Captain Dira back in the studio

MONKAGEDI GAOTLHOBOGWE
Staff Writer | Thursday January 29, 2009 00:00

'I am remaining with just one song to finalise the recording. I have already completed recording seven songs,' says the 24-year-old from Matsilojoe.

Captain Dira, 24, real name Dickson Diratsagae Mahupela, estimates, his  current album,  Mashobane, has already sold 35,000 copies. 'That's a rough estimate, because the last time I checked in August, we had gone over 25,000 copies.'

The question is, can the young celebrity match the success of his  current album? ' I am making sure I am bringing forth vibey tunes, the sort of tunes that  can play I at night clubs. This one is more vibrant in beats.

We have used  woof base, more like rumba beats without losing the borankana
(Tswana traditional) touch, he explains  to Mmegi Showbiz.

Dira says that in his new album he will feature heavyweights such as Gong Master, Lerua-rua, as well as Kearoma Rantau, and television personality Joel Keitumele, aka Ntsoro. He features a Shona singer Tawanda Benson, in a song  titled, Shangwari.
'I am confident I have produced a fine album, because I took time to work on the recordings. I see the album as a progression of my career.'

Dira's current album is regarded to be one of the  best on the local scene, and  those who have enjoyed it  might find it hard to imagine it playing second fiddle to any other. 'I tried to make the new one  different and exciting. People will see that. I love good music. I listen the likes of Ringo, Olivier Mtukudzi and other Afro pop legends. In a way, their musical styles influence my style.'

Captain Dira reckons that Sthando Same, a Zulu track in his current album better represents his preferred style of  music. 'It is soulful, danceable, African, without losing the Setswana flavour,' he tells Showbiz.