TWO of Namibia's prime music makers, R&B star Roger Itembu and producer Julius Spiegel, aka 'Eclipse', were killed in a car crash on Sunday morning.

The accident happened about 45 km from Otavi on the way to Otjiwarongo.

The Namibian Police's public relations department confirmed the names of the deceased as Roger Itembu (25) and Julius Spiegel (25).

Both are believed to have died at the scene, Warrant Officer Kauna Shikwambi told The Namibian.

Three other people were injured in the accident.

They are Peya Silas (24), Pinus Kandji (25) and Diogene 'DJ' Ochs (24).

They were returning to Windhoek after performing at the promotional Gazza Channel O Nomination Show at Rundu. Itembu, who was with Gazza Music Productions (GMP), was one of Namibia's best R&B artists.

Born and raised in Windhoek, Itembu was an accountant by profession but had recently chosen to dedicate his time to his music career.

Spiegel, aka Eclipse, was a renowned music producer and was with Mad Boy Genius Records.

Spiegel produced Itembu's latest album 'Here I Am' on which his collaboration with Berthold Binga 'I Can't Breathe' was the biggest hit.

Spiegel was also an avid advocate of hip-hop music and was considered as one of the main drivers behind the resurgent hip-hop genre in the country.

On Sunday evening, more than 200 fans and local artists gathered at the Parliament Gardens in Windhoek to pay their respects to the late Itembu and Spiegel.