Franco: Endurance personified
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Friday November 4, 2022 12:15
Franco has stood the test of time. The 52-years-old acquired what is originally a foreign sound to make it his own. Like many, he comes from humble beginnings but has risen through the ranks to attain stardom status.
His voice was a dominant feature on Kwasa Kwasa legend, Nata Capricorn’s hits just before the turn of the New Millennium. But Franco’s Ke lela le lona album released in 2001 was the making of a new king in the Kwasa Kwasa scene.
The album featured songs that to this day, remain etched in the memories of many. The Gabane-born artist had announced his arrival in a massive way following stints with Nata Capricorn and a brief detour with another local Rhumba giant, Alfredo Mos & Les Africa Sounds before making a giant and calculated leap to carve his own path as a solo artist.
His next project, Ba ntatola released in 2002 solidified him as a household name. It was an album that was seen as a test of his character and ability to sustain his soaring status. He followed that up again with yet another banger album titled Robala nnana. His popularity was soaring every time he dropped an album. He had found a niche that he exploited fully.
His song composing and story-telling ability always came to the fore in each of his albums and made him a fan favourite. Fans would always look up to his release every year towards the festive season.
His music tapped on different kinds of themes with lyrics that appealed to the young and old. Franco would go on to release albums such as O nyala leng, Khutsanyana, Spekere, Koti koti, Baesekele, Sephiri se dule, Majakathata, Ke fela pelo, Ke lorile sengwe, Zeng zeng ke eng, E ya le nna Babilona and lastly Mene mene tekele, which he dropped in 2017.
All these albums endeared him to a fan base that has also been a pillar for his prolonged career. While some of the artists of the yesteryears have seen their stars fade along the way, Franco’s star has shown even brighter.
Just like the Congolese Rhumba artist, Koffi Olomide, whom many regard as the undisputed king and ambassador of Rhumba, Franco has assumed those titles in the local shores.
He has shared his story telling skills through his songs, which in the process endeared him to many people across generations. His journey though has not been smooth sailing as he had to fight for relevance as other musical genres took centre stage. As he prepares for the launch of 19th album titled, A lwa le Mzabia, Franco has attributed his longevity in the game to hard work.
He said unlike other artists, he knew that for his craft to be appreciated, he had to be at the forefront and take charge of his craft. “Local artists should leave the mentality of thinking that someone out there will do the work for them.
Unlike in other countries, Batswana fans are hard to please. They want to see you pushing your work before they could appreciate it. I became the slave of my work for me to stay relevant,” he said. He said his persistence has also given him an edge. He said his plan is to do music as long as he is still breathing and has no intentions to leave the stage as music has no retirement age.
He gave an example of artists such as Mariam Makeba, Simon Ngabinda, Papa Wemba, Elton John and many more others who continued to entertain their fans into their old age and death. “I would like to continue performing for the next generations,” he said. Franco’s recent offering is expected to continue serving Batswana his freshest sound and continue his relevance.
The six-track album comprises of songs such as A lwa le Mzambia, which is the title track, Kolobeng, Kgalagadi o a tuka, Samba, Ke boela Gabane and Sethabi sa Mokgatla. The album launch will be held at Fore farm.
Tickets for the show sell at P70 advance, P100 at the gate while VIP costs P300.