Namibian-born Taylor Jaye is an award-winning musical artist, singer, songwriter, entrepreneur, and the director of Jaye’s World Entertainment, a production company that focuses on visual content. Her genre is AfroPop, a mix of house, dance, amapiano, and Afrobeats, but she says she generally mixes anything she can “vibe with.”
This interview is part of The World Made Local, a global collaboration between the seven international editions of Condé Nast Traveler in which 100 people in 100 countries tell us why their home turf should be your next destination.
What inspires you?
I’m inspired by various things. For example, my last EP, Rise of Jaye Walker, as well as my clothing collection, is inspired by my love for comic books. I love anything sci-fi, so I drew a lot of inspiration from my love for superhero comics and movies like Star Wars.
What is the Namibian music scene like at the moment?
It’s flourishing. We don’t have a huge population, but we have a lot of public support, and our artists are pushing out some good-quality music. What I love the most is that we have also started putting out great visual content for artists’ music videos.
What makes Windhoek so interesting?
Windhoek is a gem. The capital is clean, organized, and vibrant, yet also relaxing. The infrastructure is extremely well developed, and we have some great food and hangout spots. For those interested in nature and wildlife, we have a lot of lodges located around Windhoek where you can take part in game drives. Namibians are also really kind people.
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Are there any secret, off-the-radar music venues in Windhoek we should know about?
Yes, Chicago’s and Funky Lab are great music venues. There is also a monthly event I headline for at Goethe-Institut, the German-Namibian Cultural Institute, called Night Under the Stars, which focuses on live music and cultural experiences.
Where are the best places to hang out in Windhoek?
If you want to grab some local food, head to Pioneers Park, where there is a selection of braai (Namibian barbecue) stands. In Windhoek, we go out to hang out, and then afterward, we end up in a neighborhood called Katutura for some kapana, which is slices of grilled meat cooked on an open fire—generally people tend to eat kapana throughout the day and night.
Windhoek has plenty of lounge and dining venues that offer great food and music, whatever your budget. If you want to party, there are a lot of venues—like Chicago’s and Funky Lab like I mentioned—where you can relax and grab a drink, or you can really turn it up at clubs like Experience. A popular place is Biggy’s Car Wash, located in Katutura, where people eat and hang out while their cars are washed. Namibians really enjoy setting up hangout spots at car washes and relaxing with sundowners outdoors.
Follow Taylor Jaye on Instagram @taylorjayeworld
