Renthia Kaimbi
The price of addiction, award-winning Namibian hip-hop artist Jericho Gawanab says, goes beyond money.
He says it is seen in possessions sold, dignity lost and long hours spent chasing the next fix.
In an open account shared with the Windhoek Observer, Jericho spoke about his struggle with drugs and alcohol and how it nearly destroyed his career.
He said his addiction turned hard-earned success into near ruin.
Jericho recalled selling his first professional music studio, bought for N$45 000 using his Namibian Music Awards (Namas) winnings, for just N$7 000 to buy drugs. The money, he said, was gone “in less than two hours.” He also sold his PlayStation and laptop, one by one, to feed his addiction.
The only item left from his 2011 “Artist of the Year” win is a television. He pawned it, and his mother later retrieved it from a dealer. Jericho then bought it back from her, describing the cycle as one of shame and survival.
“I really don’t want to tell what I’ve achieved so far,” Jericho said, choosing to focus on where he came from.
He said his addiction went as far as acting as a “tester” for drug dealers, sampling newly made crack cocaine to check its strength.
“The paranoia that follows me still in these days of my soberness is ridiculous,” he said. He spoke about lingering cravings, sleepless nights and memories of “turning into a zombie”.
Jericho stated that a near-death overdose served as his turning point. He admitted that he relapsed twice but said he never gave up on himself.
He said recovery required more than rehabilitation. It needed a change in the environment and accountability.
“A lot of people think going to rehab is the solution to the problem,” Jericho said.
“The problem is coming home into the same environment, surrounded by the same junky friends, dealers and boredom.”
He said people must “tackle the roots of the problem” and added that “if you are deep in it already”, the first step is admitting addiction.
He is now approaching four years of sobriety, and Jericho said his life has stabilised. He is working on a new album, expected towards the end of April.
“Today I got my studio back, and I am busy recording my new album in my own space,” he said.
He has released four singles from the untitled album, including Always and Just Clap, and confirmed that 14 tracks have already been recorded.
“All four singles have no features just to showcase that I don’t have a hit hold on the next artist but that I still steer my ship myself,” he said.
The rest of the album will feature DJ Spuzza, Dixon, Yeezir, Jaliza, DikBones and MissBae.
“It’s been a long road, but today I am testimony that once you put your addiction aside and get your clear conscious mind back, you get everything and even more than what you asked for back,” Jericho said.
He said he plans to continue sharing his story in the hope that it will inspire others.
“I did it, and I am still doing it, so can you. Let’s start the year with that in mind. Everything is just temporary. We lose some, we win some. Most importantly, a peaceful mind is the importance of sobriety,” he said.
