Easy B - still the best

Kgomotso Molelekeng
Correspondent | Thursday April 18, 2013 00:00

 

As a young boy growing up in the dusty streets of Lentswe-Le-Tau in Kweneng District, Sesopo never thought he would make a career out of being a DJ. He says he owes the realisation of this unlikely dream to his former employer, Tony Crazy Disco, who was the owner of Disco City in Broadhurst. Having been in charge of the music equipment, Easy B was motivated to learn how to mix.

'I used to help DJs who were coming in and out of the shop with selecting music to play at their functions. This showed me that I could also do it because I was good with music,' he expressed.When asked how he got the name Easy B, he explains how his former boss used to have difficulty pronouncing his first name.'Tony could not say Bannye well, so one day he just said, 'I am going to call you Easy B', the B stands for the first letter of my name.  Since then, the name has stuck with me,' he reminisces.

Easy B started DJ'ing professionally in 1995, after people recognised his talent and booked him to play at various concerts. He became a resident DJ at a club in Tlokweng where many loved him and encouraged him to even go further. Easy B remembers his first show to be at The Centre Lodge; it happened at during the era of DJ fresh and other DJ's who used to play at the lodge whom Easy B says he learned a great deal from. He said: 'I was inspired mostly by Skizo who then had just returned from the United States and taught me a lot of things about being a DJ. The other DJs who I learned a lot from are; DJ Sid, DJ Cosmo, DJ Fresh himself and one DJ who stands out from my mentors will be a Zimbabwean guy who was famously known as Eddy Ed. It is from him that I learnt that I could make a life out of this career;  this man is now a DJ for American well-known group G-Unit.'

Easy B started his own business, Monate Fela Entertainment, in 1999. It is through this company that many Batswana have had the opportunity to see their favourite local and international acts.'I brought Mafikizola before and I bring DJ Fresh here every December. I brought Malaika back then when they were still hot, I have brought Oskido, DJ Mbuso, DJ Christos here and now I am bringing Mafikizolo back again for a show in May,' he said.He believes what sets him apart from other DJs is the fact that he is also a promoter.'I am an old DJ - some even call me a legend because I have been in this industry for close to 20 years and I am still standing strong and most importantly, still offering my best. I respect my craft and I live, breath and eat it: It is my bread and butter and mostly, my life because I feel am lifeless without music,' he says.

Easy B's album released in 2009 titled, Long Over Due became an instant hit. It had smashing hits such as the popular song which many loved, Ke Nako.'I am not an artist, but I felt I had to make this album. The support I got from my fans was unbelievable and I am forever grateful,' he said.