Franco’s night of reckoning
Mqondisi Dube | Saturday April 2, 2022 09:20
Franco’s crisp voice in local kwasa kwasa legend, Nata Capricorn’s smash hit, Dumelang is unmissable.
Dumelang is a tune that used to (and still) has a powerful dance effect and would invoke rhythmic movements even in crackling old joints. It is a master tune that dominated the dance floors at the turn of the millennium and still evokes yesteryear memories while carrying the new generation along. The then burly Nata Capricorn was the king of kwasa kwasa and his tunes were infectious even to non-rhumba fanatics.
When Franco left Nata Capricorn, he took a brief detour past another local rhumba giant, Alfredo Mos. But his giant footsteps were destined for a life changing leap into the new world of a solo career with the chart bursting debut album, ‘Ke lela le lona.’ The tune became an immediate ‘national anthem’ that went on to dazzle local fans and his influence even crossed regional borders in 2001.
Then a green horn, Franco had announced his arrival in stunning fashion, which put him under immediate pressure to sustain his flying start. He went even one better with his next offering, Ba a ntatola, which erased any lingering doubts about the former soldier’s talents.
There was the indigenous feel to what had, until then, remained an exotic beat. Franco managed to domesticate a beat that had remained the preserve of East Africa. Of course there were other local pacesetters like Alfredo Mos, but Franco offered a new dimension with his lyrics embedded in local community life.
The lyrics resonated with the young and old as the Gabane native played a thumping role in entrenching a genre that was long associated with the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) in particular. It is where the undisputed kings of kwasa kwasa or rhumba like Koffi Olomide, Kanda Bongo Man, Pepe Kalle and the all-powerful group, Extra Musica originate.
At some stage, Franco faced criticism over his style, beats and lyrics which were deemed to be similar to those of already established stars in the genre. Kwasa kwasa purists would argue, Franco presented the lighter version of the authentic rhumba or kwasa kwasa beat.
But even those critics are melting away as Franco keeps churning out hit after hit, and with every beat, the music sounds more and more indigenous.
Those who claimed to be fine music connoisseurs or genre savvy, would involuntarily sing along or tap their feet to the irresistible beats or the lyrics that talk about everyday life of an ordinary Motswana. From ‘Issa, Bokgaitsadi, Tipi ya mokwata to Phutha merwalo’, there is a piece of story everyone can relate to. It is not about abstract, fantasy lyrics.
His story telling, through his songs, has endeared him to generations.
After riding some turbulence, including question marks over the longevity or sustainability of kwasa kwasa in a country known for its rich traditional music, Franco has remained a refreshing constant. Tomorrow night during the Soul Fill Up with Franco, presents the finest opportunity for Franco to further leave an indelible footprint on the local music scene. The feel of an exotic beat has long been banished and a new hybrid domestic rhumba engineered by a son of the soil has emerged.