Shikito: The rising Rhumba star
Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Sunday December 12, 2021 06:00
The Thamaga native, who is currently pursuing his Form 2 at Ramotswa Junior Secondary School, recently made his debut performance here at Kwambala Music Festival and became one of the most talked about performers of the night. In an interview with Arts and Culture, the teenage star said he started showing interest in music and dance at a tender age.
He said when growing up, all he has ever wanted was to be a Rhumba star. Shikito also indicated that he made his breakthrough in the music industry at a tender age of 10 with his debut single, Tshwara mosimane. He said the single, which talks about disciplining a boy-child, was released in 2017 and received lots of love from Rhumba music lovers. Furthermore, in 2018 he released yet another single title Nancy mathata which also made airplay in the local radio stations. Speaking about his most talked about album, Shikito stated that Motho ke yoo was released last year during lockdown.
He said that the album consists of tracks such as Go tlaa siama, Sebene, Tshwara mosimane, Nancy and Boma ntoki. The multi-talented singer who juggles as a lead guitarist, drummer, dancer and a vocalist, was motivated by the renowned indigenous Rhumba artist Oscar Chakabuya. Apart from playing music, the talented teenager said that he enjoys playing football and video games. Shikito has employed eight youthful people in his band and he is planning on engaging more in future. Speaking about her gifted son, Bonno Chakabuya said Shikito was only two-years-old when she noticed that he loved music. She said she started realising that her son has a special talent when he was always singing and dancing along to Rhumba music on television. “I also love Rhumba music and so is the whole family.
We listen to a lot of Rhumba music from the likes of award winning Congolese singer dancer and composer Koffi Olomide to veteran Rhumba group Extra Musica, “she said. Shikito’s mother also added that her son is also under the mentorship of her lovely husband Oscar Chakabuya. She indicated that her husband has played a major role in the growth of Shikito in the music industry. According to Bonno, she is fully behind her son’s music career and allows him to focus 60% of his time on his education and the rest to music.