19 Oct 2018

After his retirement from the music industry, disco artiste Thibazo has announced a comeback into the music scene with a fresh sound.

Back in his prime days, John Mothibe aka Thibazo was well known by his fans in the disco music circles.

Today, his view is of a man who has repented and said in an interview that his songs would change and be inspired by his subscription to Christianity.

“My sound is going to be different this time around. I will be preaching the word of God through my music. It is going to be a fusion of disco and gospel,” he said.

Mothibe, 52, who is a former sergeant with Botswana Police Service, has a career that spans to about 11 years in the music industry before his timely retirement in 2011, with five albums under his belt.

Disco fans will remember him by his most popular track Seileng se abo seile, the same track that gave him a break into the music industry.

Now residing in his home village of Shashe Bridge in the North East district, he reminisced about his journey.

Thibazo recalls well how he got inspired into the disco music business.  He credited Alfredo Mos and Les Africa Sounds for playing a big role in influencing his music career.

Under Alfredo Mos’ music studio, Thibazo said he released his first ever album titled Re Batswana, although the album did not fair well in the market.

However, he said it marked his entry in the music industry.

“Prior to that, I befriended one talented keyboard player, Tumelo Mafoko. Though he was playing rhumba I requested him to play disco for me and he agreed. That is when my music career was blossomed and I released an  album in 2001,” he said.

Two years later, Thibazo released what became his highlight album introducing him to the world of disco music. Three albums then followed, Rara, Moporofita and lastly Dikgwetlho before eventually quitting music in 2012.

According to Thibazo, he succumbed to the ever changing climate of challenges in the music industry, which resulted in him taking a decision to let go of the reigns.

However, being on the sidelines for a very long time afforded him an opportunity to introspect and research on the music industry in Botswana.

“The truth is music is a God-given talent I believe it is upon him to give or take it but if I am to make something out of it I have to work under God,” he explained.

Thibazo said his coming back to the music industry would be about working for God.

He said he took a decision with faith that with God he would be able to overcome every challenge.

With regard to whether disco would gel well with gospel, Thibazo said the two would relate very well and has a belief that fans would listen to his songs.

Currently, he is busy making his collection of the best of Thibazo. ENDS