Mogo Route 7 takes a U-turn

CHIPPA LEGODIMO
Correspondent | Tuesday May 24, 2011 00:00

This song by Coloza (Kagiso Otukile) was a real hit during its time and the young man looked destined for great thing, but it did not happen.

His 'combi had a breakdown' and he disappeared from the scene for some time.  But now this young man from Kanye, who burst onto the scene like a real dynamite six years ago, is carefully planning a comeback and according to him it would be 'very strategic'. 'The music scene has changed a lot. It is not the way it was when I did Mogoditshane Route 7.  So I would not just pop in there.  I have done another album after a long time of course, but it would only be released at an opportune time,' Coloza told Showbiz. 

The musician has been busy behind the scene, composing and producing music for other acts like Mad Doggs and Madlozi and others. During his long absence Coloza also seemed to have fallen in love with video production as he has done quite a few videos for fellow musicians.  'It got me hooked and even now I am still yearning to produce better material for various musicians.  At least it had been keeping me busy while my own career was stuck,' he said.

According to him, the music world has changed such that only bubble gum music is financially rewarding.  He said that his new album would not be the kind that would be remembered for many years to come but that it would excite his fans.

'That is what I meant by being strategic. You need something that can give us some returns (on investment) as soon as possible because people are no longer interested in keeping that CD for years,' he said.  He also lamented that music piracy was taking the steam out of many musicians, saying the use of memory sticks (flash discs) especially was killing the industry.  Coupled with the strict liquor regulations, Coloza said music piracy would force many artists to give up on their talents for other ventures.

'Our customers are mostly people who like drinking and with the hours slashed, and the alcohol levy being repeatedly hiked, it leaves musicians with a headache.  One would want to assume that if their music were pirated they would find solace in live shows.  But because alcohol is expensive people are no longer coming to shows.  It is made worse by the fact that they are only allowed a few hours of enjoying themselves out there before the police come to shut down the bars,' he lamented.