19 Aug 2024

Evident as it has become lately, many Botswana musicians no longer make a killing through sales, rather have resorted to performing at shows or events for income.

Release of albums has also become infrequent, while many, both upcoming and established artistes, are climbing on the bandwagon and releasing singles mostly, a synonymous trend locally and internationally.

One local hip hop artiste, Motlhokomedi Tomeletso, who goes by the stage name MT wa Bana, said since he cut his teeth in the music industry in 2015, he had only a singles collection under his belt, and never released a full album.

The fact that people seldom buy music nowadays, MT wa Bana said was the reason he confined to producing single songs rather than an album.

The Letlhakane-based young musician therefore appealed for bookings at events such as weddings, festivals and even bars to perform at a fee.

Born in Sekgopane settlement near Mmadikola in the western part of Boteti 28 years ago, MT wa Bana said he had always had passion for performing arts since his primary school days where he participated in drama.

He said after not doing well in his Junior Certificate Examinations in 2013, he started doing piece jobs and saving money to fulfil his dream of recording music one day.

Committed to the dream as he was, with the little that he had saved, he released his first hip hop single in 2016 dubbed Ditswetso, followed by Segolotika the same year.

Both songs, he said people loved them, given the feedback on social media and the crowd’s positive response every time he performed at respective events.

Though he is not a popular artiste, he said he was happy with fame he was slowly gaining following the release of his single dubbed Shumba Ye She, which made its way to the air waves, playing regularly on RB2.

“Shumba Ye She was my first product to make it to radio stations, and I even benefited royalties from COSBOTS,” he said.

His latest song was released in 2022, dubbed Ba Khala ka Nna, which he said he had also submitted to COSBOTS and BOMU.

One of the highlights of his career, MT Wa Bana said was when he received a standing ovation during his performance at RB1 roadshow in Letlhakane recently hosted by DJ Fresh.

To enhance his talent, the promising hip hop artiste said his wish was to find opportunities to collaborate with other established artistes locally and outside Botswana.

His music is currently found on YouTube, his Facebook page and TikTok. Ends