The Dogg facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Dogg
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The Dogg performing in Zoo Park 2006
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Martin Morocky |
| Also known as | The Kwaito Master, Mr. Skeleton, TeeDee |
| Born | 31 March 1983 Maheba, Zambia |
| Origin | Onayena, Oshikoto, Namibia Tribe = Ndonga |
| Genres | Kwaito, hip hop, house |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, producer |
| Instruments | Vocals, keyboards, drums |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Labels | Mshasho |
| Associated acts | Sunny boy, E Gazakoff, Vikta Juiceboy, OmPuff, Kanibal, Elvo, Qonja, Ree-Kay |
Martin Morocky (born March 31, 1983), known as The Dogg or King TeeDee, is a famous Namibian musician. He is known for his Kwaito music. His first album, Shimaliw' Osatana, came out in 2004. Many people around the world enjoy his music. You can hear his songs in countries like South Africa, Botswana, and Angola.
The Dogg has also performed in places like France, England, and Canada. He has won many awards and is one of the most awarded artists in Namibia. He has released about 11 albums and has over 20 awards. King TeeDee is also the owner of his own music company, Mshasho Productions, and a clothing brand called Mshasho Clothing.
Contents
Early life
Martin Morocky started school at Onayena Primary School. This school is in a village called Onayena. He moved there in 1989 after living in Zambia. Martin is the youngest of four children.
When he was a child, he wanted to be a mechanical engineer. Music was a hobby he loved but didn't focus on yet. In 1997, he moved to Windhoek City for high school. He went to Augustineum Secondary School. After high school, he started studying Science at the University of Namibia. However, he left after one year to follow his dream of becoming a musician.
Musical career
Becoming famous
The Dogg used to perform at school concerts. When he was in ninth grade, he and his friend Joe Basson started a kwaito dance group. They called their group Amasilkies. Before becoming a main artist, he was a backup dancer. He also opened shows for other famous musicians. These included his cousin Killa B and friend Jossy Joss.
He also opened concerts for big South African artists. These included Mzekezeke and Mafikizolo. The Dogg became famous in 2003. This happened after he released his hit song "Jesus Otati". This kwaito-gospel song was produced by Elvo.
"Jesus Otati" means "Jesus is saying". This song opened many doors for The Dogg. It was very popular. People compared his strong voice to South African kwaito star Mandoza. His voice was also compared to American rapper DMX. DMX is also known as The Dog. This might be where Morocky got his stage name.
The success of "Jesus Otati" helped The Dogg win awards. He won Artist of the Year and Best Kwaito Song. These were at the 2003 Sanlam-NBC Music Awards. In 2003, he started his own company, Mshasho Productions. This company became very popular in 2004.
First albums
While working on his first album, The Dogg met Gazza. Gazza had just returned to Namibia from South Africa. They started recording music together. With help from Elvo, they recorded "Ghetto Life". This was a song by Gazza.
Later, both artists signed solo deals with RC-Ghetto Records. The Dogg quickly started his first album. He released the popular song "Perfecto Tromentos" that year. Around the same time, The Dogg was featured on Gazza's hit "Shidolodolo". This song became very popular. It won an award for Best Collaboration in 2004.
Morocky released his first album, Shimaliw' Osatana, in February 2004. It was released under RC-Ghetto. This album was the first full-length kwaito album in Namibia. It won Best Selling album at the 2004 Sanlam-NBC Music Awards. Elvo produced most of the album. He became a mentor to both The Dogg and Gazza.
In December of that year, Morocky released his second album. It was called Take Out Yo Gun. This album was released on his own label, Mshasho Productions. The main song from the album was "The Dogg Is Back". It won awards for Best Kwaito song and Best Video. These were at the 2005 Sanlam-NBC Music Awards. Morocky won Artist of the Year for the third time in three years.
Some other artists questioned the awards system. This caused some disagreements between The Dogg and Gazza. Critics thought Gazza should have won the award.
Morocky signed the first artist to his Mshasho label. This was Sunny Boy. The Dogg met Sunny Boy at the University of Namibia. Sunny Boy had refused an offer from Gazza before signing with The Dogg. In 2005, The Dogg and Gazza had a big argument at a concert. This stopped them from working together in the future. The argument was about Sunny Boy signing with Mshasho. Gazza felt this was a betrayal. He had planned to sign Sunny Boy to his own company. After this news, fans started taking sides. Other issues also came up, including the Artist of the Year award.
In May 2006, Morocky released his third album. It was called Introducing TeeDee. The Dogg worked with Jay Malgas to produce the album. On this album, The Dogg also introduced artists from his label. These included OmPuff, Sunny Boy, and Nasti. They all appeared on the album.
The first song, "Baby Don't Go", won two awards. These were at the 2006 Sanlam-NBC Music Awards. It won for Best Collaboration and Best Afro-pop. It also won two awards at the 2006 Namibian Music Awards. The Dogg also won Best Hip Hop Song in 2006. In 2007, it won Best Newcomer at the Channel-O Spirit of Africa Video Awards.
You Can't Ignore
In 2007, The Dogg continued to be successful. He performed in Europe early in the year. He also had many tours around Namibia with his Mshasho team. Some people criticized his last album. But he proved them wrong with You Can't Ignore. This album was seen as a great comeback. It was compared to his first two albums. The album was very well received. The Dogg produced the whole album himself. He had help from Elvo. Only two songs were produced by DJ Kboz.
The first song from the album was "Can You Feel It". DJ Kboz produced it. It features Mshasho artist Tre Van Die Kasie. The song became a big hit across Namibia. It won an award at the 2008 Channel O Music Video Awards. It won for Best Kwaito Video. It also won Song of the Year and Best Single in 2007. The album was very successful. It helped The Dogg win his fourth Artist of the Year award. This was at the same ceremony in 2007. The Dogg has won this award four times in five years.
Another popular song was "Get Sum More". DJ Kboz produced it. It featured the rapper Qonja. This song was a very popular club hit. It won an award for Best Collaboration in 2008. Another popular song, "My Girl", also won Best Single. The album's success helped The Dogg win the People's Choice Award. The video for "Hands Up" was nominated in 2009. This was by Channel O Music Video Awards. It was in the Best Kwaito Video category.
2009 and beyond
The Dogg's fifth album, This Is My Time, came out on April 3, 2009. The Dogg produced the whole album himself. He had guidance from Elvo. In March 2009, The Dogg was nominated for "African Artist of the Year". This was by Nigeria's Hip-Hop World Awards.
The Dogg was chosen to be the first celebrity guest. He visited the Big Brother Africa 4 house. He entered the house on a Friday and left on a Sunday. He also appeared on the eviction show. He performed "Forget" with Namibian singer Ricardo.
The Dogg released his sixth album, The Power of 7 – Elevating Elevators, on April 30, 2010. Some people felt the album sounded too similar to his past work. In November, he announced he was working on an album with rapper Qonja. The two rappers released a short album. It was called Lets Celebrate. It came out on December 16, 2010. The Dogg and Elvo produced it. It features songs like "Let's Celebrate" and "Merry Christmas".
Mshasho released The Dogg's seventh album, The Deception, on July 2. The Dogg produced it entirely. It features famous artists. South African kwaito star Brickz is on "Tromentos". Zambian singer JK is on "End of Time". Both songs also feature Sunny Boy. Mshasho artist OmPuff also appeared on "End of Time".
The Dogg announced that The Deception would have a second part. He hinted that the new single would be amazing.
Producer role
The Dogg is not just a musician. He is also a music producer. He has produced hit songs for many famous Namibian artists. He started producing music in 2005. His mentor Elvo guided him. He has worked with Elvo, DJ Kboz, and Christian Poloni. He has produced all the albums released under Mshasho Records. The Dogg has been the main producer for all his solo albums. This started with Introducing TeeDee in 2006.
"I've tried different things," The Dogg said in an interview in 2007. "Like mixing house and rave beats with kwaito beats. I want to create my own unique sound." He has worked with Elvo and DJ Kboz on his productions.
Discography
Solo albums
- Shimaliw' Osatana – (2004), RC Ghetto
- Take Out Yo Gun – (2004), Mshasho
- Introducing TeeDee – (2006), Mshasho/KOOL Production
- You Can't Ignore – (2007), Mshasho/KOOL Production
- This Is My Time – (2009), Mshasho
- The Power of 7 – Elevating Elevators – (2010), Mshasho
- The Deception – (2011), Mshasho
- Live or Die – (2013), Mshasho
- Respect My Hustle (2015) Mshasho
- Concrete Jungle (2017) Mshasho
Other albums
- Omalaeti O'Swapo, (with Gazza, Elvo and Pablo) – (2004), Omalaeti Music
