Journalism student rhymes her way to the top

Ndapandula Vanyika

Despite facing institutional censorship and rigid traditional backlash over explicit lyrics, student rapper Hanna Lifo is refusing to compromise on her creative freedom.

The young lyricist and second year journalism student, who performs under the name Carma Bhadie, is quickly making a name for herself in Namibia’s competitive rap scene, transitioning seamlessly from lecture halls to performing on national television.

Lifo urges fellow Namibian artists to prioritise passion over profit as she balances higher education and the local music industry.

Her musical journey began in the eighth grade back in 2015, when she first started penning her own lyrics. At the time, she struggled with self-doubt.

“I didn’t really believe it was good at the time,” Lifo recalls.

However, her perspective shifted after completing high school in 2021. Fellow rappers in her circle recognised her raw talent and sought her help with their own music, providing the validation she needed to take her craft seriously.

“From there, I started writing freestyle songs on instrumentals. My first official song was released in 2023, titled Zaka,” Lifo said.

Inspired by Greatness

Lifo draws her musical inspiration from global rap icon Nicki Minaj, noting that she was instantly drawn to the superstar’s signature confidence and honesty. “I grew up listening to Nicki Minaj’s songs. The first time I heard her song, I was in grade four, which was titled I Am Your Leader,” she said, explaining how she quickly became obsessed with the style and decided to mirror that energy in her own bars.

Her music is not just about entertainment; it is also about impact. Lifo recently released a single centred on female empowerment, inspired by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. She has also successfully expanded her discography through a series of popular freestyle covers.

Despite her rising profile, which includes a performance broadcast on the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) at the Cuban Solidarity concert, Lifo’s journey has been marked by significant roadblocks.

She notes that a lack of industry support and networking opportunities makes it difficult for emerging artists to elevate their art. She also faces strong resistance from conservative societal values.

“This heavily influences public media. Explicit lyrics face backlash and strict censorship, which is clearly no longer giving me freedom of expression,” Lifo stated openly.

Despite the critics and the institutional hurdles, Carma Bhadie remains fiercely committed to her vision. She encourages fellow up-and-coming Namibian lyricists to block out the noise and stay consistent.

“To the rappers, we must do it for the passion and love of music, not just for the sake of doing rap music,” Lifo advises.

“Passion is important because when you do something that you love, you will excel no matter what.” –kulaumonendapandula@gmail.com

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