T.H.A.B.O finds niche as radio presenter

LEKOPANYE MOOKETSI
Correspondent | Tuesday August 16, 2011 00:00

 

Thabo presents RB 2's weekend morning programme, Groovers Mansion.

The 30-year-old Thabo, who started presenting the programme in 2008, believes that he has made his mark on radio because the show has been growing from strength to strength in terms of popularity.  The G-West lad feels that he has grown considerably as a radio presenter.  'I have grown.  I have learnt so much from radio,' he says with that familiar voice that has come to haunt RB 2 listeners on early weekend mornings.

In his view, the Groovers Mansion's popularity has been soaring.  'A lot of people are following the show.  When I started to present the show, I didn't know that people listened to radio around 3am-6am.  Some people don't sleep while others seem to sleep with their radios switched on low volume,' says Thabo.

He says the show has its own regular followers, adding that his loyal listeners never want to miss it.  Another advantage, according to him, is that RB 2 is a national radio station; so his show is followed countrywide.  On his show, Thabo plays old school Kwaito and dance music.

Thabo says he has always been eager to learn as far as radio is concerned.  So far he has mastered a few tricks. 

He is quick to point out that he has learnt much from his veteran colleagues.  'Radio is not all that easy as some people think.  Firstly, you have to do your research.  You have to be well-informed so that you don't embarrass yourself on air.  You have to present very well.  You have to know your music too,' he says about some of the tips of being a top class radio presenter.  Thabo says he is enjoying himself as a radio presenter as he is even able to present jazz shows.  He has found radio to be quite interesting.  Thabo feels that he has been able to make it because he is a hard worker.  When he is doing something he dedicates 110 percent of his effort.  'I also listen to other radio stations to learn,' he says.  Thabo also presents another programme on RB 2, which is dealing with social responsibility issues.  The programme is aired on Saturdays from 12 noon to 2 pm.  Through this programme the station is striving to help charitable organisations by advertising their activities.

'We also play youth-oriented music.  It is also an exciting programme,' he says.

Meanwhile, Thabo has not forgotten about his roots in music and has just finished working on a new album.  He worked on the album with his long-time producer B K Proctor and some young producers.  Thabo says the album will be released before the end of the year.

'Musically I am still alive and kicking,' he declares.  He has not been focusing much on music because he wants to learn more about radio. 

Thabo says his fans should look forward to the album because it is going to be a hit.  Once it is released, he is going to promote the album throughout the country.  As an artist, Thabo started performing in 1998 as a member of the defunct top local duo, T-Joint.  His other half at T-Joint was Tebatso Hule.  The group released hits like Tanalala.

But Thabo and Hule parted ways in 2004.  After that Thabo embarked on a solo music career and even collaborated with ace producer David 'Skizo' Molosi.  Thabo's first album as a solo artist was entitled Son Of The Soil, which he says, took the market by storm.  The album also received massive airplay.  Tracks like O Tla Mpakela were popular on radio.

Thabo's second album, Ko Moketeng was produced by Fafi Motsemme.  According to him, this was also a successful project.  He says Molosi took the album to a South African-based music company, Universal Music, which re-released the album and distributed it throughout the continent.  Thabo says the album is still on the market in places like Johannesburg.   Thabo's videos of the album were captured on the South African television channel, SABC.  He was also invited for shows in South Africa.

He eventually parted ways with Skizo because he wanted to learn.  That is when he started Untshwarable Records, which released his last album, Untshwarable.  Thabo says Untshwarable has also done well.  As an artist, Thabo has performed throughout the country and staged shows in countries like Nambia and South |Africa.

His fans will soon see him back on stage to promote his about-to-be-released album.  The king of motswako promises that he will be as hot as ever.  Besides the radio show and his music career, Thabo has also been availing his services as Master of Ceremonies (MC) at social and corporate functions.