‘5 Questions With’: Lioness
“Nothing good in life comes easy, and with that said it will challenge you as an individual.”
LIONESS is the artist crossing boundaries, creating waves over the African continent, and now reaching our eager ears too. Known to friends, family and patients as La-Toya Mwoombola (or Dr. Mwoombola), Lioness isn’t your conventional rap superstar – with a background in classical ballet and contemporary dance, this versatility has made her a fan-favourite during live performances coupled with her infectious energy. Not only her rise to stardom opened doors for the doctoral intern within Africa, but it has nurtured her love for empowering young women and mentoring young students within her country, Namibia, and portrays her as a fierce and refreshing artist who uses her style, fashion, sound and intelligence to inspire and create music that resonates throughout the world.
Words by Danielle Temeng
EQ: Who is Lioness as a person, and as an artist?
Lioness as an artist is a mood. She is an attitude, a freakum dress. Lioness as an artist is the standard alter ego of the female. Sexy yet sophisticated, humble but yet so comfortable in her prestige. Everywhere she goes she leaves her spirit, a spirit of encouragement to get out of their shell and live in their truth.
Lioness as a person is a geek, an older sister who will continue to lecture on the mistakes she did in the past. She is the voice of reason.
EQ: What has your road to success looked like so far? Any notable lessons (good or bad) you can share with artists hoping to follow in your path?
The road is nothing like we all imagine. Somehow, we all expect to be noticed and get rich overnight. The journey is a very lengthy one and mentally draining. It requires you to adopt a sense of patience at the same time hard work and dedication. It requires you to be focused and intentional. Nothing good in life comes easy, and with that said it will challenge you as an individual.
I remember how I never got booked to perform in my early years. I would beg and follow promoters with my CDs. That was a necessary lesson as now onto this date have only ever sought one gig, the rest I was scouted. I was booked every weekend and asked to be a part of huge platforms in Africa such as Coke Studio Africa and worked with well renowned creatives.
“Music is very seasonal and unpredictable, and I want to encourage geeks like me that being part of two different worlds is absolutely okay. Defying the odds is a motto I kept very close to my heart.”
– LIONESS
Instagram/@lioness_nam_
EQ: You still do a lot of work surrounding your professional background in science & tech, why is this important to you?
I currently am a medical intern doctor. Both my parents had PHDs, so I was always around over-achievers and people who understood the importance of having a profession that can sustain you and provide security. I was raised in a small country, Namibia, and therefore opportunities were extremely scarce; I found a love for music along the way too, as my mother used to be in a band in her early life and my sister is a producer, graphic designer and model thus being exposed to two completely different worlds.
Music is very seasonal and unpredictable, and I want to encourage geeks like me that being part of two different worlds is absolutely okay. Defying the odds is a motto I kept very close to my heart.
EQ: If you could only select one person (dead or alive), who would you most want to collaborate with?
I would definitely like to collaborate with Rihanna. I believe her brand really resonates with me. My story in a very odd way mirrors hers (except JAY-Z noticing me). She is an extremely talented woman and I believe I could learn so much from her from a musical as well as business aspect.
EQ: What was the main inspiration your new project ‘Wish You Were Here’, and do you have a favourite track?
The main inspiration behind ‘Wish You Were Here’ is love. A common language we all may understand. Have you ever had a conversation with a total stranger about a long-lost love and connected instantaneously? This is my exact goal, to have my fans have insight on experiences about love and relive these experiences. My favourite track is the title track “Wish You Were Here”.
YouTube/Lioness Nam
Stream‘Wish You Were Here’ HERE
Keep up with Lioness on socials:
Instagram: @lioness_nam_
Twitter: @lioness_CilQ