence to another level and amongst others serves as the Goodwill Ambassador of Education sanctioned by the Ministry of Education as well as an Ambassador for Team Namibia.
FNB YOUTH PRODUCT AMBASSADOR: FNB Namibia has approached Gazza in his capacity as an artist to use his status as a much beloved, respected and award winning artist to promote their newly launched youth products, namely, Future Forward & Future Save. To date Gazza has travelled to over 30 schools promoting the youth products to youth around Namibia.
MOE "EDUCATION" AMBASSADOR: We believe in the backbone of education being the discipline that leads to success and making ones dreams come true and Gazza is a perfect example of that. He currently serves as the Ministry of Namibia's Education Ambassador and undertakes goodwill initiatives to promote education as a key to the future for young people in Namibia.
TEAM NAMIBIA AMBASSADOR: I believe in order for a country to prosper it should have a sound economic background. By being part of Team Namibia and creating awareness about it, I feel it contributes to that. Last year I travelled to five regions and completed 60 schools. This year the target is 70-80 schools. The concept is simple, you strengthen the economy by buying Namibian products. By so doing you create demand and with that an increment in the chain of production which results in more employment.
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