Sliq Star sticks to the basics

CHIPPA LEGODIMO
Correspondent | Wednesday February 24, 2010 00:00

Hip hop in Botswana has been going through a metamorphosis with artists especially trying to make it make more acceptable to the local audience.  In the process a genre called Motswako has emerged and it continues to gain momentum with every new release, but how long it will last, only time will tell. But not all musicians are excited by this new change. Take Sliq Star (Mandla Tlhowe) for instance. He still believes so much in that old school hip hop.

His debut album, the LP, bears testimony to this. Though he tried to avoid the explicit lyrics favoured by American stars like Tupac Amaru Shakur and 50 Cent, his music can still be traced along those lines. His producer Karabo 'Bally' Leburu explained to Showbiz that he and the musician they were aware of the impact of the 'new' type of hip hop, but that it was after the realisation that the old type had not been fully exploited locally that they decided to take that route.

'To me the original hip hop is the real deal. I would not deny that I enjoy listening to the other version mostly done by local musicians. I respect them for their creativity, they have been able to turn this sound around to make it attractive to the local market, but I am still a big fan of the American version,' he said. According to him, the diversion completely to Motswako would deny those hardcore hip hop followers the opportunity to listen to their favourite music.  

'I believe it is not only me and Sliq who are still so much into the old school type of hip hop, there are hundred others out there and we have to be their voice.

They have some overseas musician that they follow but obviously they need a local lad who would even do the music in their own language,' Leburu said.

Sliq's 16-track album is quite impressive, especially on a first try and already it is reported to have earned him some endorsements with cellular giants  Mascom Wireless as well as emerging sports wear company, All Kasi.Although Leburu claimed that he and his protege were more interested in hard core hip hop the lure of Motswako has been irresistible, hence the track 'Motswako On Blues'. Watch out for tracks such as Made u see, Sent from Heaven, My Next Move and The Song.

'It would be an exaggeration to say this album is selling like hot cakes but I have to tell you we are happy with the way things have turned out.

We continue to receive accolades from those who come across it and for Sliq to have been able to attract the attention of both Mascom and All Kasi at the first try is commendable,' Leburu said.