David Shikalepo (born 9 April 1989), popularly known by his stage name as Exit, is a Namibian musician. He is considered as a

kwaito Kwaito is a music genre that emerged in Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa, during the 1990s. It is a variant of house music that features the use of African sounds and samples. Kwaito songs occur at a slower tempo range than other styles of h ...

artist. Moreover, he was awarded the best kwaito and male artist of the year at Namibians Annual Music Awards (NAMAs) awards in the year 2018. David Shikalepo was part of the award-winning Kwaito group Exit and Mushe, he has since taken up a solo career. His music is enjoyed internationally, in countries such as South Africa,

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and

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. He is the owner of the Rockaz Productions a record label and the associated Rockaz Clothing. In 2015, David Shikalepo known as Exit, launched his sixth solo album titled 'Black is Boss' at Ongwediva.

Early life and musical career

David Shikalepo was born in Oshakati, Exit grew up in Oshakati, attending school in and around that vicinity from lower primary until he finished his high school career with exceptional grades. In 2007 he moved to

Windhoek Windhoek (, , ) is the capital and largest city of Namibia. It is located in central Namibia in the Khomas Highland plateau area, at around above sea level, almost exactly at the country's geographical centre. The population of Windhoek in 202 ...

to pursue his Media Arts degree at the

University of Namibia The University of Namibia (UNAM) is a multi-campus public research university in Namibia, as well as the largest university in the country. It was established by an act of Parliament on 31 August 1992. Background UNAM comprises the follow ...

where he met Mushe, an experienced, local producer/artist with a studio in

Katutura Katutura (Otjiherero for ''The place where people do not want to live'') is a township of Windhoek, Khomas Region, Namibia. Katutura was created in 1961 following the forced removal of Windhoek's black population from the Old Location, which a ...

. Exit joined Mushe's "2-tight" Hip-Hop crew and they set off to work on some potential classics – Exit and Mushe was born. Exit'n Mushe changed their genre from pure Hip Hop to a fusion of Hip Hop and Kwaito, creating a unique sound that warmed fans the country-over. Their first performance was at the annual Ongwediva Trade Fair in the northern town of

Ongwediva Ongwediva is a town in the Oshana Region in the north of Namibia. It is the district capital of the Ongwediva electoral constituency. it had 27,000 inhabitants and covered 4,102 hectares of land. Ongwediva has seven churches, two private sch ...

. They landed under the management of Blend Productions and within weeks they were in demand, performing at various events, sharing the stage with established artists such as PDK, Gazza, The Dogg, Killa B, Max, D-naff, Gal level, Sunny Boy, Phura just to mention a few. They also wowed the crowds at Max's and PDK's CD launches, both at Bernie's Entertainment Park in Ongwediva. Their combination video for the singles "(Olye ekulonga) Okwiimba"; and "Lets get down to business" are receiving major air-play on Namibia's leading TV stations. Another one of their singles, "Oka-styla" is burning up the hearts of many fans country-wide. David Shikalepo was recently appointed Namibia's Gender-Based Violence ambassador, a role that aims to sensitize man against the prevailing gender-based violence in Namibia, working along with the Monica Gender Violence Solution.

Awards

NAMA AWARDS

, - , 2013 , Exit Rockaz , Most Disciplined Artist of the Year , , - , 2018 , CUM LAUDE , Male Artist of the year , , - , 2019 , Exit Rockaz , Bes Kwaito , , - , 2019 , Exit Rockaz , Best Male Artist of the year , 2020 Kwaito Artist of the year Result Nominated

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Exit 1989 births Living people 21st-century Namibian male singers Kwaito musicians People from Omusati Region People from Windhoek