20-Elevation: Eventful for showbiz industry

THATO KALA
Correspondent | Friday December 23, 2011 00:00

 

Big name players in the international entertainment arena graced our shores - American singer, author, actress and preacher Juanita Bynum, Grammy nominee Lecrae, South Africans Lira, Zahara, HHP, Ringo, Joyous Celebration, Zakes Bantwini and Benjamin Dube are some of the few who visited our country this year.  Other African legends including Malian Salif Keita, Zimbabwean duo of Oliver Mutukudzi and Thomas Mapfumo also entertained local crowds this year. Local artists also held their own this year with gospel sensation, Kabelo Eric, bagging an international award. Vee and Shanti Lo hoisted the country's flag high after putting up five-star performances in Canada and Sweden. Slizer made several trips to Zimbabwe and was tasked to do a promotional album for the neighbouring country's tourism sector.

The year also saw a number of new artists birthed notably Slizer's eight-year-old son, Bibo, who dropped a sizzling six-track album titled Amacommander'  The country also saw some big fashion shows locally. It was refreshing to see the Gaborone Fashion Nite bring the likes of American Indashio, Yaya Da Costa and our very own Kaone Kario to the capital in April.

Arts & Culture spoke to a few entertainers just to hear them reflect on the year that comes to an end next week. Culture Spears' Kabelo Mogwe capped up a great year by wedding his long time sweetheart, Magdalene Lesolebe. The Culture Spears duo tied the knot early this month. 'My year was good because I got married,' an elated Mogwe told Arts & Culture.On the business front, he reckons 2011 was a fair year and said they plan to take up a fresh challenge in 2012. Their latest album Kuweletsana has been receiving massive airplay on local radio stations.

'As Culture Spears we are planning to do live performances next year. We usually play backtrack, but next year we want to try something live. In life people have to see you move up and progress so we want to change and do something new,' he said.

They will spend Christmas and New Years' eve on the road with several shows lined up from Thursday right up to the New Year. They perform in Serule on December 22, Francistown on Christmas day, Mogapi on the 28th before performing in Mmadinare, Tutume and Maunatlala on New Year's Eve. Gospel artist, Eric is understandably content about 2011 after winning his first international accolade exactly five years after releasing his debut album. He won the Afrotainment Museke Africa Music Awards' Best Gospel Song in New York, in July. He came tops among the heavyweights including South Africa's Benjamin Dube, Uche, and Ghana's Sonnie Badu.

He hopes for a brighter 2012. 'For me, 2012 is another year to be a blessing to my community. I intend to do more charity functions for the needy and I foresee more bookings from outside the country in places like Zambia, Ghana and Uganda,' Eric said.

He will spend Christmas with his family in Mogoditshane. 'I look forward to spending Christmas with my family.  Of course, the interesting part is opening presents,' he said. Afropop ace, Eugene Jackson featured alongside several visiting musicians this year and singles out his performance at Zahara's album launch last Thursday as the most memorable for the year. In fact, he refers to the year as 20-elevation.

'I did most shows than I've ever done in one year so it's been a great year,' Jackson said. Apart from last week's show, he believes his tour to Namibia in August was great.

'It was my first time there and the reception was great. People from there have been checking me on Facebook.' There's literally no Christmas holiday for the cornrowed artist as he is booked until next year.

His close friend, reggae star, Dithuso 'DT' Selepeng also spoke positively about the year, saying he saw growth in his work despite not releasing a new album.

'2011 as a businessman and looking at the music side has been very fantastic. I've risen as a performer, my demand multiplied by even three times,' DT said. He will not celebrate Christmas with his family this time around as he is booked until January 1, 2012. His last performance of the year will be at the outdoor Hunter's Bush Party in Maun.

Thereafter, DT will make time for his wife. 'I'll go camping with my wife because it's not safe for the kids,' he said.Actress and singer, Segofalang Nagafela also reckons 2011 has been a year to come out of her cocoon. She has finished recording her Hip-hop gospel single. 'I believe 2011 has been an incredible year,' Nagafela said. But, for her, it is all divine.

'God manifested His power in our lives and showed us that it does not matter who you are before men, but what matters is who you are in His eyes.'

The Thokolosi actress is more optimistic about the coming year. 'I believe 2012 is a year God is going to show me exactly what it is that He has put inside of me.' Dance queen Slizer, who is still to finish her Zimbabwe project, will spend New Year's eve in Plumtree. She is equally elated about her progress this year, particularly, the recording of her son's album and her new offering Diwewewe.