In the pantheon of African Hip-Hop, Namibia has long been a quiet spectator. Enter La-Toya ‘Lioness’ Mwoombola, a prolific pap powerhouse who’s spent nearly two decades trying to rewrite that narrative with a score of releases such as “Pride of CilQ,” “Wish You Were Here,” and “Dance And Dance”. Her latest offering, If Not In This Life, is a 13-track offering that pulsates with an infectious energy that captures the vibrant essence of Namibian music and the pan-African spirit that’s increasingly defining the continent’s sound.
Conceptualized during her pregnancy and birthed in the beginning phase of motherhood, If Not In This Life represents a vow to her craft, a defiant stand against the notion that motherhood signals the end of artistic pursuits. The production quality is impeccable, an all- encompassing display of Lioness’s perfectionism and understanding of curating a world-class sonic experience. Collaborations with artists like Kaladoshas, Cleo Ice Queen, Gazza, Willy G, Azo Nawe, Ethnix Namibia, Earthtonami, Skrypt, and Mel add creative texture to the album’s rich soundscape, creating a work that induces repeated listens.
The album opens with a disarming interlude featuring Lioness’s daughter, a representation of what fuels her newfound drive to deliver exceptional music. “Tic Tac,” followed by “Selecta”, kicks the album into high gear with its upbeat Afrobeats-inspired rhythm, seamlessly merging love and dance. This celebration of love and movement serves as a microcosm for the album as a whole—a work that seeks to integrate the personal with the cultural and the intimate with the universal.
As the album unfolds, Lioness’s genius for cultural fusion becomes increasingly apparent. “Funk” stands out as a brilliant example, blending Funk and Afrobeats while interpolating a Brenda Fassie sample—a nod to South African musical heritage that showcases Lioness’s reverence for the broader African musical landscape. This cultural exchange reaches its apex with “Omapiyano,” “Feel Good”, and “Alive,” songs which position themselves as a tour de force masterclass in genre-blending, beautifully paying homage to South Africa’s Amapiano while reclaiming and reimagining the sonic texture of the genre through a distinctly Namibian lens.
Watch “Funk” here:
But If Not In This Life isn’t all dancing and romance. In “Never Won,” Lioness offers one of the album’s most vulnerable moments, peeling back the layers of glamour to reveal the struggles beneath. Here, she tackles industry politics, the challenges of motherhood, and the personal toll of ambition with a raw honesty that unveils the human behind the bravado she exudes during the album. It’s a track that adds depth to the album, grounding its more celebratory moments in lived experience and offering a poignant reflection on the sacrifices required to establish oneself as a formidable artist on both the Namibian and international stages.
The album’s lead single, “Pull Up,” stands as a bold declaration of Lioness’s continued relevance. It’s a track that radiates confidence; its catchy hook and ethereal vocals create an anthem for self-assurance. The lyrics celebrate female independence, with Lioness asserting that she can buy her own bottles in the club—a small but significant pushback against societal expectations. The accompanying video, directed by Dirk van Niekerk, is a visual feast that matches the song’s energy beat-for-beat, blending high fashion, sharp choreography, and modern AI effects. In moments like these, Lioness’s star power is most evident, stretching her creative prowess to assert herself as a forward-thinking tastemaker with her finger on the pulse of modern pop culture.
Watch “Pull Up” here:
As the album concludes, “See You Again” arrives as a classic boom-bap offering that sees Lioness trading bars with Skypt. The track pays homage to Hip-Hop’s roots while asserting both artists’ lyrical dominance. The intricate sampling, bold statements, and dexterous flows make for a well-rounded rap performance that stands as one of the album’s highlights, proving that Lioness can hold her own in any Hip-Hop arena.
“Fame” closes the album with an ethereal mission statement that crowns the album with an unwavering spirit of ambition and achievement. In it, Lioness clarifies her vision of what she intends to do with her fame and success, and, in doing so, she uses the intimate instrumental in charting a new kind of diasporic art that honours its roots while constantly pushing forward. It’s the sound of an artist operating at the peak of her powers, crafting a legacy that extends far beyond her Namibian origins to encompass a genuinely pan-African experience.
Listen To “See You Again” here:
As the final notes fade, one is left with the sense that this album goes beyond being a personal triumph for Lioness; it’s a landmark moment for African music writ at large. It challenges listeners, fellow artists, and the industry itself to think bigger, embrace complexity, and recognize that the future of global music may well be incubating in places we’ve too long overlooked. If not in this album, then when?
Stream “If Not In This Life” here: empawaafrica.lnk.to/LionessIfNotInThisLife
