Benny T, Zakes Bantwini to collaborate
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Friday November 23, 2018 14:44
Zakes Bantwini is an international artist who has worked with successful other artists across the continent such as Elvovo, ATI, Kwesta and KO to mention a few. Benny T is a newcomer in the music industry and some of his work includes Peace of My Mind and Waters In My Eyes.
The two met on Saturday when the Clap Your Hands hitmaker was in Gaborone to launch his new single, Your King at the United Lounge and agreed to make some music together.
It is said that the two are already communicating and sharing ideas and beats.
This is a big opportunity for the artist from Kanye, as it is not easy for local talent to get the opportunity to collaborate with stars of such stature.
Before his performance last Saturday, the South African singer told Arts & Culture that besides enjoying performing here, he has always admired and liked local music and believes that Batswana artists have talent that can crossover internationally. “I love people in Botswana because it’s like they know what their money is worth. It’s only in Botswana that every time after you perform they review you. “You get a lot of tweets talking about your performance. I have also always loved local music. I love Zeus, I am a fan, I still follow him.
“He is very good at what he does. Lately there is a guy I discovered called Benny T, he is good. I like his music,” he said. Zakes Bantwini said that South Africans appreciate local music, but they don’t hear it frequently.
He said that there should not be barriers for collaborations between South Africans and Batswana in the arts industry because the two nations have collaborated in other aspects of social and economic development. He stated that music is a universal language and could unite people, but the local arts can only grow with buy-in from government.
“I think it’s the platform. Local artists are not failing because the music that they do is amazing, but they lack that platform to take it out.
“They don’t get to expand to other areas of the continent. They keep performing at the same venues. You can’t exhaust your market if you travel. “This is because there has not been a strong relationship, a very strong tight relationship in terms of growing the arts industry.
“And I think it’s about time we had that particular conversation. I was head of Soul Music Africa, responsible for uncovering talent. “We should have this conversation with the (SA) Ministry of Trade and Industry and say how do we package arts and culture and export it as a commodity. “In South Africa we are quiet ahead, if we have partnered in mining, agriculture and other areas, then why not in the arts,” he said.
Zakes Bantwini stated that he has always loved working with unknown talents and giving them exposure.