From streets to stardom: Gappy Roberts makes his mark
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Sunday July 20, 2025 06:02
With nothing but his voice and a dream, he began singing in the streets of Southampton, England. 'I had to start from scratch,' Gappy Roberts recalled. 'But the streets of Southampton became my stage, and the people who stopped to listen became my first fans,' he said in a recent interview with Arts&Culture.
While on the ground, word of his soulful voice spread, and soon, Gappy Roberts gained a loyal following. Within half a year, he had gained followers, with his Facebook page reaching 10k followers from just 800. He was scouted by British Got Talent and featured on The Voice in the UK, and magazines and newspapers such as The Echo in the UK. Before long, he was touring the world, gracing stages in Spain and Kenya, among other countries. He performed at sold-out shows abroad. Now, on the cusp of international stardom, he returns home to share his experiences with the nation that nurtured his love for music.
'I'm humbled by the journey. I left here with nothing after taking a loan and selling my home, which I got from my parents to start a new life in the UK,' Gappy Roberts said in an interview. With a newfound confidence, Gappy Roberts is ready to make his mark.
'I'm excited to share my experiences and collaborate with local artists to elevate Botswana's music scene. The 28-year-old is also planning to host an event, showcasing local talent and providing a platform for emerging artists. The event called The Ultimate R'n'B Festival will take place in November. He stated that the festival will feature both Hip Hop & R'n'B artists. “It is not just about the music, but urban culture. We want to showcase the Botswana culture in a different way. The show will not be just about the music but fashion and lifestyle,” he explained. He said they are still working on the logistics of the festival to ensure that it becomes a success.
'Music has a way of bringing people together. I want to use my platform to inspire and empower the next generation of musicians,' he added. As Gappy Roberts prepares to take the local music scene by storm, fans are eagerly anticipating his performances. With his authenticity, talent, and international exposure, Gappy Roberts wants to leave a lasting impact on Botswana's music industry. Born One Gabasiane, the talented singer comes from a musical family. His siblings include the Queen of Jazz, Puna Gabasiane, My Star 2011 winner; Bianca Gabasiane, Botswana’s renowned artist Edward ‘Senyomfere’ Gabasiane, as well as My African Dream 2008 winner Towelah Nkomo. He highlighted that his music is a fusion of rapping and singing. While in the UK, he also adopted Afrobeat, infusing it into his music, because of its popularity. He is working to release a new album called Before I Made It, which will be a reflection of his musical journey. During his time in the UK, Gappy Roberts was nominated Best Afrobeat Artist for the Beacon Urban Awards.