Mass drops 'A go nne se se nnang’
Kennedy Ramokone | Sunday May 15, 2022 06:00
Mass, as Bakwena is commonly known in the music industry, started his music journey at an early age of eight during his Sunday School times in the UCCSA church at Serowe. A Mathematics and Music teacher by profession, Mass is also a choir conductor, song composer, ballroom dancer and choreographer.
He is currently the president of Botswana Schools Performing Arts (BOSPA). His love for music resulted in him releasing his first album in 2012 named Marakanelo A Tsela, which was later on followed by six singles namely Go aga motho, I'm only human, Mo tlogele a tsamaye, Noga e batang, Corona and Badimo-No to GBV. In 2020, his Corona song got second position during the First National Bank Botswana (FNBB) Bodiragatsi Jwame, Lentswe Lame competitions.
In an interview with Arts & Culture, Mass said the latest single is centred around the beauty of being Motswana and instruments used to make traditional music. “I am very proud of being a Motswana, that is why it was so easy for me to compose this song. It talks about the delight of being a Motswana. Batswana love the kind of music I am doing, so to me it’s a blessing because I send messages better through music,” he said.
Mass further said he recorded the single live to show his growth and passion on Afro Jazz music. A go nne se se nang is a very great song mostly sang in Setswana. The rhythm and words used describe the beauty of Botswana traditional music. He also explained that music could sell the country. Moreover, he said he wanted to show Batswana that "this is our country and we should be proud of the gift that we are given by the Almighty God".
“Every time when I compose songs my intention is not to make people dance. I compose songs to send message to the people. As a teacher I believe in good results, that is why most of the time I receive positive feedback from my followers," he added.
He also said his Afro jazz music will always convey the Setswana essence, as his intention is to show Batswana that music is a very powerful tool that can be used to revive the touch that we have lost in the past as the nation. The Afro jazz artiste pointed out that parents should identify talent in their children at early age and nurture it. “I do not struggle to compose my songs because I am talented. I do what I love; I am a Motswana I will never get tired of embracing the beauty of my mother country Botswana,” he added.