18 Jun 2018

A 33-year-old Francistown born and based youth, Tebogo Nkadile, best known as Ras-T in the music industry, is able to put food on the table through his musical talent.

Ras-T has found solace in the reggae dance hall music genre and his self-composed songs clearly indicate that he did not end in the music industry by chance.

Speaking in an interview recently, the reggae dance hall music lover explained that he has been in the music industry since 2009 when he released his six track album titled Mosadi Phologolo.

He recalled that his musical talent was cultivated at a tender age when his uncle, whom he considered his best friend ever, was a notable Disc Jockey (DJ) back in the 90s in and around the city of Francistown.

Ras-T pointed out that he followed his uncle around wherever he was playing and would be rewinding tape cassettes using a pen.

Since then, he shared that his uncle realised that his nephew was developing interest in pursuing music as his way of life, and then taught him the tactics of being a DJ and then after, the actual knowledge of composing a song and the logics of becoming an artist.

After completion of his Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) in 2005, Ras-T said he enrolled for a tertiary course at BA ISAGO University College, which took him three years to complete.

He said during his tertiary days, he got engaged in the music industry on a part time basis for him to balance it well with his studies.

“I associated with friends such as MC Maswe who seemed to be popular in the music industry and being a master of ceremonies,” he said.

He explained that upon completion of his tertiary education, he experienced the challenge of unemployment which negatively impacted on the lives of the youth.

Ras-T stated that he did not want to let this challenge be a barrier and instead of wasting time staying home, he set himself some musical goals to achieve in order to become an artist of note.

He said he desired to become an inspiration to others with the same interest as well as become a competitor to those who were already established in the music industry.

Today Ras-T says he is inspiring fellow youth in the music industry as he continues to strive for the best.

Furthermore, in 2012 he said he was pushed to establish a folk music group named Mazganda.com, which did outstandingly in the Presidential Arts Competitions.

He said on a number of occasions, he has been invited to corporate events and wherever he performs, he ensures that he leaves a mark.

Ras-T noted that for one to succeed in life, they ought to believe in themselves and go an extra mile on their ambitions.

He maintained that not all people could be employed, adding that such  should not be the end of life, as there were endless opportunities that people could tap into. ENDS