Hats Off To Culture Spears

By Mogomotsi Moloi
Correspondent | Tuesday March 25, 2008 00:00

 

The six-track album, titled Khudu, was released last Thursday and contains nothing but captivating traditional music hits. As their front man Kabelo Mogwe promised a fortnight ago, the album should be the Easter holiday surprise package for the genre enthusiasts.
During the album's listening session at the Ozone Night Club last week, it was all hats off to the award winning five-member traditional music group. The audience nodded and tapped their feet in approval of the project.

Until last week, many people had been wondering whether the group, originally from Kasane, would be able to maintain the momentum after unleashing hot hits in their two previous albums - Korone and Kulenyane. But guess what, Khudu is even hotter than the previous albums.

It does not take a second to notice Culture Spears' music. Title song, Khudu, can be said to be a build-up to the much-celebrated Kulenyane. The lyrics and beats in the album resonate with the previous ones. The group has indeed managed to maintain the rhythm that it is well known for.

If you ever played Mantlwane at childhood level, the new album contains some songs that will surely remind you of those olden days. Through the album, which was recorded in Zimbabwe, Culture Spears share their experiences about several issues in life. 

With other tracks like Jeremane, Bodimo and Seru, the group looks set for more top honours. Khudu, title track, is the kind of song that one would not get enough of. Interestingly, hit song Khudu was composed while on the train in France last year.
Media personalities who attended the listening session gave the album the thumbs-up. Thabiso Nasha of RB2 said he was greatly impressed by Culture Spears' new products. No wonder the Pop Stars Botswana presenter literally joined the group on stage while sampling their music.

The newly elected Botswana Music Union (BOMU) secretary general Rasina Rasina hailed Culture Spears as the ambassadors of Botswana's traditional music. 'With groups such as this one there is no way our traditional music can die,' said a thrilled Rasina at the listening session. He wished the group good luck saying he hoped Khudu would make waves like Kulenyane did.   

Culture Spears comprises Mogwe, Magdalene Lesolebe, Thembeni Ramosetlheng, Lydia Oile, and Jellinah Mokgwatheng. The group shot to fame with Korone a few years ago before unleashing the superb Kulenyane. But as they became more established, they were eventually branded bo-Mmadikokwana because they had a song called Mmadikokwana in the Korone album.   

Kulenyane, their second and previous offering, made them immensely popular. And following high demand from the corporate world, the group decided to maximise their earnings by stopping public shows in preference to the mouth-watering offers from giant companies. Talking of their success, Kulenyane won them the Mascom BOMU Song of the Year, Best Artist and Best DVD awards.

The group is glad about their consistent work since joining the music fray. In an interview with Showtime, Mogwe and Lesolebe said they are hoping for the best in the album. 'This is just a continuation from where we left with Kulenyane. We are happy that the album (Khudu) has been welcome by our followers and we promise not to disappoint them,' asserted Mogwe.

Lesolebe explained that Khudu album is rich with messages, especially the fourth track, Seru. The Lerala-born 25-year-old says that they took time working on the album so it is bound to be a huge success. ' Through our previous albums, we have laid a strong foundation which is why we are not struggling. It is easy to notice our music,' stated Lesolebe who happily observed that their music is popular even in West Africa and Europe. 'This is a very good album; Batswana should support us.' Lesolebe, who promised to revive Botswana culture through traditional music, said most Batswana enjoy Kwasa-Kwasa, which is a foreign genre, but it is Culture Spears' mission to localise.

Showtime has learnt that Culture Spears' music is being appreciated in Uganda and Britain. Three men from these countries gate-crushed the listening session and demanded to be sold CDs.

To increase proceeds, Culture Spears have even engaged a Canadian, identified as Paul, to sell the local music in Europe. Paul told Showtime that the group has made his job easier by dropping another sizzling album. He stated that clients out there would snap up Khudu, which is almost similar to the previous projects. He also disclosed that most Europeans love Culture Spears and their music.