OmPuff (kwaito)
Leonardo Osie (June 29, 1983) better known by his stage name as OmPuff is an Angolan, Namibian kwaito and hip hop musician who rose to widespread fame in 2005. He's one of the liveliest performers on the Namibian local scene. He's signed to Mshasho Productions. He nicknamed himself Puffy after childhood hero Puff Daddy, (now Diddy). After doing more and more kwaito Puffy eventually became OmPuff, making it sound more African. OmPuff speaks fluent Oshiwambo, Afrikaans, Portuguese, and English.
Early career
OmPuff was born in Namibe City, Angola. He moved to Namibia at an early age in the late 90's. He has lived most of his childhood in Katutura, Windhoek. As a teenager, he would mimic rap songs by famous American rappers. In the early 2000's he joined an underground hip hop group known as Zero Degrees. OmPuff left the group in 2003 after Feeling discourage by the lack of support within the local hip hop industry to pursue a solo career in kwaito.
His first shot of exposure was when he became a close associate of Gazza and his label G.M.P.. The pair recorded a song called "Kwaito Party" which got a lot of air play and made OmPuff one of the most exposed underground artists. The song is still unreleased and is boycott from radio by Gazza, however it leaked via Bluetooth.
Joining Mshasho
After realizing he was wasting his time with G. M. P., he left Gazza and met wit Sunny Boy who then introduced him to The Dogg. The Dogg immediately signed him to his Mshasho Productions label. He started touring with The Dogg and became his main back-up performer. He was later featured on The Dogg's 2006 album Introducing TeeDee. He also appeared on Sunny Boy's album Elai Lineendunge.
OmPuff released his debut album Phone Call on the Mshasho label in December, 2007. In mid 2008, he performed in his native country Angola. His second album is expected to be released in mid 2009.
Discography
- 2007: Phone Call
- 2009: TBA
Awards
- 2008: Sanlam-NBC Music Awards
- Best hip hop (nominated)
- Best Afro-pop (nominated)